Starting XI: The Final Countdown

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.

1. Like the City Can’t Hold Us

The “We. Together.” Season Kickoff Party is just around the corner, bringing Sporting KC players and fans together to celebrate the beginning of the 2017 MLS campaign. Tuesday’s event will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on The Green Roof, a rooftop park turned soccer field located at 1220 Walnut St. in downtown Kansas City. All supporters planning to attend must RSVP at sportingkc.com/rsvp. The party highlights a day full of interactive activities in the Power & Light District.

2. The Final Countdown

During the week leading up to Sporting Kansas City's season opener on Saturday at D.C. United, SportingKC.com will visit five prominent storylines heading into the club's 2017 campaign. The Countdown to MLS began Monday, detailing the defensive depth Manager Peter Vermes has at his disposal.

3. Onto the Real Thing

Sporting KC closed out the 2017 preseason on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 defeat to New York City FC. Despite the result, Vermes was pleased with the progress his team made during the extended stay in Tucson, which saw 36 different players appear in a preseason match. Postgame, the Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell was quick to turn attention ahead to Saturday’s MLS regular season opener at D.C. United.

4. Joya and Volesky Waived

Sporting Kansas City announced Monday that the club has waived midfielder Benji Joya and forward Christian Volesky. The move brings Sporting Kansas City’s roster to 26 players heading into Saturday’s curtain raiser at D.C. Visit SportingKC.com/tracker for a full list of the club’s offseason roster moves.

5. Messed With Mexico

Homegrown defender Erik Palmer-Brown captained the U.S. U-20s to a pivotal 1-0 victory over Mexico in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship on Monday, scoring the game-winning goal and contributing to the shutout effort. The 19-year-old headed home in the 29th minute to secure the U-20s' first win against Mexico since 1986 and put the United States on the brink of qualification for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May. The U-20s can punch a ticket to the CONCACAF U-20 Championship final with a win over El Salvador on Friday, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. CT on CONCACAF’s Facebook page.

6. Hot Off the Press

Fans looking to get their hands on Sporting KC’s new primary jersey will have their first chance on Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the Power & Light District. The SportingStyle x adidas container pop-up store will be open near the No Other Pub entrance on 13th St. and Grand Blvd, while MLSstore.com will have the jersey available beginning at 11 a.m.

Fans can also visit the SportingStyle Pop-In Store at Children’s Mercy Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, or purchase the new jersey at the No Other Pub watch party when Sporting KC plays D.C. United on Saturday.

7. #Dress4SKC

MLS is back, and so too is #Dress4SKC. Sporting Kansas City wants you to wear your club colors throughout opening weekend, showing MLS why the league's best fans reside in KC. Whether you're donning a jersey at work, cheering in the stands, or watching from around the world, now's your chance to put your Sporting KC pride on full display. Click here for contest rules, as one grand-prize winner will receive a trip for two to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game and 23 other winners will receive a $100 gift card to use at MLSstore.com or any official online club store.

8. Rangers Romp

The Swope Park Rangers continued preparations for the 2017 USL campaign with a 5-0 preseason win against the University of Tulsa on Sunday at Swope Soccer Village. Goals from Robert Mirosavic, Nansel Selbol, Kharlton Belmar, Leroy Enzugusi and Louis Bennett highlighted the rout as SPR claimed their second straight 5-0 triumph to open the preseason.

The Rangers now turn their attention to Thursday, when they will travel to face NASL side Indy Eleven at 1 p.m. CT Thursday at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Indiana. Follow @SwopeRangers on Twitter for live updates.

9. Young Studs

Sporting KC Academy defender Jaylin Lindsey and midfielder Grayson Barber have linked up with the U.S. U-17s for a pair of friendlies at Honduras, which will be played today and Thursday in San Pedro Sula. The camp is part of the U.S. U-17s’ preparation for the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where the USA was drawn with Jamaica, Mexico and El Salvador in Group C. The competition serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, which will take place in October.

10. What are You Looking At, Ref?

Major League Soccer referees will focus on four new points of emphasis throughout the 2017 MLS regular season, as outlined by PRO manager Peter Walton on Friday: holding and pushing in the penalty area, acts of visual dissent, delayed restarts and persistent infringement. Walton also discussed offseason changes to the Laws of the Game, which were recently established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and will be implemented in MLS for the first time this season.

11. Descent on Dallas

Away ticket requests are now open for one of the most popular Roaddrons of the year. Sporting KC travels to face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on April 22, and all supporters looking to attend can click here to fill out the online form before the deadline on April 7.

Games to Watch (Feb. 28 - March 2)