Starting XI: Stunner in Chicago

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 struck twice in final 10 minutes to earn a remarkable 4-3 victory over the Chicago Fire in a thrilling encounter at Toyota Park on Saturday night. Midfielder Felipe Gutierrez bagged his second goal of the game in the 86th minute to complete the comeback after Jimmy Medranda had pulled Sporting KC level three minutes earlier.

First-half strikes from Gutierrez and fellow newcomer Johnny Russell had given the visitors a two-goal advantage going into halftime, but the Fire responded with a furious rally of their own, tallying three goals in the space of 12 second-half minutes before relinquishing their lead. Prior to Saturday, Sporting KC had never trailed on the road after the 80th minute and won in regulation, making the fixture a truly historic addition in the annals of club history.

2. Vote Felipe

The run from Johnny Russell, the back-heel from Daniel Salloi, the dummy from Gerso Fernandes and the emphatic finish from Felipe Gutierrez. Sporting KC’s game-winning goal in Saturday’s epic encounter was a sight to behold. From the buildup to the finish, it was a fitting end to a historic comeback as Manager Peter Vermes' men struck twice late to seal all three points.

Gutierrez's clutch, 86th-minute strike is up for AT&T MLS Goal of the Week for Week 2, going against four other finalists. Click here to cast your Goal of the Week vote for Gutierrez.

3. Midfield Masterclass

Among the several standouts in Saturday’s wild goal fest between Sporting KC and the Chicago Fire, one player stood out among the rest. Felipe Gutierrez continued his excellent start to life in Major League Soccer with a two-goal display at Toyota Park, nodding Sporting KC into an early lead before striking again in the 86th minute to complete a historic comeback and give his side a wild 4-3 victory. The Chilean’s comprehensive performance landed him a spot on MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week for Week 2, released on Monday after a wild weekend that produced 38 goals in nine matches.

4. San Jose on St. Paddy’s

Manager Peter Vermes' men will carry their momentum into this weekend when they host the San Jose Earthquakes (1-0-0, 3 points) in a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Children's Mercy Park. FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus will air three hours of live coverage beginning at 7 p.m. CT, while ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish) will carry the game on the radio. Additionally, The Final Whistle postgame show will air immediately after the match on 94.5 FM.

Tickets for the St. Patrick's Day matchup are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, and the first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a free slap koozie courtesy of match sponsor H&R Block. Supporters of age can also buy the St. Patrick's Day Pack for $42, consisting of a South Stand general admission ticket, three green beers and a pre-match Irish tailgate with hot dogs, brats, Guinness chili, Irish nachos and Coke products.

5. Rangers Ramp Up

The two-time defending USL Western Conference champion Rangers will kick off their third season in the United Soccer League on Saturday, traveling to face Reno 1868 FC on Saturday at Greater Nevada Field. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. CT, streaming live on SportingKC.com. Rangers tickets for the 2018 USL campaign are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, beginning with the club's home opener against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday, March 24, at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas.

6. Goals Galore

Nine games, 38 goals, just one shutout. Week 2 of the 2018 MLS campaign served up loads of entertainment, with Sporting KC’s 4-3 thriller against Chicago emerging as an instant classic. In Saturday action elsewhere, LAFC continued their impressive start with a 5-1 thumping of Real Salt Lake in Utah, Vancouver edged the Dynamo in Houston, the Red Bulls throttled Portland and Minnesota United FC earned a 2-1 road win at Orlando. On Sunday, Atlanta United FC returned to winning ways in front of an MLS record-crowd of 72,035 before New York City FC stayed perfect with a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy.

7. Out for the Season

Minnesota’s gutsy away win at Orlando City FC on Saturday didn’t come without a cost. Midfielder Kevin Molino suffered a torn ACL in the match and will miss the remainder of the 2018 season, Minnesota announced today. The 27-year-old Molino had tallied two goals and one assist through 140 minutes this year after a strong 2017 campaign saw him post seven goals and nine assists for the Loons.

8. CCL Madness

Three MLS clubs are halfway toward eliminating Mexican opponents and advancing to the semifinals of the 2018 Concacaf Champions League. The New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC all carry aggregate leads into this week’s decisive second legs against Liga MX clubs. New York hosts Tijuana at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday with a 2-0 cushion from leg one, Toronto FC visits Tigres UANL at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday with a 2-1 advantage, and the Sounders travel to Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday at 9 p.m. CT with a slender 1-0 lead. Each CCL match this week will stream live on go90.com.

9. Future Hall of Famers?

Six former Kansas City players are on the final ballots for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018 elections, U.S. Soccer announced today. Sporting Legend Chris Klein, prolific goal scorers Josh Wolff and Eddie Johnson, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and winger Bobby Convey are among the 32 names on the Player ballot, while former midfielder Mike Burns is one of nine available selections on the Veteran ballot. Voting begins today and runs through March 26 for the Player, Veteran Player and Builder categories, with results to be be announced at a later date.

10. Putting on Clinics

Sporting KC Youth Soccer will host a free Kickin' N Pickle clinic from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday at Chicken N Pickle (1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City), featuring soccer tennis, autograph opportunities and Q & A sessions with Sporting KC defender Ike Opara and Rangers trio Dakota Barnathan, Felipe Hernandez and Parker Maher. Registration is open to children of all ages. The following night, the Rangers will host a free soccer clinic from 6-7:30 p.m. CT at Shawnee Mission South High School. Wednesday’s clinic will include appearances from Rangers players as well as autograph and photo opportunities.

11. Academy Sweeps

Three Sporting KC Academy teams returned to winning ways on Saturday as the U-15s, U-17s and U-19s combined to sweep a U.S. Soccer Development Academy tripleheader against Texans SC Houston at Swope Soccer Village. All three sides had suffered road losses to the Houston Dynamo the previous weekend but bounced back on Saturday with victories over another Houston-based opponent.

Games to Watch (March 13-15, 2018)