"The Week in Review,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Sporting takes on the LA Galaxy at Children’s Mercy Park
After a congested July which saw Sporting Kansas City travel to four states, and two countries while also hosting three matches at Children’s Mercy Park, August has arrived. During a much less crowded month, Sporting will play four matches total, three of which at home. The first match of the month is set for Saturday, Aug. 6 against the LA Galaxy at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Following a 2-0 defeat at home to Austin FC last Saturday, Sporting will take on the Galaxy, a team they have found success against at home in recent years. Sporting is 5-2-3 against LA in their last 10 meetings with that record improving to 5-1-4 in their last 10 matches at Children’s Mercy Park. Since the world-class soccer venue opened its doors in 2011 the Galaxy have left KC with a win one time. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com as Sporting looks to keep their successful run against the Galaxy going. Saturday is also Sporting Salutes featuring a Sporting KC Lapel Pin giveaway to the first 10,000 fans, a pre-match flyover and special Sporting Salutes apparel available for purchase at all Sporting Style locations.
2. Tickets on sale for U.S. Women’s National Team friendly vs. Nigeria
In just over one month, the U.S. Women’s National Team will return to Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Park for a friendly with Nigeria. The match will take place at 12:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 3, and TV coverage will be provided by FOX starting at noon. The USWNT, four-time winners of both the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, own a 5-0-4 record in KC and a 3-0-2 record at top-notch Children’s Mercy Park.
Kansas City was recently selected as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup cementing its title as the soccer Capital of America. Nigeria, the 11-time African Champions currently ranked 39th in the world are led by American head coach Randy Waldrum. The Super Falcons have lost all six meetings with the USWNT, most recently at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX on Oct. 21, 2021.
3. Feilhaber, Zavagnin among 17 former Sporting players on the Hall of Fame Ballot
Last Thursday, the National Soccer Hall of Fame released the names of all candidates eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2023. Included on that list were 17 former Sporting KC players. Among those included on the list are current SKC II head coach Benny Feilhaber and current first-team assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin. The Hall’s Screening Committees will shrink the Player ballot down to 20 members and the Veteran ballot to 10 before the Voting Committee will cast their final vote.
4. SKC II loses at North Texas SC
Feilhaber and SKC II were on the road on Sunday night and suffered a 3-0 defeat to North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium. SKC II has now lost three straight following a 10-match stretch where they went 6-3-1. After a trip to Texas last week, SKC II will return to the Lonestar state for a match with Houston Dynamo 2. SKC II took home three points in their last trip to Houston with a penalty kick goal from Rauf Salifu being the only scoring in the match.
SKC II trotted out a youthful lineup with SKC Academy players Carlito Saylon, Edgar Bazan and Matthew Fisher making their first professional starts. Midfielder Ryan Reid entered the match in the 84th minute, making his professional debut. Saylon and Reid signed with SKC II earlier in the week and will look to make more contributions in the final six matches of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
5. Edgar Bazan named to first-ever MLS NEXT All-Star Game roster
Edgar Bazan was announced last Wednesday as one of 45 players to participate in the first-ever MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate. Sunday night at North Texas SC, Bazan made his professional debut for SKC II, beginning the match in the midfield and playing 65 minutes. The 16-year-old will partake in the match at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN on Wednesday, Aug. 10 as a part of the All-Star festivities taking place that week.
6. Tyler Schmidt honored as Blue KC Sporting Samaritan
Tyler Schmidt, an 8th grade science teacher at Grain Valley South Middle School has been named the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for the month of July. Schmidt has coached the middle school basketball and Grain Valley High School boys and girls soccer teams along with his time spent teaching. He inspires his students with his motto of, “When you are good at something, you’ll tell others about it. But when you are great at something, others will tell you.”
Blue KC Sporting Samaritans will continue to be recognized monthly at Children’s Mercy Park during Sporting home games. Fans are encouraged to nominate teachers and students who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at https://www.sportingkc.com/BlueKC.
