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. On the Offensive
Second-half strikes from Graham Zusi and Felipe Gutierrez propelled KC to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, lifting the club into a tie for first place in the Western Conference. Ilie opened the scoring with his first career MLS goal in the 25th minute before Zusi and Gutierrez ignited wild celebrations at Children’s Mercy Park with a pair of long-range effort to seal all three points. Sporting KC has now scored seven goals in a two-game span for the first time since August 2015, while Gutierrez has become the first Kansas City player ever to score three goals in his first three MLS regular season appearances for the club.
2. Rocky Mountain High
Manager Peter Vermes’ men will play for their third straight win this weekend when they travel to face the Colorado Rapids (0-1-0, 0 points) at 8 p.m. CT Saturday. FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus will air three hours of live coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT as two MLS charter members square off at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish) will carry the game on the radio, with The Final Whistle postgame show airing immediately after the match on 94.5 FM.
All supporters are welcome to attend the official watch party for Saturday's match at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.). Starting at 7:30 p.m. CT, No Other Pub will offer $4 Bud Light drafts as well as an all-inclusive buffet package with bottomless domestic draft beers for $30.
3. In the Running
Kansas City has been included as an official Candidate Host City in the United Bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The United Bid announced its list of 23 Candidate Host Cities that will be included in the Bid Book on Friday. FIFA is expected to select the host bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the next FIFA Congress, set to take place in Moscow, Russia on June 13. The United Bid is up against a bid from Morocco with less than three months remaining until the host is announced.
4. Hungary for Goals
Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi has joined the Hungary U-21 Men's National Team for two matches in 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying. Salloi and the U-21s will host Cyprus on Thursday at Hidegkuti Nandor Stadion in Budapest, kicking off at 2 p.m. CT, before traveling to face Belgium next Monday, March 26, at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven. Salloi is tied for the MLS lead with three assists through Week 3, including game-winning assists in both of the team's victories.
5. By the Beard of Zus
Sporting KC right back Graham Zusi is indeed right-footed, but you wouldn’t have known it in Saturday night’s 3-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park.Zusi’s magisterial left-footed effort in the 56th minute — a venomous 20-yard blast that nestled into the top corner — is one of five Week 3 nominees for AT&T MLS Goal of the Week. Fans can vote for Zusi now through Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.
6. Leading the Pack
His stunning golazo may have stolen the headlines — and fairly so — but it was a comprehensive performance from Graham Zusi that has landed him a spot on MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week. In addition to finding the top corner with a brilliant long-range blast in the second half of Saturday’s win, Zusi led all players with three chances created and 86 touches. He also made five interceptions and won seven duels.
7. Belmar Brace Spurs SPR
The Rangers began their 2018 USL campaign in thrilling fashion, defeating Reno 1868 FC 4-3 behind a two-goal, two-assist performance from on-loan Sporting KC forward Kharlton Belmar. In a snowy and wild encounter at Greater Nevada Field, on-loan striker Diego Rubio also found the back of the net while newcomer Hadji Barry added a goal and two assists. Belmar’s match-winner came in the 92nd minute after Reno had drawn level just three minutes earlier.
8. Fox and Hound
The Rangers will host their 2018 season kickoff party on Thursday at Fox & Hound (10428 Metcalf Ave.) in Overland Park, Kansas, welcoming all fans for a night of festivities prior to the club’s home opener on March 24 against Seattle Sounders FC 2. The party is free for fans of all ages to attend and will feature food and drink specials as well as the opportunity to meet Rangers players and head coach Paulo Nagamura.
9. Toyota Tour
From 12:30-2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sporting KC fans of all ages are welcome to attend the first stop of the 2018 Toyota Tour at Molle Toyota in Kansas City, Missouri (601 W. 103rd St.). Supporters will have photograph opportunities with the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy and club mascot Blue, and all in attendance will have a chance to win a "Blue Carpet" VIP experience, including a season-long valet parking pass and tickets to Sporting KC home matches on May 5 vs. Colorado Rapids and June 23 vs. Houston Dynamo.
10. Real Deal
The Sporting KC Academy U-17s will compete in the Championship Division of the 2017-18 Generation adidas Cup, a prestigious youth tournament that runs from March 23-31 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Led by head coach Rumbani Munthali, the U-17s will open the group stage against Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid at 6:15 p.m. CT Friday before facing Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense at 2:30 p.m. CT Sunday. Follow the Sporting KC Academy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (skcacademy) for live updates and the latest news from Sporting KC's five youth development teams.
11. Youth Movement
Interim U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Dave Sarachan has assembled a youthful squad ahead of a March 27 friendly against Paraguay in Cary, North Carolina. The average age of the 22-player squad is a shade above 23 years old, and five players who ply their trades overseas have received their first senior call-ups. That list includes former Sporting KC defender Erik Palmer-Brown and 2017 U-17 World Cup standout Tim Weah.
