"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. To visit the series archive, click here.
1. Reign over the Red Bulls
Gadi Kinda and Daniel Salloi scored in back-to-back minutes near the hour mark as Sporting Kansas City (1-0-0, 3 points) secured a 2-1 comeback victory over the New York Red Bulls (0-1-0, 0 points) in an exciting Week 1 battle on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
After New York took a 1-0 lead three minutes into the second half through 17-year-old Caden Clark, Gadi Kinda converted a 59th-minute penalty kick and Salloi slotted home in the 60th minute to give Sporting their MLS-record 15th season-opening win and kick off the 2021 campaign on a high note.
2. Home Sweet Home
On the heels of a huge win over the Bulls, Sporting will return to world-class Children's Mercy Park on Friday for the club's highly anticipated home opener against Orlando City SC (0-0-1, 1 point) at 6:30 p.m. CT. The sold-out encounter between Sporting and Orlando will be shown live nationally on FS1, FOX Deportes and the FOX Sports app. Listeners can also follow the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM, with 810 WHB airing pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. CT as well as The Final Whistle postgame show immediately after the match.
3. Siegfried Signed
Sporting announced last week that the club has signed goalkeeper Parker Siegfried on loan from USL Championship side Louisville City FC after acquiring Siegfried’s college protected rights from New York City FC in exchange for a natural 2023 MLS SuperDraft third round pick. Siegfried, 24, has joined Sporting on loan for the 2021 season on a semi-guaranteed contract for the year.
4. Rieger Bottle
J. Rieger & Co. unveiled last week its 2021 commemorative Sporting Kansas City Whiskey Label. Designed in collaboration with the Sporting, this year’s limited-edition collectable bottle was inspired by the history and the energy of Kansas City and the people that live there. This is the second edition of the J. Rieger & Co. Sporting Kansas City Label and will be available to the general public beginning Thursday while supplies last at select retail stores throughout Kansas City, the J. Rieger & Co. distillery and at Children's Mercy Park.
5. Pub Partners
Sporting Kansas City has announced the club’s official pub partners for the 2021 season, consisting of 20 soccer-friendly destinations across the Kansas City area, Wichita and Omaha. This network of pubs will cater to Sporting Kansas City supporters on every away matchday, featuring food and drink specials, VIP and enter-to-win opportunities, mascot appearances, raffles and prize giveaways.
6. Tune In Tuesday
A new episode of the Sporting KC Show Podcast will debut at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday on Sports Radio 810 WHB as hosts Nate Bukaty, Carter Augustine and Aly Trost recap Saturday's win at New York and preview Friday's home opener against Orlando. The Sporting KC Show Podcast is available on Spotify, iTunes and SportingKC.com, giving supporters a weekly destination to catch up on club storylines, player achievements, guest interviews and more.
7. Open Cup off the Table
U.S. Soccer’s Open Cup Committee made the decision last week not to hold the 2021 edition of the tournament this spring. The Committee cited the combined logistical and financial challenges still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee will evaluate the possibility of conducting the competition in some fashion later in the year.
8. SKC II Scrimmages
Sporting Kansas City II will play two preseason scrimmages this week at Swope Soccer Village ahead of their USL Championship opener at FC Tulsa on May 1. Head coach Paulo Nagamura’s side will host Baker University at 5 p.m. CT Wednesday and USL League One outfit Forward Madison FC at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday. Both matches will be closed to the public. Follow Sporting KC II on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates and news over the course of the 2021 campaign.
