Starting XI: Countdown to Ecstasy

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’s 2018 MLS campaign officially begins in 52 days — a number that builds palpable excitement after the club exited the MLS Cup Playoffs more than two months ago. In the countdown to the March 4 curtain raiser against New York City FC, fans can mark their calendars with a few important ticketing dates.

At the forefront, single-game tickets for Sporting KC’s first 10 home matches at Children’s Mercy Park will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. CT via SeatGeek.com. Sporting KC Season Ticket Members will have access to an exclusive single-game presale opportunity beginning Monday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. CT. In addition, Sporting KC has made a limited number of season tickets available for purchase. Group ticket packages for all home matches are also on sale. For ticket inquiries and more information, call 888-4KC-GOAL.

2. When Stars Collide

All 17 Sporting KC home games will see ultra-talented opponents descend on Children’s Mercy Park — perhaps none more accomplished than New York City FC’s David Villa, who visits Kansas City on March 4. But the star power doesn’t stop there. On Wednesday, SportingKC.com highlighted one major name from all 16 clubs slated to play at Children’s Mercy Park in 2018 (Minnesota United FC travels to KC twice).

3. Camp Crusader

Sporting KC center back Ike Opara joined the U.S. Men’s National Team yesterday for the start of January Camp at the National Training Center in Carson, California. Opara is representing the United States at the senior international level for the first time, and will hope to make his MNT debut when the Americans host Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, Jan. 28 at StubHub Center.

4. No Other Club

Sporting KC remains the only MLS club that has officially punched its ticket to the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. CONCACAF clarified as much earlier this week, providing further qualifying details after a peculiar scenario arose when Toronto FC won the 2017 MLS Cup.

5. SPR Assistant

The Swope Park Rangers announced Wednesday that the club has added former MLS defender Chris Martinez as an assistant coach ahead of the 2018 USLseason. Martinez rounds out head coach Paulo Nagamura’s technical staff, joining goalkeeper coach Gavin McInerney and fitness coach James Collins, who steps up from his role with the Sporting KC Academy. Joey Harty, who served as the team's fitness coach in 2017, will assist Mateus Manoel with the Sporting KC first team moving forward.

6. Good Samaritan

Sporting KC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City are teaming up once again in 2018 to recognize Blue KC Sporting Samaritans, honoring students and teachers who make the Kansas City community a better place to live, work and play. Once a month, a Samaritan will be recognized on the pitch at Children's Mercy Park before a Sporting KC home game. The Samaritan and a limited number of guests will receive a behind the scenes VIP experience with a wide variety of all-inclusive perks. Supporters can nominate members of their community to be the next Blue KC Sporting Samaritan at SportingKC.com/bluekc.

7. SuperDraft Beckons

The first two rounds of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft will take place next Friday in Philadelphia, where Sporting KC currently has the No. 13 and No. 18 selections in the first round. In the buildup to the event, MLSsoccer.com’s Matt Doyle has published his first mock draft of the year, predicting that Sporting KC will select a prolific forward and a tireless midfielder. Meanwhile, David Gass has offered up his top-five list of prospects to watch closely at the MLS Combine.

8. Kitchen Appliance

As MLS transfers continue to unfold by the day, the LA Galaxy made a notable addition this week when the club added 25-year-old U.S. international Perry Kitchen. The former MLS Rookie of the Year finalist has spent the previous two years in Europe, competing for Scottish side Heart of Midlothian and Danish club Randers.

9. Barco to ATL?

After several days of drawn out negotiations, Atlanta United FC appears set to acquire highly touted Argentine teenager Ezequiel Barco from Independiente. Atlanta is reported to be paying $15 million for the transfer of the 18 year-old, who helped El Rojo win the 2017 Copa Sudamericana championship.

10. The Growing Game

A recent Gallup Poll suggests that soccer is approaching the level of popularity enjoyed by the United States’ three most popular professional sports: football, basketball and baseball. And if age demographics are any indication, soccer could be on the path to second place. Click here for the full Gallup Poll.

11. European Affairs

Following winter breaks of differing lengths, the Spanish La Liga, French Ligue 1 and German Bundesliga resume action this weekend for the second halves of their respective 2017-18 campaigns. The English Premier League also makes a return after last weekend’s fixture list was dominated by the FA Cup. See below for a list of the best matches available on American television in the coming days.

Games to Watch (Jan. 12-15)