"The Week in Review,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Sporting's season comes to a close
Sunday afternoon, Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas fought hard for 90 minutes in a Decision Day duel at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. When the dust settled, Dallas claimed a 2-1 victory despite an onslaught of chances from Sporting. The visitors fired 19 shots, seven of which on target, which forced goalkeeper Maarten Paes into six tough saves. Defender Graham Zusi added his seventh goal of the season in the 51st, leveling the match and giving the club's all-time matches played leader 31 career regular season goals, tied for ninth in club history with Mo Johnston and Benny Feilhaber.
The 2022 season came to a close with Sporting KC lighting up opponents left and right down the stretch. In the club's final 10 matches, Sporting posted a 6-2-2 record, outscoring the opposition 23-11. Newcomers Willy Agada and Erik Thommy scored eight goals and three goals respectively, providing an instant spark after joining Sporting as summer transfers. Forward Daniel Salloi capped off a brilliant 2022 season with seven goals and a team-high five assists. Salloi inked a new contract with Sporting and will stay in Kansas City through the 2026 season. Team captain Johnny Russell finished the year in a tie with Agada at eight goals. Russell was named the club's MVP presented by Audi for the second time in his Sporting KC career.
The club will take part in various roster-building events this offseason starting with the trade window opening on Nov. 7, 2022. For a full schedule of roster-building events click here.
2. Leagues Cup 2023
Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX, with the support of Concacaf, announced important competition details, including dates, format and hosting process, for the inaugural edition of the historic and highly-anticipated Leagues Cup 2023. Both MLS and LIGA MX will pause their league play each summer to allow clubs to partake in a World Cup-style tournament with spots in the Concacaf Champions League on the line.
Sporting is one of 47 teams across the two leagues and three countries set to participate in the competition. Sporting will host a LIGA MX opponent at Children’s Mercy Park and travel to face an MLS foe during the Leagues Cup 2023 group stage. Leagues Cup tickets will be available to the general public in the coming months and Sporting’s group stage home match is included in all Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Memberships. Leagues Cup 2023 will feature 77 matches played across the U.S. and Canada beginning on July 21 with the final to be held on August 19.
The Group Stage placement for MLS teams will be based on the final 2022 Supporters’ Shield standings. The top 15 MLS Clubs will each be placed in groups based on seeding, as well as by region, and will host two matches each. The top 15 LIGA MX clubs - based on the combined Clausura 2022 and Apertura 2022 standings - will be placed into groups in reverse order from the MLS clubs (No. 15 LIGA MX seeded club will be paired with No. 1 MLS seeded club and so on). The remaining 13 MLS clubs, together with the two remaining LIGA MX clubs, will be drawn into groups and divided geographically. The 13 MLS clubs will each host one Group Stage match each.
For more information on Leagues Cup 2023 click here.
3. Kids Chant Free in 2023
Sporting Kansas City announced the launching of Kids Chant Free presented by Price Chopper, a Season Ticket Membership that will make matches more accessible for families. Adults who purchase a full-season South Stand membership can add their children's memberships for free. Kids can now attend all Sporting matches at Children's Mercy Park free of charge. A limited number of Kids Chant Free memberships are available. Families interested in receiving more information or signing up may fill out an online form to be contacted by a Sporting Kansas City ticket representative.
In 2023, Sporting KC Season Ticket Memberships include all 17 MLS regular season home matches as well as an additional home match in the Leagues Cup group stage and up to four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup home matches through the quarterfinal round. Season Ticket Members will also receive full access to the new MLS streaming service on the Apple TV app and numerous benefits such as free parking with complimentary shuttles, free tickets to Sporting KC away matches and Sporting KC II home matches, a specialty scarf and exclusive events. In addition, Season Ticket Members receive discounts on single-match tickets, SportingStyle purchases, in-stadium food/drinks and youth soccer camps/clinics.
