Starting XI: Finding Nemo

Starting XI, presented by StorageMart, 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.

A pair of teams tied for third place in the Western Conference will meet for the first time on Saturday as Sporting Kansas City (10-6-6, 36 points) visits Los Angeles Football Club (10-6-6, 36 points) at Banc of California Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.

Sporting KC endured a turbulent month of July but returned to winning ways last weekend with a massive road victory over the Houston Dynamo. Manager Peter Vermes' men now turn their attention to an LAFC side that wields one of the most prolific attacks in MLS. Numbers paint a mixed picture heading into this particular fixture: Sporting KC has fared well in the state of California over the last three seasons and boasts a strong record in inaugural meetings against expansion sides, but LAFC has yet to lose at home in their short history.

2. Finding Nemo

It's official, folks: Sporting KC has acquired forward Krisztian Nemeth from the New England Revolution in exchange for $350,000 in allocation money and a first-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Nemeth, 29, returns to Sporting KC after recording 16 goals and seven assists in 33 competitive matches for the club in 2015. The forward joined Al-Gharafa SC in Qatar in 2016 and has spent the last 12 months in Major League Soccer with New England.

3. Spanish Swoop

Sporting KC announced Wednesday that the club has signed 28-year-old center back Andreu Fontas, a 10-year professional with more than 200 appearances in his native Spain. Fontas has spent each of the last five seasons with Celta Vigo in Spain’s top-flight La Liga, where he started 100 of 105 league appearances and helped the club to the semifinals of the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League. The defender developed in FC Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy alongside current Sporting KC midfielder Ilie Sanchez, playing nearly 100 matches combined for FC Barcelona B and FC Barcelona from 2008-2012.

4. Party at the Pub

All supporters are welcome to the official watch party for Saturday's matchup at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.). From 9 p.m. CT until the final whistle, No Other Pub will offer $4 Bud Light drafts and an all-you-can-eat buffet package with endless soda ($20 per person) or domestic draft beers ($30 per person). Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CT.

#LAFCvSKC watch party buffet

• Burgers
• Wings
• Cheese curds
• Southwest egg rolls
• Chips and Salsa

5. Top Teen

He might only be 16 years old, but Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gianluca Busio is already beginning to leave his mark in Major League Soccer. The Sporting KC Academy product was named among MLSsoccer.com's top five teenage talents in MLS on Thursday, just five days after becoming the third-youngest starter in league history and the second-youngest to record an assist.

6. Soccer Sunday

Following Saturday's #LAFCvSKC encounter on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus, supporters will then be treated to a star-studded tripleheader on Sunday. Toronto FC will host New York City FC at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN, D.C. United will welcome Orlando City SC at 7 p.m. CT on FS1, and FC Dallas will visit Seattle Sounders FC in the nightcap at 9 p.m. CT on FS1.

7. Radio Rewind

With tons of positive news comes tons of positive chatter, and Sports Radio 810 WHB has been at the center of it all. At the forefront, Tuesday's new episode of The Sporting KC Show saw hosts Nate Bukaty and Carter Augustine catch up with both Krisztian Nemeth and Gianluca Busio. Sporting KC captain Matt Besler then made his customary appearance on The Border Patrol, while the Kansas City Star's Sam McDowell joined The Program to break down the Nemeth trade, the arrival of Andreu Fontas and what both acquisitions mean for Sporting KC heading into the stretch run of the season.

8. Freeman Flying

Sporting KC Academy forward Tyler Freeman marked his debut for the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team with a goal in a 2-2 draw against the Costa Rica U-17s on Tuesday in San Jose, Costa Rica. Freeman was an unused substitute on Monday as the U.S. U-17s ousted rivals Mexico 1-0 in the first of four friendly matches during their two-week training camp in Costa Rica. The Shawnee, Kansas, native was given a start on Tuesday, however, and made the most of it by playing the full match and firing his side ahead with a 47th-minute penalty kick. Freeman also recorded a secondary assist on the Americans' second goal, playing playing Jahlane Forbes into space before David Arce tucked home to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead after 70 minutes.

9. No Other Bus

As part of its First Fridays Block Party celebration last week in the Crossroads, Sporting KC introduced supporters to #NoOtherBus, powered by Security Bank of Kansas City. No Other Bus, a double-decker bus transformed into the ultimate Sporting KC entertainment space, is fully decked with Sporting KC scarves, luxury lounge chairs, the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy and big-screen televisions where guests can play the EA SPORTS FIFA videogame on PlayStation 4 and Xbox. The vehicle also has DirecTV capabilities and offers free WiFi.

10. Home on the Range

Led by head coach Paulo Nagamura, the Swope Park Rangers (9-8-6, 33 points) return to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to host Portland Timbers 2 (10-10-3, 33 points) at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tied for seventh place in the USL's Western Conference, both clubs currently occupy the last two playoff spots in the division. Tickets for the match are available via SeatGeek.com or at the stadium's east box office on gameday, and the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free Adrian Zendejas bobblehead.

11. Keep Calm and EPL On

The 2018-19 English Premier League season kicks off Friday when Manchester United welcomes Leicester City for a 2 p.m. CT kickoff on NBCSN. Manchester City enter the new campaign as reigning champions and will look to fend off title challenges from the likes of Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

Games to Watch (Aug. 10-12, 2018)