"This Week in Sporting,” is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Sporting earns hard-fought point against FC Dallas
Saturday, May 30, Sporting Kansas City faced FC Dallas in a Western Conference Clash between MLS originals. Daniel Salloi won a penalty for Sporting which Johnny Russell promptly buried in the back of the net. Two FC Dallas goals before halftime gave them a one-goal advantage at the break. After Brandon Servania was shown his second yellow card, Sporting, playing with a man advantage equalized with a goal from Salloi in the 77th. The match would finish 2-2 with both sides taking home a point.
These two teams will take the pitch against one another next Tuesday, May 10 in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Children’s Mercy Park again will be the backdrop for the contest as Sporting sets out to find their fifth Open Cup title. Tickets for the cup clash are available on SeatGeek.com.
2. NYCFC and the 2021 MLS Cup champions up next
The current MLS Cup holders, NYCFC awaits Sporting KC as they head to the big apple for a Saturday evening matchup. Kickoff for the interconference matchup is set for 6 p.m. CT as Sporting KC will make their first-ever appearance at Citi Field. All-time against NYCFC on the road, Sporting is 1-2-0, winning their first match against the Pigeons before dropping their next two in New York.
NYCFC is led by 2021 Golden Boot winner Valentin Castellanos who has five goals and an assist in 2022. Talles Magno leads NYCFC with five assists and has added a goal as well. Sporting has not seen NYCFC since 2019 when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Yankee Stadium on July 26. The match will air on 38 The Spot with 30 minutes of pregame coverage prior to kickoff. Fans can also stream the match via Sporting One in the Sporting KC Mobile app or online at SportingKC.com.
3. Daniel Salloi receives Team of the Week honors
Forward Daniel Salloi became the second Sporting KC player to receive MLS Team of the Week honors in as many weeks, following Kortne Ford’s nod to the squad last week. Salloi earned his spot on the Team of the Week bench for his performance in the match against FC Dallas in which he won the penalty kick that led to Sporting’s first goal and scored the equalizer in the 77th minute. The Hungarian international earned eight Team of the Week Honors in 2021 and this is his first of 2022.
4. USMNT at CMP again
Sporting KC announced last Wednesday The United States Men’s National Team would return to Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, June 5 as Uruguay comes to Kansas City for an international friendly. The match will begin at 4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on FOX, Univision and TUDN. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, May 6, and are on sale today for U.S. Soccer Insiders. The USMNT is undefeated in Kansas City (10-0-1) with an 8-0-1 record at Children’s Mercy Park.
5. SKC II and MLS NEXT Pro marches on
The inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season trudges on as SKC II suffered a defeat to North Texas SC Sunday night at Rock Chalk Park. Despite playing down a man for the entire second half, SKC II battled hard and had a handful of dangerous-looking attacks. 2022 MLS SuperDraft selection Esai Easley made his first professional start, and Felipe Hernandez made his first appearance for SKC II in MLS NEXT Pro play. Next up, SKC II will welcome Real Monarchs to Rock Chalk Park for a Sunday afternoon matchup at 1 p.m. CT. The Real Salt Lake MLS NEXT Pro affiliates currently sit in last place in the Western Conference.
6. Davin Leed named April’s Blue KC Sporting Samaritan
Davidson Elementary teacher Davin Leed was named the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for the month of April for his work as a teacher in the North Kansas City School District. Leed began his teaching career in 2003 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He values the importance of family, referring to his colleagues at Davidson Elementary as a part of his extended family. 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.
7. Sporting KC announces partnership with BIOLO
Tuesday, Sporting announced a partnership with BIOLO, naming them the official home compostable straw of Sporting Sustainability. BIOLO was founded in 2020, is headquartered in Kansas City and makes bags, mailers and straws that are water-resistant and 100% compostable. BIOLO straws will be introduced at all Sporting Club Facilities, including Children’s Mercy Park and Compass Minerals National Performance Center. Sporting will host the club’s annual Sporting Sustainability match on Saturday, May 28 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
