Starting XI: Bonjour, Yohan

Starting XI, presented by Ford, is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.

Sporting KC announced Friday that the club has acquired 25-year-old French midfielder Yohan Croizet in a transfer from Belgian side KV Mechelen. Croizet has signed as a Designated Player on a contract through 2020 with an option for 2021. The France native has scored 31 goals in more than 200 professional appearances across Europe. He joins Sporting KC after spending each of the last three seasons in the top-flight Belgian First Division A, where he has tallied 12 goals and 11 assists since 2015.

2. Khiry Comes, Too

A day before signing Croizet, Sporting KC acquired forward Khiry Shelton from New York City FC in exchange for defender Saad Abdul-Salaam. Shelton has been added to the Sporting KC roster, which includes 25 players under contract for 2018.

Shelton, 24, began his professional career at New York City FC, where he recorded six goals and 10 assists over three seasons. The 6-foot-3 attacker enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign in 2016, tallying four goals and finishing second on the team with nine assists in 22 MLS matches.

3. Hard Deadline

In celebration of a long-standing Boxing Day tradition, Sporting KC, the National World War I Museum and Memorial and The Soccer Lot will host The Truce 3v3 Soccer Tournament next Tuesday, Dec. 26. The fifth annual Truce Tournament will take place on scenic Liberty Hill, and the final day to register is tomorrow. Recreational, Competitive and Beer divisions are available for entry, and all teams are guaranteed three games. Complimentary breakfast is included on-site for all teams who register. Click here to register a team.

4. Poppin’ Deals

Today through Saturday, fans can enjoy 20 percent off all full-priced merchandise at the SportingStyle Pop-In Store at Children's Mercy Park. The Pop-In Store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, giving Sporting KC supporters one final week to knock out their holiday shopping.

Can't make it to the Pop-In Store this week during business hours? Shopping from the comfort of home just got a whole lot easier with the SportingStyle Holiday Lookbook + Gift Guide. Browse through the Lookbook below and place your merchandise orders by calling 913-912-7563 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT or emailing Stylist@SportingKC.com.

5. Mobile Mini Matchups

Sporting KC on Friday announced that the club will play four games at the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup in February. The preseason tournament in Arizona highlights the team’s second leg of preseason, presented by Children's Mercy, which runs from Feb. 9-25.

Manager Peter Vermes’ men will open the tournament on Feb. 14 against New York Red Bulls before facing hosts Phoenix Rising FC on Feb. 17. The following week, Sporting KC will battle the New England Revolution on Feb. 21 before playing a final placement game on Feb. 24.

6. Trending Up

It’s safe to say Sporting KC left a lasting impression in 2017. Google this week announced its top 10 trending MLS teams of 2017 as part of their annual "Year in Search," shining the spotlight on the people, topics, places and events that drew the most attention throughout the year. Sporting KC ranks fourth on the list of top trending MLS clubs.

7. Course to the Top

Sporting KC assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin completed the second annual U.S. Soccer Pro License Coaching Course on Friday in Chicago. Zavagnin was one of 17 professional coaches from Major League Soccer, North American Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League, United Soccer League, and the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams to finish a 12-month journey that began in January.

8. Brotherly Love

Major League Soccer announced today that the 2018 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas will take place on Jan. 19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Sporting KC currently holds four picks in next month’s SuperDraft, including two in the first round (No. 13 and 18 overall) and two in the fourth and final round (No. 75 and 82 overall).

9. Thanks but No Thanks

Sporting KC passed with the 12th pick in Stage 1 of the 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft on Friday afternoon, which keeps the club’s roster at 25 players under contract for 2018. The 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft concludes Thursday with Stage 2 taking place at 1 p.m. CT. Click here for the Re-Entry Draft rules.

10. CCL Draw

The five MLS clubs competing in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League will learn their Round of 16 opponents tonight at 6 p.m. CT. when the confederation holds the official draw for the reformatted tournament. The Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC will all be drawin into a Round of 16 tie, with the competition set to kick off in February.

11. Portland Appoints Savarese

The Portland Timbers announced Giovanni Savarese as the club’s new head coach this afternoon. The former MLS veteran succeeds Caleb Porter, who departed the Timbers following the 2017 campaign. Savarese had served as head coach of the New York Cosmos for the previous five seasons, where he won three NASL titles and made four NASL championship game appearances.

Games to Watch (Dec. 19-20)