Starting XI: For the Glory of the City

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 will begin the 2018 MLS season against New York City FC at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, March 4, Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT as Sporting KC hosts its earliest home opener in club history against a New York City FC side that finished second in the Supporters’ Shield standings in 2017.

Tickets for Sporting KC’s 2018 curtain raiser, as well as other single-game tickets at Children’s Mercy Park, will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, Feb. 1. Sporting KC Season Ticket Members will also have access to an exclusive pre-sale for single-game tickets.

2. Save on Swag

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 opportunity 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.

3. For the Glory of the City

The glory-stricken moments of Sporting KC’s 2017 campaign are all in one, easy-to-watch place. Sit back and enjoy Behind The Shield: Best of the 2017 Season as Manager Peter Vermes’ men painted the wall for the fourth time in a five-year span.

4. MLS in the Music City

It’s official: Major League Soccer is coming to Nashville, Tennessee. MLS held a banner event Wednesday afternoon at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame, formally awarding the city an expansion team that could join the league as early as 2019. Nashville was one of 12 cities to submit formal bids in January to be awarded one of four available MLS expansion slots. The MLS club has plans to play in a new, 27,500-seat soccer stadium at the Fairgrounds Nashville.

5. Where to Next?

On the heels of Wednesday’s announcement in Nashville, MLS Commissioner Don Garber clarified that more news could be on the way. He suggested that an expansion club such as Nashville joining in 2019 is a possibility, with the remaining pair of teams potentially opening in 2020 or 2021.

"Tomorrow, we're going to announce what our timing is to name the second expansion team that'll join Nashville,” Garber said. “We are also making a lot of progress in Miami, and we're hopeful that we're going to be able to bring that team over the finish line. That will bring three new teams into the league and we need to figure out how we're going to stage those teams."

6. Eight Ball

The United States Soccer Federation officially announced eight candidates to succeed outgoing president Sunil Gulati on Wednesday afternoon. One of the eight candidates will be chosen at U.S. Soccer’s annual meeting in February. The approximately 550 voters are representatives of the youth, adult, pro and athletes councils, as well as board members, life members and a fan representative.

• Paul Caligiuri, a youth coach and a former U.S. international player
• Kathy Carter, the president of Soccer United Marketing
• Carlos Cordeiro, the U.S. Soccer vice president
• Steve Gans, a Boston lawyer
• Kyle Martino, a former U.S. international and NBC Sports analyst
• Hope Solo, a former goalkeeper for the U.S. WNT
• Michael Winograd, an attorney and former player in Israel
• Eric Wynalda, a former U.S. international and current FOX Sports analyst

7. Blanc Slate

Over the weekend, former France and PSG manager Laurent Blanc claimed that he turned down an offer from U.S. Soccer to coach the men's national team. Earlier this week, however, U.S. Soccer president Sunil said U.S. Soccer has not approached Blanc about coaching the U.S. MNT, stating: “We have not had any formal discussions with any possible candidates at this point in our coaching search.” In the meantime, interim coach Dave Sarachan will continue to oversee the U.S. for its January camp, which kicks off on Jan. 10 and ends with a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan. 28.

8. El Clasico Beckons

Arguably the greatest club rivalry in world soccer resumes Saturday at 6 a.m. CT on beIN SPORTS when Real Madrid hosts FC Barcelona. The Spanish giants have ruled the continent for the better part of the last decade, combining to win seven of the last 12 UEFA Champions League titles. Fourth-place Real Madrid enters the fixture in a must-win situation, trailing leaders Barcelona by 11 points in the La Liga table. Cristiano Ronaldo remains a question mark with a calf injury ahead of the match, but Lionel Messi is good to go as Barcelona look to extend their lead.

9. Frenzied Fixture List

Fans of the English Premier League can fasten their seatbelts over the next fortnight. Every club in England’s top flight is preparing to play four EPL fixtures in the space of 10-12 days, making for a delightful schedule of TV programming in the U.S. and around the world. And while the busy holiday slate is an absolute joy for supporters, the clubs themselves may have a gripe or two as they navigate such a pivotal part of the season.

10. A Century of Stars

Who are the 100 greatest soccer players in the world? Everyone has a different take, of course, but no one has crafted an exhaustive list at the end of 2017 quite like ESPN FC. With more than 60 voters spanning regions around the world, ESPN has broken down the game's top players by position for the most authoritative and comprehensive list yet.

11. Good Samaritans

Shawnee's Trailridge Middle School brought two hometown heroes together last week when Sporting KC captain Matt Besler recognized PE teacher Larry Benson for his impact in the community. Benson was honored as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan in May. To nominate a star in the community as a Sporting Samaritan in 2018, visit SportingKC.com/BlueKC.

Games to Watch (Dec. 22-23)