SPORTING KC HIRES NATE BUKATY AS PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
Sporting Kansas City announced Monday that Nate Bukaty will be the club's play-by-play announcer for the 2015 season. Bukaty will take over as the lead voice of Sporting KC on locally televised matches and select radio broadcasts.
Bukaty has been actively involved in Sporting KC broadcasts on TV and radio for the past four years. In 2010, he hosted the Kansas City Soccer Show on Sports Radio 810 WHB. In 2012 and 2013, he attended and covered the club's preseason campaign in Orlando. He also served as a sideline reporter for SKCTV Network during the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs and was 810 WHB's play-by-play announcer for Sporting KC home matches during the 2014 season.
Bukaty graduated from the University of Kansas in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. The Kansas City native has more than 15 years of experience working in radio and television, including longtime roles with the Jayhawk Radio and TV Networks. He has served as the play-by-play voice for the Kansas women's basketball team for the past 14 years and a sideline commentator for Kansas football since 2006.
Since 2007, Bukaty has co-hosted The Border Patrol on Sports Radio 810-WHB. He previously worked on the Royals Radio Network, leading the Kansas City Royals pregame and postgame coverage. He also served as a clubhouse reporter for Royals television broadcasts on Fox Sports Kansas City.
SPORTING PARK TO HOST U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM IN JULY
Sporting Park will host an international doubleheader featuring the United States Men's National Team on July 13 during the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage, CONCACAF announced Tuesday. The tournament is the premier competition for the United States in 2015 and the region's marquee event, which will help determine CONCACAF's representatives at the Centennial Cup America in 2016 and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.
The U.S. Men's National Team, which features Sporting KC Designated Players Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, returns to Sporting Park for the fourth time. Next summer's match will mark the sixth time a U.S. Men's or Women's National Team has played at the award-winning venue since it opened in June 2011, more than any other stadium during that time period.
Sporting KC Season Ticket Members interested in purchasing tickets for the Gold Cup doubleheader at Sporting Park will have access to an exclusive pre-sale prior to the general public. Additionally, individuals who place deposits for season tickets or group tickets for the 2015 season will also receive priority consideration during the pre-sale opportunity.
SPORTING KC SIGNS DEFENDER JALIL ANIBABA
Sporting KC signed 26-year-old defender Jalil Anibaba last Friday after acquiring his rights from Orlando City SC. Anibaba was selected in the third round of the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft by Orlando City SC last Wednesday and was subsequently traded to Sporting KC as part of an agreement reached last Monday between the two clubs.
Anibaba made 112 regular season appearances over four years with the Chicago Fire (2011-2013) and Seattle Sounders FC (2014). He has recorded four goals and six assists while splitting time as a central defender and right back. He signed a new contract with Major League Soccer on Friday and has been added to Sporting KC's senior roster for the 2015 season.
His first three professional seasons came with the Chicago Fire, who drafted Anibaba in the first round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft after he was named MVP at the 2011 MLS Player Combine. He played in 96 of the team's 102 regular season matches from 2011-2013, appearing in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final and being named a finalist for Major League Soccer's Fair Play Award in 2013.
SPORTING KC SIGNS MIDFIELDER JAMES MARCELIN
Sporting KC announced the signing of Haitian Men’s National Team midfielder James Marcelin on Tuesday. Marcelin has been added to the team’s roster for the 2015 season and will occupy an international roster spot.
Marcelin made 39 appearances in Major League Soccer over two seasons split between the Portland Timbers (2011-2012) and FC Dallas (2012). He most recently played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League, making 15 appearances (including postseason) since signing in July and starting in the league final, Soccer Bowl 2014, last month.
The 28-year-old midfielder has represented Haiti in numerous international competitions during his professional career, including Olympic (2008) and World Cup (2010, 2014) qualifying and the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2007, 2009).
GROUP TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 2015 SEASON AT SPORTING PARK
Sporting KC is now accepting deposits for groups of 20 or more to attend home matches at Sporting Park in 2015. Those interested are encouraged to act now due to high demand and limited availability. Individuals can contact a group sales representative by phone at 913-387-3400 or by completing the online registration form.
Group deposits start at $300 and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis to secure priority consideration for preferred seating areas, game dates and requested matchday amenities. Accommodations are limited and advance reservations are required.
Sporting Park has sold out 53 straight MLS matches (including postseason) dating back to 2012. The stadium will feature unique premium hospitality options specifically tailored to group experiences in 2015, including indoor/outdoor seating, all-inclusive food/drink, pre-match tailgating and on-field VIP experiences.
The highly anticipated 2015 Major League Soccer season will run from March through October with Sporting KC playing 17 regular season home matches. The two-time MLS Cup champions will celebrate their 20th season with a move to the Western Conference, guaranteeing home dates against the LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC—the top three teams in the West this season—who feature the likes of MVP finalists Robbie Keane and Obafemi Martins and U.S. Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey.
SPORTING CLUB AND WWI MUSEUM TO CO-HOST SECOND ANNUAL TRUCE TOURNAMENT
Sporting Club and the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial will host the second annual Truce Tournament next Friday, Dec. 26. The Kansas City soccer community is invited to participate in the 3v3 tournament that will be played on Liberty Hill and attend an English Premier League Watch Party inside the WWI Museum.
Following a tradition that began last year, the 2014 Truce Tournament comes on the 100th Anniversary of World War I and pays homage to the time-honored story of the Christmas Truce. According to legend, WWI battles temporarily ceased around Christmas 1914 as members of both warring armies ventured into No Man’s Land to exchange gifts, sing carols and play soccer.
Registration for the event is open through tomorrow, Dec. 18, at www.TheTruceKC.com. Click here for more information on the Truce Tournament.
SPORTING STYLE POP-UP STORE OPEN THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE
For the holiday season, Sporting Style has opened a pop-up store in the Boulevard Members Club at Sporting Park. The pop-up store will be open through next Wednesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and parking is available in Lot D (click here for directions). Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Please note: the pop-up store will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 18 and Saturday, Dec. 20.
All purchases made in-store today or Friday, Dec. 19 over $30 will qualify for a free four-pack of Red Bull. For more information on the pop-up store and all the deals this holiday season, visit SportingKC.com/SportingStyle and follow @SportingStyle on Twitter.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR SATURDAY'S NCAA D-II FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SPORTING PARK
Minnesota State-Mankato and Colorado State-Pueblo will battle for the NCAA Division II Football Championship this Saturday at Sporting Park (3 p.m., ESPN2). In the first football game ever to be contested at the state-of-the-art stadium, both universities are playing for a first national championship in school history. Tickets for the game can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com while supplies last.
Hosted by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Associations and the Kansas City Sports Commission, the NCAA Division II championship game will be held at Sporting Park for the next four years.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC ONLINE
Sporting KC fans looking to keep up with the club online now have a place to go. The Social Media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players and several staff members. Fans may also take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage.
