Starting XI: Trophy Chasers

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.

Neal Patterson, chairman and CEO of Cerner Corporation and a principal owner of Sporting Kansas City, passed away on Sunday due to cancer complications. Patterson co-founded Cerner in 1979 and was part of the OnGoal LLC ownership group that purchased the Kansas City Wizards since 2006. With a visionary approach and commitment to innovation, Patterson helped transform Sporting KC into a model Major League Soccer franchise over the last decade.

Patterson’s passing has prompted statements of grief and admiration from all parts of Kansas City, including the Kansas City Royals, the American Royal and from Sporting KC fans. The iconic business and sports entrepreneur, who died at age 67, will be formally remembered in upcoming Sporting KC matches at Children’s Mercy Park.

2. Trophy Chasers

Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas continue their pursuit of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup glory when they square off in Tuesday's quarterfinal clash at Children's Mercy Park. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on SportingKC.com and radio broadcasts on ESPN 99.3 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish).

Tickets for the highly anticipated matchup are available at SeatGeek.com. Tuesday's Open Cup battle notably features the top two teams in the Western Conference, with FC Dallas lurking a point behind Sporting KC. In each of the previous two Open Cup meetings between the clubs in 2004 and 2015, Sporting KC claimed victory en route to winning the tournament championship. The quarterfinal clash also pits the winners of the last two Open Cups, as Sporting KC hoisted the trophy in 2015 before FC Dallas lifted its second title last year. Ahead of the showdown, Big D Soccer's Drew Epperley previewed the encounter with SportingKC.com.

3. Zus is Loose

Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi was named to the MLS All-Star Fan XI on Friday ahead of the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target, set for Aug. 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The summer showcase between the MLS All-Stars and reigning UEFA Champions League and Spanish La Liga winner Real Madrid will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT on FS1 and UniMas. The full 2017 MLS All-Star roster, consisting of 24 players, will be announced in mid-July.

Zusi, 30, earns MLS All-Star recognition for the fifth time in his career, tied with current teammate Matt Besler for third-most in club history behind Preki (seven) and Jimmy Conrad (six). The right back previously received All-Star accolades every year from 2012-2015, a period that saw Sporting Kansas City win an MLS Cup and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups.

4. Dwyer Does it Again

Dom Dwyer scored his second goal in as many games for the U.S. Men’s National Team in a scrappy 1-1 draw against Panama at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on Saturday. The Sporting KC forward struck in the 50th minute before Panama equalized 10 minutes later through Jose Calderon. Dwyer started and played 90 minutes in his Gold Cup debut, as did his Sporting KC teammates Matt Besler and Graham Zusi. Besler collected his 41st cap and Zusi made his milestone 50th international appearance, becoming the first-ever player to earn 50 U.S. caps while playing for Sporting KC.

The U.S. will continue Group B action this week, facing Martinique at 8 p.m. CT Wednesday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida (FS1, UniMas, UDN).

5. Rangers on a Roll

The Swope Park Rangers (9-4-2, 29 points) won their fourth straight match and extended their unbeaten run to seven USL matches with a 4-0 demolition of Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village. Lebo Moloto and Mark Anthony Gonzalez scored late in the first half before Sporting KC loanees Colton Storm and Cameron Iwasa struck after the restart. The Rangers are now 5-0-2 since the start of June and occupy third place in the USL’s Western Conference. After the match, Rangers head coach Nikola Popovic deemed the performance to be one of the best of the year.

6. Twice as Nice

Sporting Kansas City will host two King of the Court futsal tournaments on Saturday, with one taking place at Highland Park in Kansas City, Kansas (4700 Shawnee Dr.) and another kicking off at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas (11411 Pflumm Rd.). Both tournaments will be held separately, featuring 4-v-4 matches for players ages 8 and up as well as a block party complete with music, yard games, skills challenges, bounce houses and Sporting KC player appearances and autograph sessions. Tournament registration at each location is free for all teams at SportingKC.com/kingofthecourt.

7. Sporting Sausages

Sporting KC fans can cast their votes for the Klement’s Sporting Sausage creation that will be sold in Children’s Mercy Park from Aug. 6 through the end of the season. Each entry will receive a Klement’s coupon in the mail prior to the contest’s conclusion. A grand prize will include a year supply of Klement’s products, a $50 Price Chopper gift card, two match tickets to a Sporting Kansas City match, a team-signed soccer ball and the opportunity to watch warm-ups from the field level at Children’s Mercy Park. Visit SportingKC.com/Klements for more information and to vote.

8. Sel-Goal

Among the 168 goals scored across the USL in June, none were better than SPR forward Nansel Selbol’s superb strike in a 1-0 win at LA Galaxy II on June 30. The 20-year-old Selbol now has three goals and one assist in 12 appearances this season, already eclipsing his goal and assist totals from all of 2016.

9. Quarterfinal Encounters

In addition to Sporting KC hosting FC Dallas, three other U.S. Open Cup matches will take place this week to round out the quarterfinal stage. Another chapter of the California Clasico is in store tonight when the LA Galaxy visit the San Jose Earthquakes at 9:30 p.m. CT. On Wednesday, an intriguing matchup between the last remaining USL and NASL sides will see Miami FC welcome FC Cincinnati at 6:30 p.m. CT. The semifinal field will then be finalized on Thursday when the New England Revolution host rivals New York Red Bulls at 6:30 p.m. CT. All three matches will stream live on ussoccer.com. Should Sporting KC defeat FC Dallas, it would play either LA or San Jose in the semifinals on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

10. They Like Ike

With MLS observing a two-week break for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, MLSsoccer.com contributors discussed their picks for Midseason Defender of the Year. As it turns out, many of them — namely Matt Doyle, Benjamin Baer, Charles Boehm, David Gass and Nick Rosano — believe no player is more deserving than Sporting KC’s own Ike Opara. The center back has anchored a backline that leads MLS with a 0.70 goals against average while also scoring four goals in all competitions. In the 20 matches Opara has started, Sporting KC has posted 11 shutouts and conceded just 10 goals.

11. The Window Opens

Today marks the opening of Major League Soccer’s secondary transfer window, which will remain open until Aug. 9. Sporting Kansas City has already added talented Spanish midfielder Cristian Lobato, but could more signings be on the way? MLSsoccer.com’s Matt Doyle assesses each teams needs and how they could be addressed during the transfer window.

Games to Watch (July 11-13)