Starting XI: North of the Border

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.

1. North of the Border

Sporting Kansas City hits the road this weekend as they take on the Montreal Impact in a cross-conference clash on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. FOX sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest and FOX Sports GO will air three hours of live coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT, while listeners can catch the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish). Sports Radio 810 WHB will also air The Final Whistle postgame show immediately after the game. All supporters are welcome to attend the official watch part for Saturday’s match at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power and Light District.

2. Zusi an MLS All-Star

For the sixth time in his career, Sporting KC defender Graham Zusi has been selected to the MLS All-Star Game. Zusi and the MLS All-Stars will face Italian powerhouse Juventus in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, on Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Zusi has played every minute of all 16 MLS matches this season for a Sporting KC side that has occupied the top of the Western Conference for the past 14 weeks. Zusi has also recorded two goals, one assist and leads MLS in touches (1,439) while placing first among league defenders with 29 chances created.

3. Salloi on Team of the Week

Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi has earned his spot on the MLSsoccer.com MLS Team of the Week after a fantastic performance on Saturday night against the Houston Dynamo. Salloi cut Houston’s 2-0 lead by scoring Sporting KC’s first goal of the night, then assisted the next two goals in the final five minutes to claim the 3-2 victory. Salloi is tied for team-highs with five goals and six assists this season.

4. Rangers on the Road

The Swope Park Rangers earned a thrilling 3-2 victory last Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park, defeating Las Vegas Lights FC 3-2 with all three goals coming from Sporting KC loanees: Seth Sinovic, Wan Kamal Wan Kuzain and Kharlton Belmar. The Rangers head northwest to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 on July 5 at 9 p.m. CT before returning home on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. CT to face  Sacramento Republic FC at Children’s Mercy Park.

5. Minter on USL Team of the Week

For the second time in three weeks, Swope Park Rangers midfielder Chase Minter has earned USL Team of the Week honors after an impressive individual performance on Sunday’s 3-2 win over Las Vegas Lights FC. Minter, making his 15th appearance and eighth start for the Rangers, recorded one assist, created six chances and completed 34 of 40 passes in the win. In his first season with SPR, Minter has a tackle success rate of 88.9 percent and a team-best 21 chances created.

6. Sinovic Up for USL Goal of the Week

Left back Seth Sinovic certainly left a mark in his first appearance for the Swope Park Rangers since 2016. Joining the USL side on loan after nursing his way back from a recent injury with Sporting KC, the ninth-year MLS veteran unleased a shot 25-yard out that gave the Rangers an early 1-0 lead over the Las Vegas Lights FC on Sunday afternoon. Sinovic’s strike helped lead the Rangers to fourth place in the Western Conference, and is up for the USL Fans’ Choice Goal of the Week. Fans can visit USLsoccer.com to cast their vote for Sinovic until 11 a.m. CT on Thursday.

7. Lewis Signs for SPR

The Swope Park Rangers announced on Wednesday that the club has signed 21-year-old defender Matt Lewis. Lewis has started two of four USL appearances for the Rangers this season while on loan from Sporting KC. The rookie center back was waived by the MLS club this week prior to joining SPR on a USL contract.

8. Sporting KC U-14s Onto Regionals

The Sporting KC Academy will be one of eight teams vying for a national title in the U-14 boys division when the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships kick off July 24 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas. The U-14s, led by head coach Declan Jogi, reached the Midwest Regional Championships final with four straight wins at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, Ind., and qualified for nationals despite falling 4-1 on Wednesday to Nationals Soccer Club, who had already secured a berth at the National Championships as National League Blue division champions.

9. World Cup Recap

On Wednesday morning, defending champions Germany finished their FIFA World Cup journey at the bottom of Group F after a 2-0 loss to South Korea. Sweden and Mexico will advance from the group to the round of 16, with Sweden progressing to the knockout round for the first time since 2002 and Mexico advancing for their seventh straight knockout round appearance. Mexico will now face favorites Brazil at 9 a.m. CT Monday with hopes of snapping their streak of bowing out in the Round of 16 in each of the last six World Cup tournaments. For more World Cup coverage, click here.

10. Free Pickup Soccer @ Wyandotte

Sporting Fields + Athletics is offering free pickup soccer Thursday from 6-8 p.m. CT at Wyandotte Sporting Fields for players age 18 and up. The open summer league will feature 5-v-5 games on five separate Thursdays throughout June and July, taking place on Field 6 at Wyandotte Sporting Fields (1500 N. 19th St., Kansas City, KS). For more information, visit SportingAthletics.com.

11. Toyota Tour

From 5-7 p.m. CT on Friday, Sporting KC fans of all ages are welcome to attend the next stop of the 2018 Toyota Tour at Hendrick Toyota of Merriam (9505 W 67th St, Merriam, KS). Supporters will have photograph opportunities with a Sporting KC player and the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy. All in attendance will also have the chance to receive a special “Be a Player” experience, which includes 10 passes to tour and watch Sporting KC training at Pinnacle followed by a meet-and-great with select players. In addition, Sporting KC will conduct ticket giveaways for home games on Aug. 18 and 25 against Portland and Minnesota, respectively.

Games to Watch (June 28 - July 1, 2018)