Starting XI: Open Cup Classic

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 Kansas City booked a spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final with a thrilling 5-4 penalty kick shootout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night at electric Children’s Mercy Park. Manager Peter Vermes’ men are now set to compete in their third Open Cup final in six seasons, while San Jose’s wait for its first-ever Open Cup final appearance will drag on for another year.

The Earthquakes surged ahead in the fourth minute through Danny Hoesen, but Diego Rubio equalized in the 32nd minute as a just result of Sporting Kansas City’s marked domination throughout the night. Led by goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell, San Jose defended resolutely to force penalty kicks in front of the Kansas City Cauldron supporters section. Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia proved to be the man of the hour by saving two penalties, including the game-winning stop on San Jose’s Victor Bernardez, to ignite wild celebrations inside the stadium.

2. Onto the Final

Single-game tickets are now on sale via SeatGeek.com for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, U.S. Soccer's National Championship, slated for Sept. 20 at world-class Children's Mercy Park. Open Cup Final tickets are available to Sporting KC Season Ticket Members as well as the general public, with all STMs holding a right of first refusal for their seats until next Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. CT. At that time, tickets that are not purchased by STMs will become available to the public.

The 2017 final will see Sporting Kansas City host the winner of next Tuesday’s semifinal encounter between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati of the United Soccer League, set for 7 p.m. CT at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati are both looking to make their first-ever Open Cup championship appearances.

3. Tough to Beat

Wednesday’s penalty-kick triumph extends Sporting Kansas City’s unbeaten streak to 13 matches in all competitions since the start of June, tying an all-time club record first set in 2012. The impressive run is highlighted at the end of SportingKC.com’s newest Beyond the Box Score, which also digs into the team’s extra-time fortunate at home, standout performances from Rubio and Melia, and a record-setting clip of dominance against the Earthquakes.

4. Sights on Seattle

Sporting Kansas City (9-4-10, 37 points) now faces the sizable task of playing its third game in seven days, as the club will travel to face reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC (9-7-7, 34 points) on Saturday at CenturyLink Field. The Western Conference clash will serve as a rematch of the 2016 Knockout Round playoff encounter that saw Seattle claim a 1-0 home triumph in controversial fashion. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 99.3 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish).

Seattle is 4-0-3 in its last seven MLS matches and has climbed into a tie for second place in the Western Conference. The side has scored three or more goals in four of its last five games, led by U.S. international forwards Jordan Morris and Clint Dempsey as well as playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro.

5. Swope Saturday

Swope Park Rangers are teaming up with the Truman Library Institute for a free day of family fun this weekend. Swope Park Rangers Day at the Truman Library will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Saturday at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri (500 W US Hwy 24). Free festivities on the museum lawn will include a futsal field, a bounce house, face painting and yard games for all ages, as well as appearances from an SPR player and mascot Hat Trick Harry.

The same theme will carry into Saturday evening during Truman Night at the Swope Park Rangers game. Third-place SPR (12-5-3, 39 points) hosts ninth-place Orange County Blues SC (7-6-5, 26 points) at 7:30 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village, and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Harry and Bess Truman Bobblehead. Tickets for the Western Conference clash are $20 — or just $14 for Truman Library Institute Members — by clicking here and using the “17Truman” access code.

6. Experience KC Your Way

Sporting Kansas City supporters are invited to experience Kanas City their way and enjoy a match at Children’s Mercy Park courtesy of AT&T. Click here and enter for a chance to win a VIP package through this limited-time sweepstakes. Winners will receive four tickets to a Sporting KC home match, watch pregame warmups from the field, embark on a tour of Children’s Mercy Park and receive $250 of merchandise credit to Sporting Style.

7. Deadline Day Deluge

A whirlwind deadline day came and went on Wednesday as several MLS clubs made their final to cement squads for 2017. While Sporting Kansas City passed on making any last-minute changes, teams elsewhere saw varying levels of activity. MLSsoccer.com’s Nick Sabetti offers his top 10 moves of the summer window, including LAFC’s recent acquisition of Mexican star Carlos Vela, Seattle’s addition of Victor Rodriguez and D.C. United’s notable landing of U.S. international Paul Arriola. For a comprehensive review of Deadline Day action, click here.

8. Nemeth to New England?

ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman reported Wednesday night that the New England Revolution have moved to acquire Hungarian and former Sporting KC forward Krisztian Nemeth before the close of the transfer window. The deal will also involve Columbus Crew SC, which holds the top spot in the MLS allocation order.

9. Coutinho to Stay Put?

English Premier League outfit Liverpool has reportedly dismissed another high-dollar approach from Barcelona for star midfielder Philippe Coutinho, reiterating their stance that the Brazilian playmaker is not for sale. Since acquiring more than $260 million from Paris-St. Germain in exchange for Neymar, Barcelona has become flush with transfer funds and has eyed Coutinho as a possible replacement.

10. Curtain Raisers

The 2017-18 English Premier League will officially kick off Friday at 1:45 p.m. CT when Arsenal hosts Leicester City on NBCSN. The first weekend of action will see aforementioned Liverpool travel to Watford, reigning champions Chelsea host Watford, Manchester City visit newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion, and Manchester United host West Ham United. Scroll to the bottom of this page for dates and times of Matchday 1’s biggest battles. Much to our pleasure, FOX Soccer, Goal.com and ESPN FC have all provided in-depth previews of the campaign ahead. Fantasy soccer players will also want to check out ESPN’s fantasy preview for every team.

11. Secure Your Seat

Single-game tickets for all Sporting Kansas City regular season home matches in 2017 are on sale to the general public at SeatGeek.com, the club’s official ticketing provider that allows supporters to buy, share and sell tickets easier than ever before. Away ticket requests are also open for the following road matches: Houston Dynamo (Aug. 26), New York City FC (Sept. 6) and Columbus Crew SC (Sept. 10). Visit SportingKC.com/awaytickets for easy navigation, and call 888-4KC-GOAL for more ticket information. Sporting KC is currently in the midst of a 99-game home sellout streak in MLS dating back to April 2012.

Games to Watch (Aug. 11-13)