Starting XI: Tied at the 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 and Columbus Crew SC moved into a tie atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings after the sides scrapped to a 0-0 draw on Sunday at sold-out Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia saved a penalty kick in the 43rd minute before Crew SC were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of halftime when Federico Higuain received a straight red card for a high challenge on Roger Espinoza. The result gives Sporting KC and Columbus 25 points through the first three months of the 2018 campaign, tied with Atlanta United FC for the most in MLS.

2. Homegrown Debut

A historic moment took place in the 87th minute of Sunday's scoreless draw between Sporting KC and Crew SC. Midfielder Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, a Sporting KC Academy product who had been selected to Manager Peter Vermes' matchday 18 for the first time, replaced Roger Espinoza to make his Sporting KC and MLS debut. In doing so, the 19-year-old Kuzain became the eighth-youngest Sporting KC player to feature in a regular season match and the second-youngest Homegrown Player to debut for the side.

3. Minnesota Rematch

Sporting KC will return to action next Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park for their second straight nationally televised clash on FS1. Minnesota United FC will visit Kansas City in the second meeting between the regional rivals in three weeks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets for the Local Night showdown are available via SeatGeek.com.

4. Rangers Reign

The Swope Park Rangers secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. An early goal from Hadji Barry and three saves by Adrian Zendejas solidified the victory for the Rangers, who retained sixth place in the Western Conference standings at the expense of fourth-place Phoenix.

5. Playoffs Clinched

Two Sporting Kansas City Academy clubs have punched their tickets to the 2017-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs. The Sporting KC U-17s have clinched a top-three finish in the Central Conference’s Frontier Division with one regular season match to spare, thus securing an automatic postseason berth. The Sporting KC U-19s also occupy third place heading into the final weekend of the regular season and can finish no worse than with a wildcard spot, given to the top 11 teams across the country that place outside the top three of their respective divisions.

6. Scotland Johnny

Sporting KC winger Johnny Russell has joined the Scotland Men’s National Team for a friendly match against Mexico on Saturday. The contest at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be televised live on FS1 and Univision at 7 p.m. CT.

Russell, who has enjoyed a strong start to his first MLS season with five goals and three assists for Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City, earns his first selection to the Scotland national team since Oct. 11, 2015, when he featured in a 6-0 win over Gibraltar in UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying. The 28-year-old has made four appearances for Scotland’s senior team, debuting in a friendly against England in November 2014.

7. Soccer For All

Major League Soccer announced Friday the launch of Soccer For All month, showcasing the collective efforts taking place throughout the League to foster more inclusive communities. During the month of June, Sporting KC will join the other 22 MLS clubs in conducting several activations to highlight inclusivity within the Kansas City community.

8. Eight for All-Star

Major League Soccer has unveiled the fan ballot for the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, featuring eight players from all 23 clubs as nominated by national media. The following Sporting KC players are eligible for fan voting:

• Goalkeeper: Tim Melia
• Defenders: Matt Besler, Ike Opara and Graham Zusi
• Midfielders: Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez
• Forwards: Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi

Among Sporting KC’s eight All-Star nominees, five are seeking MLS All-Star recognition for the first time. Besler (2011, 2013-16) and Zusi (2012-15, 2017) are both five-time MLS All-Star selections, while Espinoza was an All-Star in 2012.

9. Yanks Return

One of the youngest U.S. Men's National Team rosters in recent memory has gathered in Philadelphia for a Memorial Day clash with Bolivia this evening at 5:30 p.m. CT on FS1. The 22-player squad carries an average age of just under 23 years and will have the opportunity to gain valuable international experience as they continue to forge the future for the U.S. MNT.

10. Mighty Madrid

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale struck twice, including a brilliant overhead kick, to help the Spanish giants to a remarkable third straight UEFA Champions League title at the expense of an injured Mohamed Salah and Liverpool. Bale produced an influential 29-minute cameo off the bench in the 3-1 victory, which proved to be a horror show for Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. Real Madrid benefited to claim their fourth Champions League title in five years as head coach Zinedine Zidane became the first manager to win three successive Champions League finals, with Cristiano Ronaldo lifting his fifth European Cup.

11. Upper 90
Sporting KC supporters can treat themselves to three upcoming home matches at Children's Mercy Park for a combined $50. The new Upper 90 Pack consists of a standing-room only ticket to each of the following three games this summer:

• Sunday, June 3 vs. Minnesota United FC (7:30 p.m. CT)
• Saturday, June 23 vs. Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m. CT)
• Saturday, July 7 vs. Toronto FC (7:30 p.m. CT)

Standing-room only tickets allow fans to enjoy all the action directly above The Cauldron supporters section on the north side of Children's Mercy Park. Click here to purchase the Upper 90 Pack while supplies last.

Games to Watch (May 28-30, 2018)