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. Lost in LA
Sporting Kansas City (10-13-7, 37 points) suffered a 7-2 road loss to the LA Galaxy (14-13-3, 45 points) on Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park. Leading scorer Felipe Gutierrez tallied Sporting’s two goals, while Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a hat trick for the hosts. The result leaves Sporting six points shy of playoff positioning heading into the final four matches of the MLS regular season.
2. Fantastic Felipe
In a lopsided loss that kept Sporting stuck in ninth place, Felipe Gutierrez nevertheless continued his stellar sophomore campaign in MLS. The Chilean midfielder struck twice on Sunday, taking his team-leading goal total to 12 on the year. In doing so, he moved into a tie among the league's top midfield scoring leaders in 2019. Only Nani of Orlando City SC has as many goals this season as a listed midfielder.
Perhaps more impressive, however, is the fact that Gutierrez has showcased an undeniable ball-winning ability in the center of the park to compliment his scoring touch. This effective combination has yielded unprecedented numbers in 2019, as Gutierrez is the first player in MLS history during the Opta era (2010-present) to record at least 10 goals and win 50 tackles in a single regular season.
Sporting Kansas City and The Victory Project, the club’s foundation established in 2013 to help children battling cancer, is celebrating Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a series of community events throughout September, highlighted by “Kick Childhood Cancer” matchday initiatives held in conjunction with Sporting Kansas City home games at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 21 and 29. Click here for full details.
4. Rapids on Tap
With a two-game road swing in the rearview mirror, Sporting Kansas City (10-13-7, 37 points) will return home Saturday to battle the Colorado Rapids (10-15-6, 36 points) at Children's Mercy Park. Tickets for the Western Conference clash are on sale at SeatGeek.com as Sporting hosts Kick Childhood Cancer Night in partnership with The Victory Project, the club's foundation established to help children battling cancer. The first 2,000 fans to visit the Black & Veatch activation tent on the Toyota Plaza will receive a Sporting co-branded smart phone pop socket.
FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO will provide three hours of live match coverage on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Listeners can also catch the action live on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM, with The Final Whistle postgame show airing immediately afterward on 810 WHB.
Matchday pre-orders for Saturday's contest are now open at SportingStyle.com, where ticket holders can purchase limited-edition items including the new Kick Childhood Cancer training top and scarf of the match. The new training top and scarf of the match will also be available to purchase Saturday at SportingStyle locations inside Children’s Mercy Park while supplies last.
6. Rangers Prevail
The Swope Park Rangers (4-16-7, 19 points) claimed a resolute 1-0 victory over North Carolina FC (13-8-8, 47 points) at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday afternoon. Sporting KC Academy product Wilson Harris bagged the only goal of the game in the 58th minute, expertly converting Jaylin Lindsey’s low cross.
7. Shipped to Charlotte
Riding a two-game shutout streak, the Rangers will continue their USL Championship campaign on the road Saturday against Charlotte Independence (5-13-11, 26 points). Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT with a live stream on ESPN Plus.
8. Tune In Tuesday
A new episode of The Sporting KC Show Podcast will air at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday on Sports Radio 810 WHB. Hosts Nate Bukaty, Carter Augustine and Aly Trost will recap a busy weekend of MLS action and look ahead to Saturday's showdown between Sporting and Colorado.
9. Soccer Clinic
Sporting and The Victory Project will hold their sixth annual Soccer Clinic at 6 p.m. CT on Wednesday at world-class Children’s Mercy Park. The interactive clinic is open to boys and girls ages 5-13, featuring on-field coaching from Sporting KC players Matt Besler, Tim Melia, Krisztian Nemeth and Graham Zusi with all funds raised going directly to The Victory Project. Sign-up for the soccer clinic remains open at victorykc.org/soccer-clinic-2019.
10. Day of Giving
On Friday, Scooter's Coffee locations in Lenexa, Kansas (7741 Quivira Rd.) and Shawnee, Kansas (11002 W. 75th St.) will celebrate a Day of Giving by donating all proceeds to The Victory Project in a continuation of its longstanding partnership with the foundation.
11. Academy in Action
Three Sporting Kansas City Academy teams will take the field Saturday at Swope Soccer Village for the resumption of the inaugural DA Cup. A tripleheader against fellow MLS academy Toronto FC is on tap with the U-15s kicking off at 9 a.m. CT, followed by the U-17s at 11 a.m. and the U-19s at 1 p.m. All three games are free of admission and open to the general public. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates Saturday and throughout the 2019-20 Development Academy season.
