For the second time in three weeks, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Gutierrez has garnered MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week recognition.
The Chilean made history in Saturday's 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids, becoming the 10th MLS player all-time to score four goals in his first four regular season appearances. Gutierrez's 57th-minute strike pulled Sporting KC within a goal at 2-1 before Diego Rubio came off the bench to bag a dramatic 91st-minute equalizer.
Gutierrez spearheaded Sporting KC's comeback effort on Saturday, putting three of six shot attempts on target. Both totals were the most among all MLS players in Week 4. He also completed all eight passes in the attacking third en route to Audi Player Index Performance of the Week honors.
The 27-year-old Gutierrez, who arrived this offseason from Spanish club Real Betis, has enjoyed a phenomenal four-game start in Kansas City. In addition to leading MLS with four goals, he ranks first in tackles (21) and fifth in duels (65) for a Sporting KC outfit that has scored a league-best nine times in 2018.
Tied for first place in the Western Conference, Sporting KC returns home this Saturday to host D.C. United (0-2-2, 2 points) in a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Children's Mercy Park. Tickets for the game are available via SeatGeek.com, and the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive an Ike Opara bobblehead courtesy of match sponsor UMKC. Sporting KC will also present its first-ever Craft Beer Tasting Night courtesy of Anheuser-Busch. For $36, fans will receive one South Stand ticket, a wristband for entry into Sporting KC’s tailgate tent, a six-beer flight of Anheuser-Busch’s craft offerings, and a limited-edition 16-oz tasting glass that can be taken into the stadium.
