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.
1. Hope Springs Eternal
Forward Erik Hurtado struck in the 88th minute as Sporting Kansas City (9-11-7, 34 points) claimed an invaluable 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC (12-9-6, 42 points) on Thursday night at Children’s Mercy Park. The hard-earned result keeps Sporting within six points of playoff positioning in the Western Conference, giving the side palpable momentum entering the final seven-game stretch of the regular season.
In a tightly contested match that saw Sporting unleash 22 shot attempts and force Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone into five saves, Hurtado provided the all-important breakthrough after racing onto a delectable Johnny Russell through ball and slotting home from a tight angle. The strike helped Sporting preserve their perfect home record against the Loons (5-0-0 in all competitions) and denied Minnesota the opportunity to solidify their hold on second place in the West.
2. Into the Record Books
On a night when Sporting unleashed a season-high 22 shots from nine different players, it was the final of 34 attempts between the two sides that broke the scoreless stalemate when Hurtado took a touch around Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone and buried the club's latest game-winning goal of the season. Where does it stack up among the club's all-time memorable moments of late match-winners at Children's Mercy Park? Find out by clicking here for the newest edition of Beyond The Box Score.
3. Goalkeeper's Words
Three points and a clean sheet. Just what the doctor ordered for Tim Melia and Sporting Kansas City. The veteran goalkeeper joined Sports Radio 810 WHB on Friday to discuss his team's dramatic 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC the previous night at Children's Mercy Park. In a conversation with Border Patrol hosts Nate Bukaty, Jake Gutierrez and Steven St. John, Melia said the last-gasp triumph gave the club its biggest emotional high of the year.
4. Loudest in MLS
The Worldwide Leader in Sports has had its say: The Kansas City Cauldron is the loudest supporters section in Major League Soccer. A vital component of soccer in America revolves around the matchday atmosphere. Diehard fans across the league spend their time and money creating experiences and traditions unique to the cities they represent, and arguably nowhere is that more evident than at Children's Mercy Park.
A new ESPN.com feature story takes a firsthand look at five MLS stadium environments that rival any in American pro sports, and the home of Sporting Kansas City has earned particular plaudits for the deafening noise that bellows from the Cauldron faithful. Click here for the full story.
5. Dueling the Dynamo
Manager Peter Vermes' men will conclude their three-game homestand Saturday night when rivals Houston Dynamo visit Children's Mercy Park for a pivotal Western Conference clash at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the contest are available at SeatGeek.com and the first 7,500 fans in attendance will receive Sporting KC branded sling grips for their mobile phones courtesy of match sponsor U.S. Bank.
FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO will provide three hours of live coverage on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Listeners can also catch the action live on Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM, with The Final Whistle postgame show immediately following on 810 WHB.
6. Matchday Mobile Orders
On Saturday morning, SportingStyle will open matchday mobile orders for that evening's game between Sporting and Houston. Fans will have the opportunity to place mobile orders through halftime by visiting SportingStyle.com, with pickup on the Toyota Plaza remaining open until after the match. Select items from the new, limited-edition BLDWN x SKC collection will be available at Children's Mercy Park while supplies last.
7. Rivalry Reinvigorated
On a week in which Major League Soccer celebrated star-studded rivalries on the pitch, Sporting Kansas City made a new neighbor that just might become its fiercest foe. After months of growing speculation, MLS announced last week that St. Louis has been awarded the league’s 28th franchise. The club is expected to begin play as an expansion side in 2022, giving Sporting Kansas City its closest MLS opponent ever.
With Tuesday’s announcement comes an exciting opportunity for Kansas City and St. Louis to fuel their long-standing sports rivalry. Separated by 250 miles on Interstate-70, these cities are no strangers to stoking flames as their professional sports teams go head-to-head. Click here to revisit the rich sporting rivalry shared by Kansas City and St. Louis.
8. Rangers Fall
Ten-man Swope Park Rangers (3-14-6, 15 points) suffered a 5-1 defeat to first-place New York Red Bulls II (16-5-5, 53 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night. Sporting KC Academy product Wilson Harris scored the lone goal for the Rangers before Alexsander was shown a red card in the 25th minute, leaving SPR to play the final 65 minutes shorthanded.
9. Men of Steel
The Swope Park Rangers will continue their USL Championship campaign on Sunday, visiting Bethlehem Steel FC (6-12-5, 23 points) at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Eastern Conference matchup will kick off at 5 p.m. CT and stream live on ESPN Plus.
10. Class in Session
The Sporting Kansas City Academy U-15, U-17 and U-19 teams will compete in a new DA Cup competition and a restructured regular season during the 2019-20 U.S. Soccer Development Academy campaign. U.S. Soccer announced the Development Academy’s revamped competition structure last week, unveiling a new DA Cup that gives Sporting the opportunity to win a championship in a high-stakes knockout tournament and qualify for the Playoffs next spring. In addition, a new two-tiered regular season format for the U-19 level will increase Sporting’s number of games against high-performing opponents.
11. Tune In Tuesday
A new episode of The Sporting KC Show Podcast will debut Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT on Sports Radio 810 WHB. Hosts Nate Bukaty and Carter Augustine will discuss last week's big win over Minnesota, recap a busy slate of Heineken Rivalry Week action and preview Saturday's battle against Houston at Children's Mercy Park.
