"This Week in Sporting,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Sporting bested by first place LAFC on the road
Sporting Kansas City suffered a 3-1 defeat at Western Conference leaders LAFC, Sunday afternoon at Banc of California Stadium. Johnny Russell banged a cross off Diego Palacios that redirected into his own net, giving Sporting a one-goal lead in the 38th. LAFC answered with a goal from Cristian Arango in the 44th to equalize and added two goals in the second-half to claim a hand Sporting a 3-1 loss. Sporting and LAFC each have four all-time wins against one another with the rubber match in the series coming later this season on July 23 at Children’s Mercy Park.
2. Columbus Crew comes to Children’s Mercy Park
Following Sunday’s loss, Sporting KC will play in back-to-back home matches for the first time this season. First up is Eastern Conference contenders, 2020 MLS Cup Champions and fellow MLS charter club Columbus Crew. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT on 38 The Spot at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, April 23.
Saturday will mark the 57th time these two sides take the field on opposite sides of each other in MLS regular season play, but the first time since 2019 when Sporting defeated Columbus 1-0 on the road. The Crew enter the match on a three-game losing skid after starting out the season with two wins and two draws. Tickets for Saturday’s match can be purchased at SeatGeek.com as Sporting returns to Children’s Mercy Park for the first of two straight home matches.
3. SKC II back on the road
After opening the season with four points in two matches, Sporting KC II has suffered consecutive home losses. Now, the Benny Feilhaber-led side will head north of the border for a Sunday evening showdown with Whitecaps FC 2. The Vancouver Whitecaps MLS NEXT Pro affiliate have a record of 1-1-2 with one shootout win giving them six total points. WFC2 sits atop the Western Conference Pacific Division with SKC II just two points back of the playoff line, four matches into the season. SKC II will return to Rock Chalk Park on May 1 for a match with North Texas SC.
4. Tickets on sale for all Sporting KC home matches
Thursday, Sporting KC announced the release of individual match tickets for the final nine home matches of the season. Fans can purchase tickets to any one of the nine matches at SeatGeek.com. A few of the matches fans can now purchase tickets to include the July 3 match against the New York Red Bulls, the July 23 match against LAFC and the Oct. 2 final home match of the season against rivals Seattle Sounders. A variety of ticket packages and promotions are available which can be found here.
5. Sporting KC and Google Fiber partner up
Friday, Sporting KC announced Google Fiber as the club’s Official Internet Service Provider. The agreement lasts through the 2024 MLS season as Google Fiber becomes the presenting partner for Sporting’s local broadcasting stream on SportingKC.com and in the Sporting KC Mobile App. Google Fiber will also sponsor mobile ordering at Children’s Mercy Park and offer a “fast lane” providing quicker entry for fans without bags through an exclusive lane at the stadium.
6. Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup draw this Thursday
After a two-year hiatus, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is back, and it is time for Sporting Kansas City to enter the competition. As one of three MLS teams with Four titles, Sporting KC has had historic success in the competition winning it in 2004, 2012, 2015 and as recent as 2017. Thanks to a top-four Western Conference regular season finish last season, Sporting enters the draw in the Round of 32 and will find out who their opponent is at Thursday’s draw.
