Sporting Kansas City defender Ike Opara and midfielder Gianluca Busio earned MLSsoccer.com MLS Team of the Week honors today for their instrumental roles in a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Opara was selected to the Team of the Week starting XI after guiding Sporting KC to their first clean sheet since June 9, stifling an explosive Houston side that had averaged 2.5 goals through their first 14 home games this season. The center back won a game-high 10 duels, including all five aerial duels he contested, and made eight recoveries while completing 60 of 69 passes.
Busio marked his debut start with poise beyond his years, becoming the third-youngest player to start an MLS match and the second-youngest to record an assist when he brilliantly set up Diego Rubio’s game-winner in the 74th minute. The 16-year-old landed a spot on the Team of the Week bench, completing 34 of 38 passes and rattling the post with a long-range strike in the 26th minute.
Riding a newfound wave of momentum, Sporting KC (10-6-6, 36 points) will play for their second straight road win this Saturday when they visit expansion side Los Angeles Football Club (10-6-6, 36 points) for the first time at Banc of California Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.
Saturday’s clash will pit two teams tied for third place in the Western Conference with identical records. LAFC is led by the likes of Mexican international Carlos Vela, prolific goal scorer Adama Diomande and former Sporting KC duo Benny Feilhaber and Latif Blessing.
