Starting XI: The Yanks are Coming

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.

Children’s Mercy Park will host the United States Women’s National Team in a 2018 Tournament of Nations doubleheader on July 26, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The three-time World Cup champion U.S. WNT will face Japan at 6 p.m. CT on the opening matchday of an elite four-team tournament that will take place at three different venues in a round-robin format between July 26-Aug. 2. The first match of the day at Children’s Mercy Park will feature Brazil against Australia, kicking off at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Tickets for the doubleheader will go on sale to the public Friday, June 1, at 10 a.m. CT through ussoccer.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Exclusive pre-sale opportunities for Sporting KC Season Ticket members will be announced at a later date.

2. Golden Age

Children’s Mercy Park will host a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup doubleheader next summer, Concacaf announced on Wednesday. The world-class home of Sporting Kansas City is one of 15 venues across 13 U.S. cities that will welcome the 2019 edition of the expanded Concacaf Gold Cup, which will feature a record 16 nations next summer from June 14-July 7. The biennial tournament is the premier international competition of the North, Central American and Caribbean region, helping determine Concacaf’s representative at the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup.

3. Loons Loom

Occupying first place in the Western Conference standings, Sporting KC (7-2-2, 23 points) will return to action Sunday against Minnesota United FC (4-7-0, 12 points) at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT with three hours of live coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO. Local radio broadcasts will air on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish), while the Sporting KC Uphoria mobile app will provide live updates. In addition, The Final Whistle Postgame Show will air immediately after the match on 810 WHB.

4. Retro Kits at NOP

No Other Pub welcomes all fans to the official #MINvSKC watch party on Sunday as Sporting KC battles Minnesota United FC. No Other Pub's matchday specials will begin at 12:30 p.m., featuring $4 Bud Light drafts as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet with endless domestic draft beers. The watch party will also give supporters their first opportunity to purchase the limited-edition Retro jersey, which will be available May 27 at Children's Mercy Park when Sporting KC hosts Columbus Crew SC (tickets).

5. Whirlwind Wednesday

Wednesday was a momentous day for the Sporting KC organization. First came an announcement that Children's Mercy Park will host a 2018 Tournament of Nations doubleheader on July 26 featuring the U.S. Women's National Team. Then came confirmation that the world-class stadium will hold a 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup doubleheader next summer. As a fitting nightcap, the club welcomed U.S. Soccer, Children's Mercy and a host of dignitaries for the grand opening of Pinnacle, the world-class training home of Sporting KC.

Not to disappoint, Wednesday's episode of The Sporting KC Show on Sports Radio 810 WHB delivered on all the major talking points. Hosts Nate Bukaty and Carter Augustine interviewed Sporting KC President and CEO Jake Reid as well as U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis to discuss the state-of-the-art facility, U.S. Soccer's presence in Kansas City and the future of soccer in the region.

6. Soccer Don Speaks

MLS Commissioner Don Garber spoke to local and national media Tuesday at Pinnacle, the new, world-class training home of Sporting Kansas City. Click here for a full transcript of his remarks, and click here to listen to his interview on Sports Radio 810 WHB, where he made glowing remarks about the growth of soccer in Kansas City.

"We have a great model here (in Kansas City) with very passionate, committed owners who really understand the power of local community engagement, building a strong brand and connecting that brand with people who love the game but also the city and the region," Garber said. "We use (Sporting KC) in many ways as an example that if you get it right with local ownership, the right stadium, facilities and location, delivering on the fan experience and having a very committed technical staff, you're going to have success."

7. World Cup Headquarters

Thirty-two teams. Thirty-two days. From the opening match on June 14 to the final on July 15, No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power and Light District downtown will be Sporting KC’s World Cup headquarters throughout the 2018 FIFA World Cup this summer.

• Watch Party Schedule: 2018 FIFA World Cup at No Other Pub

No Other Pub will open early at 9 a.m. on World Cup matchdays to show 54 of the 64 matches live from Russia on the venue’s 10 foot by 15 foot video wall and surrounding HDTV screens with broadcast audio playing on the sound system from kick off to final whistle. Food and drink specials will be available during each day’s World Cup watch party and attendees can enter to win giveaways including Sporting KC tickets.

8. Terrific Trio

Sporting KC's statement win in Atlanta last week brought Team of the Week recognition for three of the team's standout performers. Ilie and Tim Melia secured two of the 11 spots on MLSsoccer.com's latest Team of the Week, while Ike Opara was included on the MLS Team of the Week bench.

9. Down in Texas

Swope Park Rangers (4-2-3, 15 points) will continue regular season play in the USL on Saturday when they visit Rio Grande Valley (1-3-5, 8 points). The match at H-E-B- Park in Edinburg, Texas will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT, streaming live on ESPN+.

10. Academy in Action

Three Sporting KC Academy teams return to action Saturday in a tripleheader against the Dallas Texans, to be played on the campus of the University of Tulsa. The U-15s will kick off at noon CT, followed by the U-17s at 2:30 p.m. and the U-15s at 5 p.m. Follow the Sporting KC Academy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (skcacademy) for updates next weekend and throughout the year.

11. Sporting Samaritan

Sporting KC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City have teamed up to recognize Blue KC Sporting Samaritans, honoring students and teachers who make the Kansas City community a better place to live, work and play. Once a month, a Samaritan will be recognized on the pitch at Children's Mercy Park before a Sporting KC home game. The Samaritan and a limited number of guests will receive a behind the scenes VIP experience with a wide variety of all-inclusive perks. Supporters can nominate members of their community to be the next Blue KC Sporting Samaritan at SportingKC.com/bluekc.

Games to Watch (May 18-20, 2018)