Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution
Tuesday, Feb. 7 — noon CT
Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Arizona
Live Updates: @SportingKC on Twitter
Sporting Kansas City battles the New England Revolution on Tuesday to close out the first leg of the club’s 2017 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy. The scrimmage will kick off at noon CT at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, with live updates available via Twitter at @SportingKC.
Manager Peter Vermes’ men are one week removed from last Tuesday’s preseason opener against the San Jose Earthquakes — a narrow 1-0 defeat incurred by Tommy Thompson’s goal in the 90th minute. Thirty players featured for Sporting Kansas City as Vermes deployed three different squads for 30 minutes each. With a deep roster available, a similar rotation may be in store against New England.
Defender Matt Besler and forward Dom Dwyer — who sat out last week’s scrimmage as a precaution — continue to train with the squad in Tucson as they make positive strides in recovering from offseason ankle surgeries.
Meanwhile, U.S. Men’s National Team duo Benny Feilhaber and Graham Zusi have joined the club following a pair of friendly appearances against Serbia and Jamaica, respectively. In Friday’s 1-0 win over Jamaica, Zusi captained the U.S. for the first time and Feilhaber, making his first international start since 2012, assisted Jordan Morris’ game-winner.
New England is coming off an abbreviated scrimmage against Croatian outfit NK Istra 1961 on Sunday. The Revolution claimed a 1-0 victory thanks to forward Tristan Bowen’s lone goal halfway through the 60-minute exhibition. Seven players who started for head coach Jay Heaps on Sunday are currently unsigned.
The Revolution are 2-0-1 during their 2017 preseason campaign, having defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 on Friday behind goals from Kei Kamara and Brian Wright. Kamara, who played for Sporting KC from 2009-2013, was also on target in New England’s 1-1 draw against expansion side Minnesota United FC on Jan. 31.
Sporting Kansas City and New England met once in 2016, resulting in a 3-1 home win for the Revs. Dwyer cancelled out Kamara’s early opener, but an own goal and a late Juan Agudelo strike cemented three points for the hosts. The sides will meet in the 2017 regular season on Sept. 16 at Children’s Mercy Park.
On Wednesday, Sporting KC will return to Kansas City for a brief recuperation period. The team will then travel back to Tucson to participate in the Desert Diamond Cup, a four-game preseason tournament running from Feb. 15-25 at Kino Sports Complex.
