Starting XI: Standing on Top

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 returned to the Western Conference summit with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. Felipe Gutierrez bagged his league-leading fifth goal of the season just three minutes into the game as Manager Peter Vermes’ men secured their first shutout of 2018 and extended their unbeaten run to four consecutive matches.

Saturday’s result snapped Sporting KC’s six-game winless skid against a D.C. United side that had triumphed in its previous two visits to Children’s Mercy Park. In scoring the game-winner, Gutierrez became the second player in club history to score five goals in the first five games of an MLS regular season.

2. Terrific Twosome

Sporting KC returned to their stingy ways on Saturday, recording their first clean sheet of 2018 with a 1-0 victory over D.C. United at Children's Mercy Park. Spearheading the shutout effort were holding midfielder Ilie and center back Ike Opara, who were named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week today for their instrumental roles in a win that vaulted Peter Vermes' men to the top of the Western Conference standings.

3. Galaxy Far Away

Sporting KC will now prepare for this weekend's highly anticipated trip to Carson, California, where they will face five-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy on Sunday at StubHub Center. The marquee matchup will kick off at 8 p.m. CT, broadcast nationally on FS1 with local radio calls on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish). The Final Whistle Postgame Show will air immediately after the match on 810 WHB. All supporters are invited to attend the official watch party for Sunday's game at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.), featuring 16-oz. Corona cans for $5.

4. Zlatan Roars

The Galaxy await Sporting KC this Sunday after completing one of the greatest comebacks in MLS history. Trailing cross-city rivals LAFC by a 3-0 scoreline with a half-hour remaining, LA turned the first installment of “El Trafico” on its head in what many have labeled the best MLS match of all-time. LA grabbed two goals back before international soccer icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench and blew social media to smithereens, scoring a majestic 40-yarder before nodding home the stoppage-time winner to put an exclamation point on his glorious MLS debut. The 4-3 thriller was a thrilling first chapter for the theatrical Ibrahimovic, who has already left his mark as one of the game’s greatest strikers.

5. Weekend Whirlwind

El Trafico wasn’t the only 4-3 barnburner to emerge from Saturday’s Week 5 action. Orlando City SC entered the win column with a wild victory over the New York Red Bulls, who had fielded a reserve-heavy lineup with Concacaf Champions League action beckoning Wednesday. Other notable results saw Vancouver Whitecaps FC move into a tie for first place in the West with a 2-1 win at Columbus, high-flying New York City FC defeat San Jose 2-1, Colorado cruise past Philadelphia 3-0 behind a Dominique Badji hat-trick, and Montreal Impact add to winless Seattle’s early misery with a 1-0 result at CenturyLink Field.

6. Rangers Return Home

The Swope Park Rangers (2-1-0, 6 points) took their first loss of the 2018 USL season on Saturday, falling 2-1 at expansion club Las Vegas Lights FC. Head coach Paulo Nagamura's side returns to the pitch this Wednesday, hosting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (1-2-0, 3 points) in a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Children's Mercy Park. Tickets for the match are available at SeatGeek.com or at the stadium box office on matchday, and the first 500 fans to arrive at Children's Mercy Park will receive an SPR koozie.

7. Here’s the Deal

The Rangers announced on Friday a new ticketing referral program and a new season ticket campaign during the month of April. SPR and Sporting KC Season Ticket Members who refer a new Rangers STM (or a buyer of 20 flex ticket vouchers for SPR matches) will receive a $50 credit on their season ticket account. In addition, fans who purchase Rangers season tickets in the month of April will be entered into a raffle to win a variety of exclusive prizes. Click here for more information.

8. Youngsters Shine

The Sporting KC U-12s were crowned 2018 Generation adidas Cup champions on Saturday, becoming the first MLS-based team ever to win the U-12 division of the prestigious youth tournament. Led by head coach Colby Childress, the U-12s downed LAFC in a dramatic championship match, prevailing in a penalty shootout 8-7 following a scoreless draw in Frisco, Texas.

While the U-12s battled their way to the GA Cup crown, the U-17s also finished their Generation adidas Cup campaign in Frisco. After taking narrow group-stage losses to Real Madrid, Atletico Paranaense and New York City FC, Sporting KC ended the tournament with a pair of consolation playoff victories over Toronto FC and the Portland Timbers, respectively. Both wins featured superb free kick goals from Sporting KC Homegrown Player Gianluca Busio.

9. Run to the Final

The Sporting KC U-14s delivered an excellent showing at the inaugural LA Galaxy Cup last week, advancing all the way to the International Division championship match at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. Led by head coach Declan Jogi, the Sporting KC U-14s rattled off three consecutive group stage victories before falling to Portuguese side FC Porto on Sunday in the tournament final.

10. Concacaf Giants

Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls have inched closer to facing the top clubs in the world at the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup, but must first defeat two powerhouse Mexican clubs in Concacaf Champions League semifinal play. Both Toronto and the Red Bulls will play the first legs of their semifinal ties this week, with Toronto FC hosting Club America at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday and New York traveling to face Chivas de Guadalajara at 9 p.m. CT Wednesday. Both contests will stream live on Go90.com.

11. Europe’s Best

The 2017-18 UEFA Champions League has reached the quarterfinal stage, with first-leg fixtures set to take place this week across the Atlantic. On Tuesday, Spanish underdogs will host German giants Bayern Munich and two-time defending champion Real Madrid will visit Italian juggernaut Juventus. On Wednesday, Liverpool and Manchester City will clash in a delicious all-England tie, while Roma travels to face Lionel Messi and Barcelona. See the table below for TV details on all matches.

Games to Watch (April 3-5, 2018)