Starting XI: Here Comes the Sun

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 Kansas City used first-half goals from Ilie and Daniel Salloi to post a 2-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex, staying unbeaten during the club’s 2018 preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy. The Mobile Mini Sun Cup victory improved Sporting KC’s preseason record to 4-0-1 with two friendlies still to play before Manager Peter Vermes’ men kick off the regular season on March 4 against New York City FC at Children’s Mercy Park.

2. Here Comes the Sun

The Mobile Mini Sun Cup preseason tournament continues Wednesday when Sporting KC meets the New England Revolution for a noon CT kickoff at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. The match will stream live on SportingKC.com and the Sporting KC Facebook page with commentary from FOX Sports Kansas City play-by-play announcer Nate Bukaty and color analyst Matt Lawrence.

3. Rangers and Roughnecks

The Swope Park Rangers continued their preseason campaign on Saturday at Swope Soccer Village, battling fellow USL outfit Tulsa Roughnecks FC to a 2-2 draw. Newcomers Matheus Silva and Hadji Barry provided goals for the Rangers, who will return to Swope Soccer Village this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT for a friendly against Creighton University. Admission is free and open to the public.

4. Blackwood Arrives

The Swope Park Rangers announced the signing of forward Tyler Blackwood on Friday, bolstering the club’s attack ahead of the 2018 USL season. Blackwood arrives at SPR after spending the 2017 campaign with Sacramento Republic FC, where he recorded six goals and three assists as a regular starter.

5. Cream of the Crop

The Sporting KC Academy U-17s have punched their ticket to the Championship Division of the 2017-18 Generation adidas Cup, which will feature elite academy clubs from around the world in Frisco, Texas. The U-17s rounded out GA Cup qualifying this weekend at StubHub Center in Carson, California, collecting four points from three games against LA Galaxy (3-0 loss), Portland Timbers (2-0 win) and Seattle Sounders FC (1-1 draw) to claim a top-two finish in the West Region and qualify for the tournament’s Championship Division in April.

6. Three’s Company

Fresh off their success in Generation adidas Cup qualifying, the Sporting KC U-17s will join the U-15s and U-19s for a U.S. Soccer Development Academy tripleheader on Saturday at Swope Soccer Village. The U-15s kick off at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the U-17s at 12:30 p.m. and the U-19s at 3 p.m. All three games are free and open to the public. Follow the Sporting KC Academy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (skcacademy) for all the latest information on the club's five youth development teams.

7. Ready for Launch

All supporters are invited to attend Sporting KC’s “For Glory. For City.” Season Launch Party presented by Ivy Investments on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Children’s Mercy Park. Held in partnership with adidas and Bud Light, the Season Launch Party is free and open to the public. Fans planning to attend the event can RSVP at SportingKC.com/RSVP.

The “For Glory. For City.” Season Launch Party will start at 5 p.m. CT in the Budweiser Brew House at the northeast corner of Children’s Mercy Park, giving fans the opportunity to purchase the club’s new secondary jersey for the first time. The season-opening celebration will then begin in the Sporting Bay on the east side of the world-class stadium with appearances from all Sporting KC players and coaches.

8. Black Jacket

First it was the new Anthem Jacket. Now it's the new Travel Jacket. SportingStyle rolled out the club's newest digs on Friday, as the Travel Jacket went on sale at the Pop-In Store inside Children's Mercy Park. Just like the Anthem Jacket, the Travel Jacket closely resembles the look of Sporting KC's latest secondary jersey, which was unveiled on Feb. 8.

The SportingStyle Pop-In Store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, located inside the Budweiser Brew House at the northeast corner of Children's Mercy Park. Can't make it to the Pop-In Store? Fans can place an Anthem Jacket order by calling 913-912-7563 or emailing stylist@sportingkc.com.

9. Champions League on Deck

Five MLS clubs will begin their 2018 CONCACAF Champions League journeys this week, with Round of 16 first-leg matches scheduled over the next three days. On Tuesday, reigning treble-winners Toronto FC will visit the Colorado Rapids (9 p.m. CT) in the lone all-MLS matchup. FC Dallas will visit Tauro FC of Panama on Wednesday (7 p.m. CT) before Thursday’s doubleheader, featuring Seattle Sounders FC at Santa Tecla in El Salvador (7 p.m. CT) and New York Red Bulls at Olimpia in Honduras (9 p.m. CT).

10. Europe’s Finest

While the CONCACAF Champions League unfolds in North America, the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds continue across the Atlantic. Tuesday’s Round of 16 headliner will see Chelsea FC host Lionel Messi and Barcelona, while Wednesday delivers a compelling Round of 16 matchup in Spain between Sevilla and Manchester United.

11. Fantasy is Back

With Sporting KC’s season opener against New York City FC just around the corner, it’s time to prepare for a successful year of MLS Fantasy. Multiple changes are in store this time around, as the new MLS Fantasy game will be split into a spring season and a fall season. The spring campaign will start March 3 — a day before Sporting KC’s highly anticipated curtain raiser at Children’s Mercy Park — and run until July 29, a few days before the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. The fall season will then kick into gear for the final 17 rounds. Click here to play now.

Games to Watch (Feb. 20-22)