Starting XI: Gold Rush

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.

Two MLS Cup contenders collide Saturday when Sporting Kansas City (8-4-9, 33 points) and the Chicago Fire (11-4-5, 38 points) renew a long-time rivalry at Children's Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM. A limited number of tickets for Saturday's showdown are available via SeatGeek.com.

Sporting KC will put a 10-game unbeaten streak on the line Saturday when they host a Chicago side that boasts four MLS All-Stars in German World Cup champion Bastian Schweinsteiger, Golden Boot leader Nemanja Nikolic, MLS veteran Dax McCarty and defender Johan Kappelhof. Both teams occupy second place in their respective conferences and will be looking to keep pace for top spot in the West and East, respectively. In addition, Manager Peter Vermes’ men are undefeated in a club-record 19 straight regular season home games dating back to June 2016. Chicago, meanwhile, is the league’s most improved team: their 11 victories are already more than their win totals from each of the previous three seasons.

2. Dom Departs

Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday traded forward Dom Dwyer to Orlando City SC in exchange for $400,000 in General Allocation Money, $500,000 in Targeted Allocation Money as well as up to $700,000 in future Allocation Money based on Dwyer’s performance. The blockbuster move set and MLS record for the most Allocation Money exchanged in a trade in MLS history.

With Dwyer now in Orlando, Sporting KC will have up to $1.6 million in Allocation Money to work with in the coming months. Manager Peter Vermes stated this week that Sporting KC still has championship aspirations in 2017 after completing the trade, giving a candid take on the realities of a salary-capped league. Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi admitted Dwyer’s exit will feel strange, but also alluded to the benefits that could come down the line with the influx of Allocation Money. And while Dwyer’s days in Kansas City are finished, the striker was sure to give Kansas City fans one last heart-felt message on his Instagram account.

3. Gerso Suspended

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has suspended Sporting KC winger Gerso for one game and issued an undisclosed fine for serious foul play that endangered the safety of an opponent in the 76th minute Sporting KC’s 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Gerso will serve the suspension during Sporting KC’s home tilt with the Chicago Fire this Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park.

Additionally, the Disciplinary Committee has found Sporting KC midfielder Ilie in violation of MLS policy regarding hands to the face, head or neck of an opponent (VIDEO). Ilie has been fined an undisclosed amount for his actions in the 47th minute of Sporting KC’s match at RSL.

4. Gold Rush

The U.S. Men's National Team was crowed champion of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-1 victory over Jamaica on Wednesday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Sporting KC defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi started and played 90 minutes along head coach Bruce Arena's back line, while Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris scored spectacular goals late in either half to give the U.S. MNT its sixth Gold Cup championship.

Altidore's stunning free kick put the U.S. in the driver's seat on the stroke of halftime, while Morris' predatory strike in the 88th minute restored the lead and ultimately decided the match, avenging the MNT's semifinal defeat to the Reggae Boyz in the 2015 Gold Cup. Besler (44 caps) becomes a two-time Gold Cup champion, having previously hoisted the trophy with a 90-minute performance in the 2013 final, while Zusi (53 caps) achieves Gold Cup glory for the first time in his international career.

5. Zusi Stars

With his first Gold Cup triumph added to his list of career honors, Graham Zusi was named to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI in the aftermath of Wednesday’s match. The right back was one of six Americans selected to the team, joining Omar Gonzalez as the only U.S. defenders on the list. Zusi appeared in four games during the U.S. MNT’s Gold Cup run — all alongside Sporting KC teammate Matt Besler — and contributed to two shutouts. Zusi and Besler played the full 90 minutes in all four appearances, including the semfinals and finals.

6. Rangers Rising

The red-hot Swope Park Rangers (12-4-2, 38 points) carry a club-record seven-game winning streak into Sunday’s home tilt against Reno 1868 FC (7-4-6, 27 points) at Children’s Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village. Tickets for the 4 p.m. CT matchup can be secured at SeatGeek.com or at the venue box office on matchday. The game will also stream live on SportingKC.com with further updates available through the club’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.

In addition to boasting a seven-game winning streak, the Rangers are unbeaten in a club-record 10 straight USL matches since the start of June. Over the last two months, Sporting KC and SPR have gone a combined 13-0-7 with zero losses.

7. Twenty Under 20

Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown was named the No. 2 player on the United Soccer League’s 20 Under 20 list, the league announced on Thursday. The exclusive designation recognizes the USL’s best young talent and is compiled through input from head coaches and technical staffs across the league.

During the first half of 2017, Palmer-Brown enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Swope Park Rangers and captained the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Sporting KC Academy product has started each of Sporting KC’s last three matches in all competitions.

8. Hollywood Beginnings

Both of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles-based clubs officially began new eras today. Los Angeles FC, set to join the league in 2018, announced the heralded Bob Bradley as the first coach in club history, while crosstown MLS goliath LA Galaxy ousted Curt Onalfo and replaced him with long-time veteran Sigi Schmid.

Bradley, 59, returns to MLS more than a decade after he left Chivas USA to become head coach of the U.S. men’s national team in 2006, a position he held until 2011. Since leaving the MNT, Bradley has led the Egyptian national team, Norwegian club Stabaek, French side Le Havre and, most recently, English Premier League outfit Swansea City.

Meanwhile, the 64-year-old Schmid is back in the MLS coaching circuit almost exactly a year after he was fired by 2016 MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC. The winningest coach in league history will take the helm at LA Galaxy after the club parted ways with first-year head coach Onalfo.

9. Must Be 21

Week 21 of the MLS regular season has arrived, highlighted by Sporting KC’s marquee matchup against the Chicago Fire as well as three nationally televised matches that carry star power and compelling storylines. With LA Galaxy’s showdown against Seattle carrying particularly strong intrigue, there are plenty of narratives to keep an eye on during the final weekend of July.

10. Block Party

Sporting KC welcomes all supporters to join the club on Friday, Aug. 4 for a First Fridays Block Party in the Crossroads near downtown Kansas City. The event will run from 6-10 p.m. CT, including free drinks, music, yard games and Sporting KC player appearances as part of a VIP experience.

In addition, Sporting KC fans in attendance will attempt to set a new world record for the largest Flip Cup competition. The current record stands at 200 people, but we like our chances of SKC Nation rewriting the history books. The Flip Cup competition will begin at 7:30 p.m. CT, and individuals aged 21 and older wishing to participate can sign up by visiting SportingKC.com/flipcup.

11. Sausage Fest

Sporting KC fans can cast their votes for the Klement’s Sporting Sausage creation that will be sold in Children’s Mercy Park from Aug. 6 through the end of the season. Each entry will receive a Klement’s coupon in the mail prior to the contest’s conclusion. A grand prize will include a year supply of Klement’s products, a $50 Price Chopper gift card, two match tickets to a Sporting Kansas City match, a team-signed soccer ball and the opportunity to watch warm-ups from the field level at Children’s Mercy Park. Visit SportingKC.com/Klements for more information and to vote.

Games to Watch (July 28-31)