Sporting Kansas City earned a vital 3-2 victory at Real Salt Lake on Saturday to set up a dramatic Decision Day next weekend in the Western Conference as five teams are currently chasing the conference's final three playoff berths. Two of those teams - Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United FC, both tied on 41 points - will meet on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Children's Mercy Park in a scintillating showdown on the final day of the regular season.
In the interim, only three MLS matches -- all rescheduled from earlier dates -- will be played during the FIFA international window from Oct. 9-17. Most notably, FC Dallas can clinch one of the three remaining playoff berths in the Western Conference with a victory over the Colorado Rapids this Saturday night.
FOUR PLAYERS TO VISIT LOCAL SCHOOLS
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and four Sporting players will make special appearances at local schools this week as part of the Red Card KC anti-bullying campaign established by Sporting KC and Children's Mercy. On Monday, Kayden Pierre will visit Forest Spring Middle School (18701 W. 191st St.) in Spring Hill, Kansas. On Tuesday, Kendall McIntosh will speak with students at St. Thomas More School (11800 Holmes Rd.) in Kansas City, Missouri. On Wednesday, Enzo Mauriz will be in attendance at Prairie Point Elementary School (8101 NW Belvidere Pkwy.) in Kansas City, Missouri. On Thursday, Roger Espinoza will continue the campaign at Spring Hill Middle School (301 E. South St.) in Spring Hill, Kansas.
SPECIAL FAN APPRECIATION OFFERS AT SPORTING STYLE
In the buildup to Fan Appreciation Night at Children's Mercy Park in conjunction with Sporting Kansas City's regular season home finale on Oct. 21, SportingStyle is offering Fan Appreciation specials throughout the next two weeks. Starting today and continuing through Wednesday, all scarves and accessories will be 50% off followed by 35% off all men's apparel on Friday and Saturday. Beginning Sunday, fans can purchase secondary jerseys at 50% off with free customization.
Fans can also take advantage of 25% off top brands at MLSstore.com  until 10:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday (terms and exclusions apply), including more than 750 Sporting Kansas City items in men's, women's and children's sizes.Â
JOHN PULSKAMP JOINS US OLYMPIC TEAM
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp has joined the U.S. Men's Olympic National Team for a domestic training camp in Phoenix highlighted by a match against Mexico at 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium. Pulskamp is part of a U-23 squad that will train in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games next summer in France.
CHILDREN'S MERCY PARK TO HOST PITCH BLACK ON FRIDAY
The recipients of the 2023 Sporting Club Awards will be announced on Friday during Pitch Black presented by Audi at Children's Mercy Park. First held in 2013, Pitch Black is an annual end-of-season event in which the club welcomes fans of all ages alongside Sporting Kansas City players and coaches for a night of drinks, dining and live entertainment. This year’s black-tie celebration will take place from 6-11 p.m. and will culminate with an after party presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
SKC ACADEMY TEAMS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND AT SWOPE
The Sporting KC Academy U-19s will continue the UPSL season against the Arkansas Wolves at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday at Swope Soccer Village (6310 Lewis Rd.) in Kansas City, Missouri in a match-up of the only two unbeaten teams in the OK-AR conference. In addition, the U-14s, U-15s and U-17s will host GFI Academy on Sunday in an MLS NEXT doubleheader kicking off at 10 a.m. CT at Swope Soccer Village.  Fans can follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for updates throughout the year.
