"The Week in Review,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Sporting thumps Timbers 4-1
Sunday night, Sporting Kansas City's offensive hot streak stayed alive with a 4-1 thrashing of the Portland Timbers at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting KC has scored 11 goals in the last three matches and is the first team in Major League Soccer history to score three first half goals in three straight regular season matches. This new attacking prowess has been ignited by newcomers Erik Thommy and Willy Agada.
Agada got the scoring started in the 31st minute, powering a half-volley off a Graham Zusi cross into the back of the net. Defender Andreu Fontas scored his second goal in as many games for Sporting's second in the 40th minute. Thommy capped off the first half two minutes later, tucking a one-time shot past the keeper, into the side netting. Goalkeeper John Pulskamp kept Sporting's three-goal lead intact with an awe-inspiring save in the 47th, leaping high into the air to touch a Sebastian Blanco chip over the goal. Agada finished off a terrific diagonal through ball from Ben Sweat in the 75th as Sporting cruised to a 4-1 hammering of Portland.
2. Sporting welcomes San Jose to Children's Mercy Park
Sporting will continue their 2022 campaign with a regular season showdown with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting and San Jose met earlier this season, on May 22 at PayPal Park with both sides leaving that match with a point. Johnny Russell scored right before halftime in the 45th minute before Jackson Yueill answered in the 46th. Sporting are 7-1-5 against San Jose in the last 13 competitive meetings dating back to September 2016. Since August 2004, the home team in this fixture is 23-4-7 across all competitions.
The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com. Fans can watch the showdown on 38 The Spot, on the Sporting KC Mobile App or online at SportingKC.com.
3. United States Women's National Team roster announced for friendly on Sept. 3
Vlatko Andonovksi, the United States Women's National Team head coach announced the 23-player roster that will be coming to Kansas City on Sept. 3 for a friendly against Nigeria. The match at Children's Mercy Park will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT with coverage starting at noon on FOX and tickets on sale at ussoccer.com.
U.S. Women's National Team roster by position (club)
- GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
- DEFENDERS (6): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
- MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
- FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)
The four-time FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games winning USWNT return to the U.S. for the first time since qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and after being crowned Concacaf W champions. The USWNT has never lost a match in Kansas City, and combined with the U.S. Men's National Team is 11-0-4 at Children's Mercy Park.
4. SKC II slips to 1-0 loss at Tacoma
In a Western Conference road battle, Sporting KC II Conference-leading Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Stadium Saturday night, slipping to a 1-0 defeat. Ethan Bandre made four saves on the night as his efforts, combined with that of his backline, held the most potent offense in the league to just one goal. On the other end of the pitch, the Defiance defense held firm, keeping SKC II off the board. Head coach Benny Feilhaber and SKC II will return to Children's Mercy Victory Field for their final two home matches of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. The first of the two matches will take place Sunday at 5 p.m. CT against Earthquakes II, who SKC II beat 2-1 earlier in the season on the road. Tickets are on sale at SeatGeek.com and the match can be streamed for free at MLSNEXTPro.com.
5. Sporting announces partnership with NFL FLAG at Central Bank Sporting Complex
Last Tuesday, Sporting KC and MO-KAN NFL Flag, the official youth football program of the NFL, announced a partnership bringing NFL Flag Youth Leagues to Central Bank Sporting Complex in Platte County, MO. Leagues will begin in September once the state-of-the-art facility opens its doors. the facility will feature 10 world-class, multi-sport turf fields that can be converted into eight fields for baseball and softball play. All fields will be lighted with convenient parking and on-site amenities, including playgrounds, fieldhouse, restrooms and concessions. To join the 500,000+ youth athletes playing in NFL FLAG leagues each year, visit www.mokannflflag.com.
6. Sporting KC and Community Blood Center to host blood drive on Sept. 15-16
Keeping their long-standing partnership going, Sporting and Community Blood Center will host a two-day blood drive at Children's Mercy Park on Thursday, Spet. 15 and Friday, Sept. 16.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
The blood drive will take place from 12-6 p.m. on Thursday, September 15 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, September 16 inside the Budweiser Brew House, in the northeast corner of the stadium. Appointments are strongly encouraged as walk-ins will only be accepted as capacity safely allows. Make an appointment by accessing the links above or by calling 1-877-468-6844.
