With a long offseason in the rearview mirror, it's time for Manager Peter Vermes and Co. to get the show on the road.
Sporting Kansas City will kick off the highly anticipated 2021 MLS season on Saturday night, visiting the New York Red Bulls in a compelling inter-conference clash at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT with live coverage on Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
In one of several Sporting media appearances this week, 21-year-old defender Jaylin Lindsey joined Shades of Blue podcast hosts Thad Bell and Cody Bradley to preview what is sure to be a season that entertains and compels from beginning to end. Listen to the full podcast below.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Lindsey moved to Kansas City to join the Sporting KC Academy in 2015 and hasn't looked back since. He signed an MLS contract as a Homegrown Player as a 17-year-old in September 2017 before starting nine of 10 appearances in all competitions during a successful 2018 campaign that saw Sporting finish atop the Western Conference standings. After missing most of 2019 through injury, the outside back was available for the duration of 2020 and started 13 of 14 matches last year, including both playoff contests at Children's Mercy Park.
With veteran Graham Zusi still rehabbing his foot injury, Lindsey stands a great chance of starting at right back in the early stages of 2021 and using that opportunity to become a mainstay. It should be noted that he can also play as a left back, a task he has handled impressively under Vermes in the past.
In conjunction with Saturday's opener, Sporting fans are invited to attend an outdoor watch party at Children’s Mercy Park when the club hosts its Season Kickoff presented by Michelob Ultra. Supporters can secure their free ticket to the Season Kickoff at SeatGeek.com or the SeatGeek app, with stadium gates opening at 5:30 p.m. CT and select concessions and SportingStyle locations open to guests. The watch party will utilize distanced outdoor seating in the stadium bowl with the match shown on the north and south videoboards. Face coverings will be mandatory for all in attendance.
