Starting XI: Conquering Canada

Starting XI 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 is back in the national spotlight Friday when the club visits star-studded Toronto FC in a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff of FS1 and Sports Radio 810 WHB. On Wednesday, Manager Peter Vermes assessed his squad following this week’s international break and lauded Toronto’s mix of talent and experience. Sporting KC enters the fixture with an overwhelming upper hand in the head-to-head series, including a seven-game unbeaten streak and three straight wins at BMO Field.

To celebrate Friday’s match, all supporters are invited to the official watch party at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.). In addition to offering $5 Boulevard drafts and other drink specials, fans can enjoy one of two all-inclusive buffet options consisting of burgers, hot dogs, wings, cheese curds, soda and domestic beers.

2. Precious Point

Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday as the U.S. Men’s National Team earned a valuable point at Panama in World Cup qualifying. Christian Pulisic set up Clint Dempsey for the go-ahead goal late in the first half before the U.S. quickly conceded an equalizer to remain in fourth place in the Hexagonal standings with six matches still to play between now and October. MLSsoccer.com’s Matthew Doyle dubbed the occasion as an ugly game but a beautiful point, while Caitlin Murray of FOX Sports gave Zusi a solid assessment in her U.S. MNT player ratings.

3. Honduras Held

Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza and the Honduras Men’s National Team bounced back from a 6-0 loss to the United States with a 1-1 draw against Costa Rica on Tuesday in World Cup qualifying. Los Catrachos now sit in fifth place in the Hex, level with the U.S. on points but trailing by virtue of goal differential. Espinoza earned his 52nd cap at Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula, playing 90 minutes for the second time in four days. Espinoza, Zusi and Matt Besler — who didn’t play in either U.S. MNT this month — will be available for selection Friday against Toronto FC.

4. Belmar Bags It

Kharlton Belmar scored for the second straight match on Wednesday as the Swope Park Rangers defeated Portland Timbers 2 by a 1-0 scoreline at Children’s Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village. The Rangers have won two straight to open the 2017 campaign and boast a seven-game home winning streak dating back to last season — a streak now tied for third longest in USL history. Wednesday’s contest included starts for Sporting KC defender Erik Palmer-Brown and Tyler Pasher, who were loaned to SPR for the USL fixture.

5. Division Three

The United Soccer League made a major announcement this afternoon, unveiling its intention to launch a new Division 3 competition in 2019. The USL, which received second-division status from U.S. Soccer in January, plans to introduce the new league in two years’ time with lower minimum standards for competing clubs, as detailed by SI.com’s Brian Straus. Per a USL release, official branding for the new Division 3 league, as well as inaugural teams and preliminary competition format, will be announced this summer.

6. Schweini’s Spotlight

The Chicago Fire unveiled recently acquired midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger during a press conference on Wednesday. The World Cup-winning German comes to the Windy City with the hope of Fire supporters resting on his shoulders, but club brass have backed Schweinsteiger as “the icon of MLS in the future.” The 32-year-old arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on Tuesday night to enormous fanfare and declared his excitement for the project ahead the following day.

7. Petke Appointed

A main rival of Sporting Kansas City has a new head coach. After firing Jeff Cassar three games into the 2017 campaign, Real Salt Lake appointed Mike Petke to the position on Wednesday. Petke previously guided the New York Red Bulls to two playoff appearances in 2013 and 2014, including a Supporters’ Shield title in his first year at the helm. RSL executives outlined the reasons they chose Petke in yesterday’s press conference, chronicled by MLSsoccer.com’s Kevin Nielsen.

8. Oscar Extended

One of Major League Soccer’s most successful coaches over the last few seasons inked a contract extension with his club today. FC Dallas has signed 2016 MLS Coach of the Year Oscar Pareja to a multi-year extension, securing the services of a coach who has helped the club become the first in MLS history to reach 60 points in back-to-back campaigns in 2015 and 2016.

9. Blockbuster

Winger Kekuta Manneh swapped Vancouver Whitecaps FC for Columbus Crew SC in a blockbuster trade that was announced today. In exchange for Manneh, Vancouver will receive midfielder Tony Tchani, $225 in Targeted Allocation Money and $75,000 in General Allocaiton Money. Further terms of the trade were detailed by Alex Dowd of FOX Sports.

10. Coveted Cup

Select players from the Sporting KC Academy have begun preparations for the 2017 Generation adidas Cup, Major League Soccer's annual elite youth tournament for U-17 academy teams that showcases the best talent in the country and the future stars of MLS. Thanks to a strong qualifying campaign in October and February, Sporting KC will compete in the Championship Division among the best Academy clubs from across the globe.

The competition runs from April 7-15 at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas, where Sporting KC will begin pool play in Group B alongside LA Galaxy, German club Eintracht Frankfurt and Brazilian outfit Flamengo. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the prestigious tournament.

11. Stars of Tomorrow

Ever wondered who will replace the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s next soccer superstars? In a multifaceted Next XIs feature, ESPN FC asked its writers to pick the European players who will become household names during the next decade. Nick Miller offers a look at England, Dermot Corrigan scours over Spain, Raphael Honigstein assesses Germany, Julien Laurens scouts France, and James Horncastle examines Italy.

Games to Watch (March 31 - April 3)