Starting XI: We're Yelling Timber

Starting XI, presented by StorageMart, 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.

Diego Rubio struck twice and Johnny Russell added a late third as Sporting KC (12-6-6, 42 points) posted their third straight shutout victory in a dominant 3-0 defeat of the Portland Timbers (10-6-7, 37 points) on Saturday night at Children’s Mercy Park.

Rubio spearheaded the comprehensive performance with goals in the 28th and 37th minutes before Russell came off the bench to bag his team-leading eighth MLS goal in the 89th minute. The result keeps second-place Sporting KC within three points of Western Conference leaders FC Dallas and gives Manager Peter Vermes’ men three consecutive shutout wins in MLS for the first time since April 2013.

2. Rubio Runs Rampant

Forward Diego Rubio, fresh off a convincing performance in last weekend's 2-0 road defeat of Los Angeles Football Club, stayed hot Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Children's Mercy Park, finding the back of the net in the 28th and 37th minutes en route to MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week honors. Normally deployed as a substitute for most of the season thus far — he leads MLS with four goals from off the bench — the Chilean embraced his starting role on Saturday and, in doing so, began to make a serious argument as one of the league's most efficient attackers in 2018.

3. Russell Breaks the Internet

Supporters were treated to a wonderful evening at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday as Sporting KC cruised past the Portland Timbers. And for one young fan in particular, it was a night she'll never forget.

A 9-year-old's birthday wish came true when Sporting KC forward Russell gifted her his jersey after she had held up a sign for him all game long. Grab a tissue and watch the scene below.

4. Loons Looming

Manager Peter Vermes' men will look to continue their winning ways this Saturday when they host Minnesota United FC (9-14-2, 29 points) at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. Tickets for the match are available via SeatGeek.com, and the first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a free camo bandana courtesy of match sponsor Pier Masters.

Saturday's contest will air live on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO, with three hours of coverage beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM will carry the game over the radio, while the Sporting KC Uphoria app will provide live updates and an exclusive offer for free Chips Ahoy cookies courtesy of Price Chopper.

5. Sporting Salutes

The service and sacrifice of military members and their families will be honored Saturday when Sporting KC hosts the second annual Sporting Salutes at Children’s Mercy Park. Held in partnership with Kansas and Missouri military units, Sporting Salutes is a comprehensive military appreciation night recognizing the sacrifices of service personnel and their families across all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

With approximately 140,000 military veterans living in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Sporting Salutes will give Sporting KC and its supporters the opportunity to express gratitude to those who have served the country.

6. Beat the Lines

SportingStyle has opened matchday pre-orders for pickup at Saturday's game between Sporting KC and Minnesota. Fans can shop for an assortment Sporting Salutes items between now and Saturday, including the limited-edition camouflage training tee and scarf of the match. The SportingStyle Pop in Store is also open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Budweiser Brew House at Children's Mercy Park. Follow @SportingStyle on Twitter and Instagram for sneak peeks of all the latest club apparel.

7. Weekend Recap

Sporting KC's 3-0 win over Portland kept the side within three points of first-place FC Dallas, who topped Minnesota United FC 2-0 in a rain-delayed battle at Toyota Stadium. Elsewhere, Seattle Sounders FC won their club-record sixth straight game with a 5-0 demolition of the short-handed LA Galaxy, the Houston Dynamo's recent struggles continued with a late 2-1 home defeat to Real Salt Lake, and LAFC kept pace towards the top with a 2-0 home win over the Colorado Rapids. On Sunday, Josef Martinez tied the single-season MLS scoring record with his 27th goal in Atlanta United FC's 3-1 win over Columbus Crew SC.

8. Rangers Rescued

The Swope Park Rangers scrapped to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Reno 1868 FC on Sunday afternoon at rain-drenched Children's Mercy Park. Tyler Blackwood bagged two first-half goals for the Rangers and notched an assist on Hadji Barry's last-gasp equalizer in the 93rd minute to split the points.

Led by head coach Paulo Nagamura, SPR (9-9-7, 34 points) will now travel to face San Antonio FC (9-7-7, 34 points) this Saturday at Toyota Field in a pivotal USL Western Conference matchup, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CT and streaming live on ESPN+. SPR and San Antonio are currently tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, with San Antonio holding the current tiebreaker on superior goal difference.

9. Clean Sweep

Six Sporting KC Academy teams began their preseason preparations on Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. Five of the teams cruised to victory over fellow MLS academy outfit Minnesota United FC as Sporting KC went 5-0-1 on the day.

10. Toyota Tour

From 4-6 p.m. CT on Friday, Sporting KC fans of all ages are welcome to attend the next stop of the 2018 Toyota Tour at Olathe Toyota (685 N Rawhide Rd., Olathe, KS). Those in attendance will have the chance to win the ultimate matchday experience on Oct. 6 when Sporting KC faces the LA Galaxy, including four tickets to the game, a tour of Children's Mercy Park and postgame access to the UMB Field Club. Sporting KC will also give away four tickets to the Sept. 30 home game against Rivals Real Salt Lake.

11. Day of Giving

Scooter's Coffee will host a Day of Giving this week for The Victory Project, an initiative from Sporting KC that unites players, staff and fans to help children battling cancer. On Friday, Kansas City area Scooter’s Coffee locations will donate 20 percent of proceeds to the foundation to help further its mission.

Games to Watch (Aug. 20-23, 2018)