Starting XI: Offseason Shuffle

Starting XI, presented by Ford, 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 KC captain Matt Besler will be at No Other Pub on Wednesday, Dec. 6 to sign copies of his new book, No Other Home. The book signing will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. CT and copies will be available for purchase inside No Other Pub.

No Other Home is a collection of short stories, poignant moments, anecdotes and quotes that have resonated strongly throughout Besler's childhood and professional career as a defender for Sporting KC and the U.S. Men's National Team. The Overland Park, Kansas native reflects on his experiences on and off the pitch, offers advice and sheds light on his role as a family member, a friend and the captain of Sporting KC.

2. Latif Goes Green

Sporting KC announced Tuesday that forward Latif Blessing has obtained his U.S. green card and no longer occupies an international spot on the club's roster. The team now has 25 players under contract for 2018, three of whom are international players: midfielder Cristian Lobato, midfielder James Musa and forward Daniel Salloi. On Monday, Sporting KC exercised contract options on 11 players while declining options on four players. In addition, defender Erik Palmer-Brown and forward Cameron Porter are no longer under contract with the club.

3. Offseason Shuffle

The Swope Park Rangers announced today that the club will return seven players from its 2017 USL roster. The Rangers have exercised contract options on goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod, midfielder Lebo Moloto and defenders Dakota Barnathan and Parker Maher. In addition, midfielders Felipe Hernandez, Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal and Will Little are already under contract for 2018.

In addition, the Rangers have extended contract offers to midfielder Christian Duke and forward Nansel Selbol, while options were declined on goalkeeper David Greczek, defenders Joe Amico and Liam Doyle and midfielder Robert Mirosavic. Defender Oumar Ballo and forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez are out of contract with the club.

4. Busio Debuts

Sporting KC homegrown forward Gianluca Busio and the United States U-17 Men's National Team slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat to England in their opening game of the Nike International Friendlies on Wednesday at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.

Making his U-17 international debut, the 15-year-old Busio started and played the full 80 minutes as the U.S. and England exchanged multiple scoring chances over the course of the night. The contest would be decided in the 79th minute when Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed home a corner kick from Benjamin Knight to give England a last-gasp winner.

5. Winter Showcase

The Sporting KC Academy U-17s and U-19s are set to compete at the 2017 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, running today through Monday at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The 2017 Winter Showcase features elite U-17 and U-19 academy clubs from across the country, spanning more than 200 matches over five days. The annual event will be held in conjunction with the 2017 Nike International Friendlies, a round-robin competition featuring the United States, Brazil, England and Netherlands U-17 national teams.

The Sporting KC U-17s and U-19s will play three games apiece, all of which against teams from other geographically-based Development Academy divisions. Click here for the full schedule.

6. Nansel Sel-Goal

Swope Park Rangers forward Nansel Selbol has three goals in contention for the USL Fans' Choice Goal of the Year. Selbol landed USL Goal of the Month honors in June, July and August, and all three strikes are included in the fan voting ballot. His goals from June and July are paired together in the first round of bracket-style voting, while his goal from August is up against Louisville City FC's Mark-Anthony Kaye. Click here to cast your vote.

7. Four Finalists

Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento have been named finalists for the two expansion clubs that are scheduled to be announced later this year. Owners and officials representing the four prospective expansion markets will make formal presentations to MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the League’s Expansion Committee in New York on Dec. 6.

8. Reds Return to Final

Toronto FC secured its return to the MLS Cup with a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew SC in Wednesday's second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship. Jozy Altidore struck in the 60th minute to seal the Reds' second straight conference title and guarantee that the MLS Cup will be played at Toronto's BMO Field once more.

Led by head coach Greg Vanney, Toronto FC is looking to become the first club in MLS history to achieve the treble, having already lifted the Supporters' Shield and Canadian Championship earlier this season. The Reds will host the 2017 MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 9, facing the prospect of a rematch with Seattle Sounders FC. Should Seattle emerge victorious tonight against the Dynamo, Brian Schmetzer's men will hope to replicate an outcome that saw them lift the MLS Cup on Canadian soil last December.

9. Sounders on the Brink

Seattle is on the brink of visiting Toronto in the MLS Cup for the second consecutive year. The Sounders hold a 2-0 aggregate lead heading into tonight's second leg of the Western Conference Championship against the Houston Dynamo. Kickoff at CenturyLink Field in Seattle is slated for 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Houston, which defeated Sporting KC 1-0 in extra time in the Western Conference Knockout Round, faces the sizable task of winning in Seattle by at least two goals, something no team has done in MLS postseason history.

10. Fate of Nations

The final draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held Friday morning in Moscow, Russia, airing live at 9 a.m. CT on FS1. The 32 competing nations will be divided into eight groups of four, finalizing the schedule for next summer's quadrennial event. Click here for more information and comprehensive coverage of the highly anticipated World Cup draw.

11. Customize Your Kit

Sporting KC fans can visit the SportingStyle Pop-In Store all week long for free jersey customization with the purchase of any full-price jersey. Supporters are welcome to shop in-store at the Boulevard Members Club inside Children's Mercy Park or email stylist@sportingkc.com to place an order by this Saturday, Dec. 2. All orders over $50 will ship for free.

Games to Watch (Dec. 1-3)