Starting XI: Raise the Curtains

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.

Sporting KC will raise the curtains on its 22nd MLS season Saturday with a visit to D.C. United. Kickoff at RFK Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT with three hours of live coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest. Sporting KC and D.C. have a long history of meeting in season openers, and the fixture was previewed during this week’s Center Circle with Brad Porter and Andy Edwards on Spectrum Sports KC. The Washington Post’s Steven Goff, meanwhile, provides an in-depth look at Saturday’s opponent.

2. No Other Party

Looking for a place to watch Saturday’s game with other Sporting KC fanatics? Look no further than No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District. In addition to offering $4 Bud Light specials, NOP is rolling out a new, all-inclusive food and drink package that includes burgers, hot dogs, wings, cheese curds and domestic draughts. Click here for more information on Saturday’s watch party.

3. Count 'Em Down

During the week leading up to Sporting KC’s season opener on Saturday, SportingKC.com is visiting five major storylines heading into the club’s 2017 campaign. Thus far, the series has discussed Sporting KC’s defensive depth, expansion teams in Atlanta and Minnesota, and Dom Dwyer’s pursuit of Preki as KC’s all-time leading goal scorer.

4. Block Party

If you enjoyed Sporting KC’s Season Kickoff Party on Tuesday, mark your calendars for another can’t-miss celebration. Next Friday, March 10, Sporting KC will host the “We. Together.” Block Party at Town Center Plaza & Crossing in Leawood, Kansas. The event is free and open to the public, featuring player appearances, giveaways, yard games and more. Click here for details.

5. The Kit is Legit

In case you missed it, Sporting KC’s new primary jersey is now on sale at the SportingStyle Pop-In Store at Children’s Mercy Park and online at MLSstore.com. Manager Peter Vermes’ men will debut the kit when they face D.C. United on Saturday.

6. Homegrowns Honing In

Major League Soccer announced Tuesday updates to Roster Rules for the 2017 season, adding two off-budget roster spots for every club to sign additional Homegrown Players. The tweaks point to a continued strategic focus on cultivating young talent.

Sporting KC has been represented well by Homegrown players in recent weeks: Erik Palmer-Brown captained the U.S. U-20s to a 1-0 defeat of Mexico with the game-winning goal on Monday, while Daniel Salloi is in contention to earn first-team minutes after a strong preseason. Palmer-Brown and the U-20s face El Salvador in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship on Friday (5:30 p.m. on CONCACAF’s Facebook Page), knowing a win would send them to Sunday’s final and qualify the team for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May.

7. Gotta Have That Cup

U.S. Soccer on Wednesday unveiled the format for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the 104th edition of the prestigious club tournament. Sporting KC — winners of the competition in 2004, 2012 and 2015 — will enter the Open Cup in the Fourth Round, scheduled for June 14. Click here for a look at the 2017 tournament format, schedule and key dates.

8. Lend Us Your Ears...and Eyes

The 2017 MLS regular season officially kicks off Friday night when expansion side Minnesota United FC visits the Portland Timbers. Luckily, MLSsoccer.com has provided the motherlode of all season previews with the following topics: what to look for in 2017, 11 stars to watch, the top young players, 2017 kit drops, how to be a fan in 2017, and team previews for all 22 clubs. MLSsoccer.com’s Andrew Wiebe, meanwhile, tells us why the MLS Cup might be hoisted by Sporting KC.

Oh, and we’d be remiss to forget about this terrific, half-hour preview show produced by MLSsoccer.com.

9. Reppin' MLS

FC Dallas eased into the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, falling 2-1 at Arabe Unido but advancing past the Panamanian side with a 5-2 aggregate win. FC Dallas is the sixth MLS team to reach the CCL semifinals in the current tournament format. Oscar Pareja’s men will be joined in the semifinals by another MLS side, with one guaranteed to advance in the quarterfinal series between the New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The aggregate is tied 1-1 heading into tonight’s decisive second leg in Vancouver, which will kick off at 9 p.m. CT on CONCACAF’s Facebook page.

10. Broadcast Bonanza

Sporting KC opens its campaign Saturday, but the opening weekend of MLS action includes four other nationally televised showdowns. The season officially starts Friday night when Portland hosts Minnesota on FS1. LA Galaxy hosts FC Dallas Saturday on Univision, then it’s onto Soccer Sunday: Orlando City unveils its new stadium against New York City FC on ESPN before the Red Bulls visit newcomers Atlanta United FC on FS1. Click here for the full MLS TV schedule.

11. See You at CMP

Sporting KC’s home opener versus reigning Open Cup and Supporters’ Shield champion FC Dallas is just around the corner. Fans can secure their tickets to the match on Saturday, March 11 at SeatGeek.com, the new and official ticketing partner of Sporting KC that makes buying, selling and trading tickets easier than ever before.

Games to Watch (March 3-6)