BESLER AND ZUSI JOIN U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
Sporting KC defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi have been named to the United States Men's National Team roster for two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The duo have joined the 26-man squad ahead of two pivotal matches in CONCACAF's semifinal round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The U.S. will travel to face St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday at Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown (2:30 p.m. CT, beIN SPORTS) before hosting Trinidad and Tobago next Tuesday, Sept. 6, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida (7 p.m. CT, FS1 and UniMas). (Full story)
TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO RENEW SKC SEASON TICKETS
Today is the deadline for Sporting KC Season Ticket Members to renew their season tickets for the 2017 campaign. STMs can visit SportingBlueForLife.com to renew.
ROGER ESPINOZA'S RED CARD RESCINDED
The Independent Review Panel has rescinded the fine and one-game suspension for the red card issued to Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza for violent conduct in the 87th minute of their match against the Philadelphia Union last Saturday.
Sporting KC’s appeal was unanimously upheld by the Panel, which consists of one representative from the U.S. Soccer Federation, one representative from the Canadian Soccer Association and one representative from the Professional Referees Organization (PRO).
As a result, Espinoza will be eligible to play in Sporting KC’s next match against Houston Dynamo on Friday, Sept. 9. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.
SPORTING KC FALLS 2-0 AT PHILADELPHIA UNION
Nine-man Sporting KC took a 2-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday night. The hosts capitalized on their numerical advantage in the second half as substitute Roland Alberg scored a stunning goal in the 67th minute before setting up Tranquillo Barnetta’s insurance strike in stoppage time.
Sporting KC defender Jimmy Medranda was sent off in the 59th minute for his second bookable offense, allowing the Union to seize control during the final half-hour. Roger Espinoza was then ejected four minutes from time, further denting the visitors’ hopes of a late equalizer.
Saturday’s result saw Philadelphia (11-9-7, 40 points) exact revenge after falling to Sporting KC (11-12-5, 38 points) on the same field in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final. Manager Peter Vermes’ men now enter FIFA's international break and will return to action on Friday, Sept. 9 vs. Houston Dynamo at Children's Mercy Park. (Full story)
RANGERS TO HOST SAN ANTONIO FC TONIGHT AT SWOPE
The Swope Park Rangers are back in action tonight when the side hosts San Antonio FC at Children's Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. Presented by the Center for Sports Medicine at Children’s Mercy, the match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on SportingKC.com and tickets available via Ticketmaster. The Rangers (9-9-6, 33 points) head into the matchup one point and one place behind San Antonio FC, who are in the eighth and final playoff position in the USL's Western Conference. The Rangers will continue their five-game homestand Saturday, hosting Rio Grande Valley FC at 7:30 p.m. CT.
SPORTING KC VS. LA GALAXY TO KICK OFF AT 1 P.M. CT ON SEPT. 18
Sporting KC's home game against the LA Galaxy on Sept. 18 will kick off at 1 p.m. CT on FOX, Major League Soccer and FOX Sports announced last Thursday. The MLS regular season match at Children's Mercy Park was originally scheduled for noon CT on ESPN.
Sporting KC vs. LA Galaxy will be followed by Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls at 4 p.m. CT, also on FOX. The two matches will air live adjacent to regional National Football League broadcasts as part of a joint MLS and NFL lineup on Sunday, Sept. 18. The lineup of simultaneous MLS and NFL games marks the first time in the league’s 21 seasons that a network partner has televised games from the two leagues on the same network at the same time. Kickoff times for the two matches have been updated to align with the FOX broadcast network lineup. (Full story)
SPR'S FELIPE HERNANDEZ JOINS U.S. U-19 NATIONAL TEAM
Swope Park Rangers midfielder Felipe Hernandez has been called in to the U.S. Under-19 National Team for the Stevan Vilotic-Cele tournament in Subotica, Serbia. Hernandez and the U-19s – who are coached by former U.S. National Team goalkeeper Brad Friedel – will face Serbia on Thursday, France on Friday and a yet to be determined opponent in a placement game on Monday. (Full story)
DIDIC AND DUKE LAND USL TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORS
Swope Park Rangers defender Amer Didic has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 23, while captain Christian Duke has been selected on the bench following the club's 2-1 win over LA Galaxy II on Saturday. Didic earns his fourth USL Team of the Week inclusion of the season after holding the USL Western Conference’s top scoring team to one goal on the night, also producing a crucial goal-saving clearance to deny Ethan Zubak an equalizer in the 55th minute of the contest. Duke scored his first goal for the club in the 16th minute, his first USL goal since August 2013 while on loan at Orlando City SC from Sporting KC.
JON KEMPIN AT JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jon Kempin will appear at Johnson County Community College's Regnier Center South Lawn today from 1:30-3 p.m. CT in Overland Park, Kansas (12345 College Blvd.). Kempin will be available for autographs and photo opportunities with fans.
SKC ACADEMY TEAMS LEARN 2016-17 USSDA SCHEDULES
The Sporting KC Academy learned its schedule last week for the 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. Both teams will open the season on the road against Texans SC and Texas Rush on Sept. 10 and 11, respectively.
The Sporting KC Academy is coming off its most successful season to date with both teams qualifying for the USSDA playoffs. Last year’s U-18 squad became the first in Academy history to advance out of its playoff group, losing to eventual national champion FC Dallas 1-0 in the quarterfinals. The U-16s finished in second place in their group with six points, narrowly missing out on advancement to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. (Full story)
VOTING ENDS TODAY FOR KLEMENT'S SPORTING SAUSAGE
Supporters can visit SportingKC.com/klements through today at 5 p.m. CT to vote for the newest Klement's Sporting Sausage to be served at concessions in Children's Mercy Park for the remainder of the season. Those who make a selection will have the chance to win a grand prize that includes a year-supply of Klement's sausages and branded items, tickets to and field access to Sporting KC's match against San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 23, and a Matt Besler jersey.
VOTE FOR WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE HELPFUL MOMENT OF THE MONTH
The Westlake Ace Hardware Helpful Moment of the Month is open for voting at SportingKC.com/helpful. Through Friday, supporters can choose among three nominees for the month of August, with each voter receiving a $7 coupon to Westlake Ace Hardware locations in the Kansas City area. The grand prize includes a $300 Westlake gift card, a Sporting KC replica jersey and tickets to an upcoming match at Children's Mercy Park.
GAIL'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON SWEEPSTAKES NOW OPEN
Fans can visit SportingKC.com/gailsharley and enter for a chance to win a brand new Sporting KC-branded Harley-Davidson Street 500 motorcycle and tickets to the club's regular season finale vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Oct. 23.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC
For news, photographs and instant updates throughout the 2016 season, follow Sporting Kansas City on its Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (sportingkc) accounts and visit the club's social media page.
