"This Week in Sporting," presented by The Smile Generation, is a weekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City.
1. Fireworks in LA
Goalkeeper Tim Melia had a season-high seven saves and forwards Johnny Russell and Khiry Shelton opened their 2021 scoring accounts with late goals as Sporting Kansas City (8-3-2, 26 points) moved atop the Supporters’ Shield standings by posting a resolute 2-0 road victory over the LA Galaxy (7-4-0, 21 points) on Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.
On an exciting Fourth of July that saw the Galaxy unleash 18 shot attempts and threaten numerous times over the course of 90 minutes, Melia delivered his finest performance of the year and Sporting showcased an opportunistic killer instinct as Russell nodded the hosts ahead in the 81st minute and Shelton put the result out of reach deep into stoppage time.
Sunday’s 2-0 triumph gives Sporting an MLS-leading eighth win of the 2021 campaign and vaults Manager Peter Vermes’ men into a first-place tie with Seattle Sounders FC heading into a two-week international break for the Concacaf Gold Cup. Victors in three straight matches and six of their last eight, Sporting have now bagged three game-winning goals after the 80th minute this season.
2. Melia Shines Bright
A season-high seven saves in a sensational shutout win over one of the best teams in Major League Soccer?
It should come as little surprise that Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia has been named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi after starring between the posts in a 2-0 victory over the LA Galaxy on Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Melia delivered his best performance of the 2021 campaign in a Fourth of July showdown between Western Conference heavyweights. The 35-year-old veteran was under siege for extended periods of the match but secured his second shutout of the season with a bevy of big-time stops to thwart the Galaxy.
3. Red, White and Busio
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Gianluca Busio was named to the United States Men’s National Team’s final 23-player roster for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, U.S. Soccer announced last Thursday. At age 19, Busio is the second youngest player and one of only seven teenagers to be selected to a Gold Cup roster in U.S. Men’s National Team history.
Busio is the first Sporting KC player selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team since Ike Opara in January 2018 and the first Sporting KC Academy product to join the full national team for an official competition.
The Gold Cup is the region's flagship international tournament, featuring men's national teams from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. First contested in 1991 and taking place every two years, the Gold Cup crowns the confederation's champion and the 16th edition will be played from July 2-Aug. 1 in eight U.S. markets.
The United States will be based in Kansas City – a Candidate Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – throughout the group stage, as Children’s Mercy Park hosts Gold Cup matches for a fourth time (2011, 2015, 2019, 2021) since opening a decade ago. Tickets start at $45 via SeatGeek.com and three-day passes can be purchased for access to all five international matches at the state-of-the-art venue, headlined by U.S. MNT matches on July 11, July 15 and July 18.
2021 Concacaf Gold Cup at Children's Mercy Park
All times CT, schedule subject to change
Sunday, July 11 (tickets)
5:30pm Canada vs Martinique
7:30pm United States vs TBD (Winner Prelims 7)
Thursday, July 15 (tickets)
6:30pm Canada vs TBDÂ (Winner Prelims 7)
8:30pm United States vs Martinique
Sunday, July 18 (tickets)
4:00pm United States vs Canada
4. Pulido Joins El Tri
Sporting Kansas City striker Alan Pulido has been named to the Mexico Men’s National Team for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Concacaf announced the final 23-player rosters last Thursday for the Gold Cup, with Mexico drawn into Group A alongside Curacao, El Salvador and an opponent to be determined following the conclusion of the preliminary round this Tuesday. Mexico will play all three group stage matches in the Dallas Metroplex from July 10-18, with each game airing live on FS1 and streaming on the FOX Sports app.
The top two finishers in each group will progress to the Gold Cup quarterfinals on July 24-25, followed by the semifinals on July 29 and the final on Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium near Las Vegas.
Mexico Schedule: 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup – Group A
- Saturday, July 10 vs. opponent TBD (9 p.m. CT | FS1, FOX Sports app)
- Wednesday, July 14 vs. Curacao (8:30 p.m. CT | FS1, FOX Sports app)
- Sunday, July 18 vs. El Salvador (9 p.m. CT | FS1, FOX Sports app)
Pulido, 30, returns to Mexico’s squad after representing El Tri last month. The forward featured as a second-half substitute in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinals on June 3 in Denver, burying his penalty kick as Mexico edged Costa Rica in a shootout following a scoreless stalemate. On June 12, Pulido earned his first start for El Tri since 2018 in a 0-0 friendly draw against Honduras in Atlanta.
5. Gamer's Paradise
Guests of all ages are invited to an all-new gaming experience on July 9-10 as Children's Mercy Park hosts Unified Esports Festival Kansas City.
The two-day, action-packed adventure is suitable for all levels of gamers and registration is now open with all-access general admission tickets available at only $30.
Participants will immerse themselves in esports as Children's Mercy Park is transformed into the ultimate gaming environment with props, professional cosplayers and a costume contest open to the public, a unique Quest system to navigate spaces and score bonus points, and dozens of top video game tournaments all free to enter with general admission.
6. Run to the Quarters
The Sporting Kansas City Academy's 2020-21 season ended Tuesday as the U-19s made an impressive run to the quarterfinals of the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.
Following nine months of competition in the MLS NEXT Frontier Division, the Sporting KC Academy sent two teams to the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs as the U-19s and U-15s qualified for the tournament based on points per game in the regular season. The crowning competition of the year followed a single-elimination format and brought together the top 32 teams in each age group. For a full rundown of tournament results, click here.
The Sporting Kansas City Academy's six teams at the U-12 through U-19 levels will return later this summer and kick off the 2021-22 MLS NEXT season this fall. For the latest updates, follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and visit SportingKCAcademy.com.
