Starting XI: Protect This House

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 fell victim to postseason heartbreak last Thursday at BBVA Compass Stadium, stumbling to the Houston Dynamo 1-0 after extra time in the Western Conference Knockout Round of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Houston forward Alberth Elis struck the decisive goal in the 94th minute as Sporting KC’s season ended away from home in the single-elimination Knockout Round for a fourth consecutive year.

Thursday’s contest marked Sporting KC’s seventh straight playoff appearance as well as the seventh postseason meeting all-time between the Western Conference rivals. And while Manager Peter Vermes’ men ousted Houston four months ago at BBVA Compass Stadium en route to lifting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, Sporting KC was unable to replicate such success in the third battle between the clubs in 16 days.

2. Protect This House

The Swope Park Rangers marched to the USL Western Conference Final with a 1-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday afternoon at Children's Mercy Park. Kharlton Belmar bagged his team-leading 15th goal of the season less than a minute into the second half and Adrian Zendejas notched his ninth clean sheet of the year, effectively disposing of No. 8-seed Sacramento.

The Rangers, who won the Western Conference Final a year ago to reach the USL Cup Final in the team's inaugural season, will now host OKC Energy FC on Saturday at Children's Mercy Park in the Conference Final. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets are available via SeatGeek.com or at the Children's Mercy Park box office on matchday.

3. Double Delight

On the same day that the Swope Park Rangers advanced to the USL Western Conference Final for a second straight year, the Sporting KC U-19s and U-17s earned victories of their own against Real Colorado at Fort Hays State University Soccer Stadium. Saturday's U.S. Soccer Development Academy tripleheader saw Sporting KC win two of three matches versus Real Colorado, both of the shutout variety.

The Sporting KC Academy continues its 2017-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy campaign Saturday with a tripleheader at Solar Soccer Club in Colleyville, Texas. The U-15s will kick off at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the U-17s at noon and the U-19s at 2:30 p.m. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates this weekend and throughout the Academy season.

4. Best of the Big 12

The Big 12 Soccer Championship returns to Kansas City on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at Children’s Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village. The top eight teams based on points during conference play have advanced to the annual championship, which will take place at Swope Soccer Village for the fifth straight year. One-day passes for the women's soccer championship are on sale for $8 while three-day all-session passes are available for $15. A 15-ticket team pack (15 one-day passes) is also available for $100. Team packs can be purchased by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.

5. Cascadia Clash

A cagey first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals saw Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Seattle Sounders FC settle for a scoreless draw Sunday night at BC Place in Vancouver. In a tactical battle short of quality chances, the Sounders’ injury woes got a bit worse ahead of Thursday’s decisive second leg, slated for 9:30 p.m. CT on FS1.

6. Red Rivalry

After racking up 20 wins and 69 points during a historic regular season, it’s MLS Cup or bust for Toronto FC. The New York Red Bulls, meanwhile, are playing with house money and riding a wave of confidence after hammering Chicago Fire 4-0 on the road in last week’s Knockout Round. The first leg between the sides will unfold tonight at Red Bull Arena, kicking off at 6 p.m. CT on FS1 in a meeting that showcases some of the best attacking talent in MLS. Toronto is paced by the prolific Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez, a trio that has combined for 39 goals and 28 assists in 2017. On the opposite sideline, New York’s Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips both scored in Chicago and boast plenty of postseason experience.

7. H-Town Down

Four days after narrowly edging Sporting KC in the Knockout Round, the upstart Dynamo welcome top-seeded Portland for tonight’s conference semifinal first leg at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. CT on FS1, pitting a Houston side unbeaten in seven against a Portland outfit that received 21 goals and 11 assists from MVP candidate Diego Valeri. Both teams are in form, but with Houston boasting a 13-1-4 home record this season, the Timbers will do well to come away with a result ahead of Sunday’s second leg in Portland.

8. Columbus Conquest

Columbus Crew SC used a heroic performance from goalkeeper Zach Steffen to oust Atlanta United FC on penalties after a scoreless draw last Thursday before 67,000 fans in Atlanta, setting up a conference semifinal on Tuesday against David Villa and New York City FC. And with this matchup comes plenty of emotion for the Crew SC fan base, as it was confirmed last week that owner Anthony Precourt is exploring the option of moving the club to Austin, Texas after the 2018 season. It’s a powerful narrative that has taken hold of a compelling Eastern Conference showdown, with Crew SC riding an 11-game unbeaten run and NYCFC boasting one of the league’s best attacks.

9. Louisville Sluggers

Should the Swope Park Rangers defeat OKC Energy FC on Saturday, Nikola Popovic’s side would advance to the 2017 USL Cup Final against either Louisville City FC or New York Red Bulls II. Louisville cruised to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, while Red Bulls II have caught fire at the right time with back-to-back road playoff wins over Charleston Battery and Tampa Bay Rowdies, respectively.

As the No. 4 seed in the West, a victorious SPR would either visit the East’s top seed Louisville or host Red Bulls II at Children’s Mercy Park in a rematch of the 2016 USL Cup Final. The 2017 USL Cup Final is slated for Monday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. CT.

10. Yanks Come Calling?

Could Erik Palmer-Brown be in line for his first call to the U.S. Men’s National Team? According to a report from Metro’s Kristian Dyer, that just may be the case. U.S. MNT interim head coach Dave Sarachan is likely to ring in several changes from a side that fell short of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, opening the door for youngsters such as 20-year-old Palmer-Brown, Tyler Adams of the New York Red Bulls, Weston McKennie of Schalke and Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga of Vitesse.

11. Champions on Tap

With half of the UEFA Champions League group stage in the books, matchday four commences Tuesday and Wednesday with a litter of pivotal matches between Europe’s best clubs. On Tuesday, Premier League titleholders Chelsea visit the Italian capital for a heavyweight battle with AS Roma while Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and PSG all look to secure three points against seemingly overmatched opponents. Two mouthwatering battles await on Wednesday, as the competitions reigning champion Real Madrid visits Tottenham at Wembley Stadium and Serie A leaders Napoli host Premier League high-flyers Manchester City.

Games to Watch (Oct. 30 - Nov. 1)