SPORTING KC TO HOST RIVALS CHICAGO FIRE ON FRIDAY
Sporting KC’s penultimate home match of the 2014 regular season comes against the Chicago Fire this Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised locally on KMCI 38 The Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV, with Spanish radio coverage available on La Gran D 1340 AM. A limited number of tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, and the first 5,000 fans inside the stadium will receive Sporting KC earbuds courtesy of Pepsi.
The reigning MLS champions (13-11-7, 46 points) are third in the Eastern Conference standings, two points behind second place New England Revolution and six behind leaders D.C. United. A combination of results this weekend would see Sporting KC qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. A postseason berth will be clinched if:
- Sporting KC defeats Chicago on Friday and the Columbus Crew loses on Saturday at the Philadelphia Union, or
- Sporting KC defeats Chicago on Friday and Toronto FC earns two or fewer total points against the Houston Dynamo tonight and the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
The Chicago Fire (5-8-18, 33 points) set an MLS record last Sunday with their 18th draw of the season, a 0-0 stalemate against Montreal that eliminated them from playoff contention. Frank Yallop's side is ninth in the Eastern Conference but has lost just once in five visits to Sporting Park and holds a 25-12-11 advantage in the all-time series. The Fire are led by forward Quincy Amarikwa (eight goals, five assists) and MLS Rookie of the Year candidate Harry Shipp (six goals, six assists).
SPORTING KC AND IVY FUNDS EXTEND PARTNERSHIP
Sporting KC announced on Monday that the club’s marquee partnership with Ivy Funds has been extended through the 2022 season. Ivy Funds became the team’s jersey sponsor and Sporting Club’s official investment management partner in January 2013.
The partnership between Ivy Funds – headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas – and MLS Cup champions Sporting KC aligns two companies based in Kansas City that have a national presence in their respective industries. Both have substantially increased their businesses’ revenues, overall value and brand awareness in recent years with an aggressive approach toward future growth opportunities.
The sponsorship agreement between Ivy Funds and Sporting Kansas City is a multi-faceted and fully integrated partnership. In addition to serving as the jersey sponsor for Sporting Kansas City and its four youth Academy teams, Ivy Funds will continue as the naming rights partner for the Ivy Funds Executive Level at Sporting Park.
Click here for more information about the partnership.
VOTING OPEN FOR ANNUAL SPORTING KC AWARDS
Voting is open for Sporting KC’s annual team awards, to be presented at the club’s Pitch Black celebration this Saturday at Sporting Park. Fans can vote online at SportingKC.com/vote through 11:59 p.m. CT tomorrow.
Pitch Black, presented by Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City, will welcome fans alongside Sporting Kansas City players and coaches for a night of drinks, dining and live entertainment on the field at Sporting Park from 7-11 p.m. CT on Saturday. A portion of the event's ticket sales will go to The Victory Project in its mission to help children thrive through life’s challenges.
Sporting KC will recognize award winners in 10 categories, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Goal of the Year.
SPORTING CLUB NETWORK ADDS NEW ACADEMY AFFILIATE
Northeast United Soccer Club of Hannibal, Missouri has officially signed on as the 12th Academy Affiliate in the Sporting Club Network. Re-branded as Sporting Northeast United Soccer Club, SNUSC is now the fourth Academy Affiliate in the state of Missouri.
Since 2009, Northeast United has been one of the most successful Futsal Academies in their region, providing supplemental training and development to players from more than two hours away. In addition, the club has always made a point to involve international student-athletes from nearby universities in an effort to provide a holistic approach to developing the next generation of soccer players in this country. Sporting Northeast United plans to continue to deliver these results in a unique environment, while adding a host of new benefits to their participants and staff now available to them as the newest Academy Affiliate.
Click here for more information.
SPORTING KC AND D.C. UNITED BATTLE TO SCORELESS DRAW AT RFK STADIUM
Sporting KC snapped D.C. United's five-game home winning streak at RFK Stadium last Friday with a 0-0 draw against the Eastern Conference leaders. Goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum matched his career-high with seven saves in the shutout as Sporting KC earned their first road draw of the season. The result leaves Sporting KC in third place in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining. With the point, D.C. United is the first team in the East to clinch a berth in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs. Ben Olsen's club remains six points ahead of Sporting KC after finishing in last place last season.
One of the game's best scoring chances fell to Sporting KC in the 76th minute. Seth Sinovic lofted a diagonal pass beyond the back post to Dom Dwyer, who placed a header into the path of C.J. Sapong just outside the six-yard box. Sapong snapped his header low and on target, but Bill Hamid reacted quickly to make the save.
MATT BESLER EARNS TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORS
Sporting KC captain Matt Besler earned MLS Team of the Week recognition from multiple publications on Monday after a strong defensive performance in Sporting KC’s 0-0 draw at D.C. United last Friday. MLSsoccer.com, Goal.com, Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report each named Besler to their respective squads. The U.S. international led all players in Week 30 with eight interceptions and nine clearances as the reigning MLS champions secured their second straight road clean sheet against the Eastern Conference leaders. His eight interceptions were most by a Sporting KC player in a single game this year.
Besler's excellent showing came on a night when he took sole possession of seventh place on the club’s all-time list with 143 regular season starts. Should he feature this Friday against the Chicago Fire, he will move into a tie for eighth all-time with 149 regular season games played for the club.
ANDY GRUENEBAUM NOMINATED FOR MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK
Goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum made the most of his return to Sporting KC’s starting lineup last Friday, matching a career-high with seven saves and notching an MLS Save of the Week nominee in a 0-0 draw at D.C. United. Fans can vote for Gruenebaum at MLSsoccer.com until 1:59 a.m. CT Friday.
Starting his 10th match of the year and fifth consecutive road game, Gruenebaum extended the club’s road shutout streak to 217 minutes with his 20th career MLS clean sheet. Four of his saves came against Argentine forward Fabian Espindola, highlighted by an acrobatic stop on an attempt from the top of the penalty box in the 28th minute.
LEGENDS OUTLETS TO HOST SPORTING KC AUTOGRAPH DAY TONIGHT
The Legends Outlets in Kansas City, Kansas will host Sporting KC Autograph Day featuring rookies Michael Kafari and Victor Munoz from 6-7:30 p.m. CT tonight. The event will be held by the Legends Outlets Smokestack, near Cold Stone Creamery. All in attendance can enter for a chance to win tickets to Friday's match at Sporting park.
ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR EIGHT NATIONS COMPETING IN CONCACAF WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP AT SPORTING PARK
The rosters for all eight teams competing in the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship have been announced, with the first round of group stage matches kicking off next Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 15-16) at Sporting Park. The 20-player roster of the No. 1 ranked U.S. Women’s National Team features Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Holiday and Becky Sauerbrunn of FC Kansas City as well as veterans Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo.
The USWNT will face Trinidad and Tobago at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday. All eight nations, including regional rival Mexico, will begin their World Cup qualifying campaigns at Sporting Park during doubleheaders on consecutive days. Single-day tickets for each match-day doubleheader are on sale at ussoccer.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
From Kansas City, all eight teams will move to Toyota Park, where the Group A doubleheader matches will take place on October 17, and Group B matches on October 18. The teams will finish first round play at RFK Stadium with Group A doubleheader games on October 20, and Group B on October 21.
The top three teams from the tournament will directly qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next summer, while the fourth place finisher will advance to a playoff.
2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship matches at Sporting Park:
• Game 1: Guatemala vs. Haiti – Oct. 15 (5 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 2: USA vs. Trinidad and Tobago – Oct. 15 (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 3: Jamaica vs. Martinique – Oct. 16 (5 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
• Game 4: Costa Rica vs. Mexico – Oct. 16 (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Sports 2)
JORGE CLAROS JOINS HONDURAS MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM FOR UPCOMING FRIENDLIES
Midfielder Jorge Claros joined the Honduras Men's National Team on Saturday for a pair of upcoming friendlies. Honduras will play at Mexico tomorrow (8 p.m. CT, ESPN2) in Chiapas before traveling to Boca Raton, Florida to face the United States on Tuesday (7 p.m. CT, ESPN, UniMas).
A World Cup veteran, Claros has featured 53 times for Honduras at the senior level and appeared in all three group stage matches for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Sporting KC acquired Claros in July from Honduran club Motagua. He has since played in 11 matches in all competitions, including all three 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League group stage matches.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2014 BIG 12 SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Tickets for the 2014 Big 12 Soccer Championship are now available at Big12sports.com/buytickets or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. The Championship will take place Nov. 5, 7 and 9 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City. Day passes are on sale for $9 with three-day tournament passes available for $14. A 15-ticket group package is also available for $90.
Sporting Club and the University of Kansas will again co-host this year’s championship, which will feature the Big 12’s top eight teams competing for the Conference’s postseason title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
SPORTING KC AND FRITO LAY TEAM UP FOR MONTH-LONG CONTEST
Sporting KC and Frito Lay have partnered for a month-long contest, giving supporters the opportunity to win an autographed soccer ball plus tickets to Pitch Black on Saturday or tickets to Sporting KC's regular season finale on Oct. 26. Fans can enter the contest by taking a photo with their favorite bag of Frito Lay chips while wearing Sporting KC apparel and sharing the photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SKCFritoFan. The engagement will continue through Monday, Oct. 20, with four winners randomly selected at the end of each of week of the contest.
SPORTING KC AND THE VICTORY PROJECT BEGIN 'RECYCLE YOUR GAME' CAMPAIGN
Sporting KC, The Victory Project and the Sporting Club Network have kicked off the Fall 2014 campaign for Recycle Your Game. Throughout the month of October, fans will have the opportunity to donate new or gently-used soccer equipment in an effort to provide youth in under-served communities the chance to play the game.
Fans will have numerous opportunities at various locations to donate their gear throughout the month of October and, in exchange, will be rewarded with a coupon for 10 percent off of merchandise at any Sporting Style location at Sporting Park. Fans are encouraged to donate at the following events/locations:
- Friday, Oct. 10 at Sporting Park: collection points outside the Boulevard Members Club and on the Sprint Plaza
- Sporting Kansas City’s downtown offices: 1511 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108
- KCP&L’s downtown offices: 1200 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
- Sporting Blue Valley office at the Overland Park Soccer Complex: 13700 Switzer Road, Overland Park, KS 66221
SPORTING CLUB NETWORK NAMES ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS
On Monday, Sporting St. Croix and El Padrino were named Sporting Club Network Academy Affiliate of the Year and Sporting Club Network Club of the Year, respectively.
Minnesota-based Sporting St. Croix, despite being the furthest Academy Affiliate from Kansas City, consistently participated in Academy events and embraced a re-branding process during its first year as an affiliate. El Padrino teamed up with Soccer Nation and unveiled a new, two-field indoor complex, and supported the planned construction of new futsal courts throughout Wyandotte County. Both clubs will be formally recognized during Saturday’s Pitch Black awards ceremony in conjunction with Sporting KC’s annual team awards.
SPORTING CLUB RELEASES NEW CLOTHING LINE
Sporting Club has released its new fashion line for the defending MLS champions, offering fans an extensive selection of new clothing and merchandise. The Sporting Club brand is available for purchase on Sporting Style’s website and at Sporting KC’s remaining five home games while supplies last.
JOSTENS RELEASES SPORTING KC FAN COLLECTION
Jostens, the leading national custom jewelry designer and producer, has unveiled a fan collection to celebrate Sporting KC’s 2013 MLS Cup championship. Items available in the collection include fan rings (men’s and women’s), championship fan paperweights, fan pendants, key rings and championship posters. All can be purchased online at Jostens.com/sportingkc.
Founded in 1897, Jostens has produced championship rings for professional sports teams and athletes for more than 60 years. In addition to creating Sporting KC’s 2000 and 2013 MLS Cup championship rings, Jostens has worked with other Kansas City-area professional sports organizations including the Kansas City Chiefs for their NFL Super Bowl IV Championship rings.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR NCAA D-II FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AT SPORTING PARK
Tickets are on sale to the general public for the NCAA Division II Football Championship to be played at Sporting Park on Dec. 20. Hosted by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Associations and the Kansas City Sports Commission, the championship game will be held inside the state-of-the-art stadium for the next four years. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com while supplies last.
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.
