SPORTING KC TO HOST NEW YORK CITY FC ON SUNDAY
Sporting KC (7-8-4, 25 points) extended its unbeaten streak to four MLS matches with a thrilling 3-2 home win over Columbus Crew SC on Sunday. The victory vaulted Manager Peter Vermes' men to fifth in the Western Conference standings ahead of their next game against the Eastern Conference leaders. Sporting KC will host New York City FC (7-5-6, 27 points) at 7 p.m. CT Sunday in a nationally televised clash on FS1, FOX Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM. Led by Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and the league's top scorer David Villa, NYCFC will make its inaugural trip to Children's Mercy Park for a high-profile interconference matchup.
A limited number of tickets for Sunday's game are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL, and 10,000 fans will receive free piggy banks courtesy of match sponsor Children's Mercy Hospital. In addition, all fans attending are welcome to donate a dollar to Children's Mercy Hospital with all concession stand purchases.
SPORTING KC TOPS CREW SC IN 3-2 THRILLER
Matt Besler came off the bench Sunday to nod home a dramatic game-winner in the 91st minute of Sporting KC’s pulsating 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew SC at sold-out Children’s Mercy Park.
Ola Kamara scored in either half for the visitors, while Sporting KC received a 49th-minute penalty kick from Benny Feilhaber and a sublime long-range strike from Graham Zusi seven minutes later. The hosts held a man advantage for most of the second period and were rewarded for their dominance in stoppage time as Besler notched his first MLS goal since October 2011.
The pivotal result gave Sporting KC (7-8-4, 25 points) its first three-goal game of 2016 and more importantly lifted the club into fifth place in the Western Conference table. Columbus (3-6-7, 16 points) stays second-from-bottom in the East and without a win in four games. (Full story)
GRAHAM ZUSI LANDS MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORS
Winger Graham Zusi was back to his rampant best on Sunday, guiding Sporting KC to a 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC at Children's Mercy Park. The U.S. international was making his first MLS appearance since May 21, having spent the previous month at Copa America, and marked his return home with an electric performance highlighted by an MLS Goal of the Week nominee in the 56th minute. Zusi earned Team of the Week honors from MLSsoccer.com and Bleacher Report on Monday after notching a game-high four shots and tying a regular season career-best with three attempts on target. (Full story)
SPORTING KC EXTENDS DIEGO RUBIO LOAN THROUGH END OF 2016
Sporting KC announced last Thursday that the club has extended the loan of striker Diego Rubio through the end of 2016. Rubio joined Sporting KC in March on loan from Spanish side Real Valladolid. The 23-year-old Chilean has tallied two goals and one assist in 11 appearances for the MLS club across all competitions. He will no longer hold a Young Designated Player spot on Sporting KC’s roster. (Full story)
GRAHAM ZUSI UP FOR MLS GOAL OF THE WEEK
Sporting KC winger Graham Zusi has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week after netting a sublime 56th-minute strike in Sunday's 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC. (Vote here)
TIM MELIA UP FOR MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK
Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia has been nominated for the MLS Save of the Week after making a sensational stop in the 42nd minute of Sunday's 3-2 win over Columbus Crew SC. (Vote here)
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR SPORTING'S CCL HOME GAMES
Single-game tickets for Sporting KC's two group stage matches at Children's Mercy Park in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League are now available to purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Sporting KC will host fellow MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sept. 13 before facing Trinidadian side Central FC in the group stage finale on Oct. 19. Both matches will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and are included in Sporting Kansas City Season Ticket Member packages as Special Games B and C. (Details)
SPORTING KC CELEBRITY BARTENDING THURSDAY AT NO OTHER PUB
Sporting KC players will be at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District for celebrity bartending on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. CT. Supporters are welcome to attend and players will be available for autographs and photo opportunities, including Chance Myers, Brad Davis, Matt Besler, Jacob Peterson, Lawrence Olum, Tim Melia, Ike Opara, Connor Hallisey, Graham Zusi, Dom Dwyer, Roger Espinoza, Amadou Dia and Saad Abdul-Salaam.
SPORTING KC U-18S CONTINUE PLAYOFF RUN THURSDAY AT FC DALLAS
The Sporting KC U-18s continue their run in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs with a pivital quarterfinal match at FC Dallas on Thursday. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates.
RANGERS EARN 1-0 WIN OVER RIVALS SAINT LOUIS FC
The Swope Park Rangers battled to a 1-0 home win over cross-state rivals Saint Louis FC at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday night. Tyler Pasher scored just 65 seconds into the contest before play was halted for over an hour and a half in the 37th minute due to inclement weather. Once play resumed, the Rangers soaked up heavy pressure from Saint Louis to claim all three points for the second consecutive week. (Full story)
RANGERS ON THE ROAD TO FACE ARIZONA UNITED SC SATURDAY
The Rangers (6-7-2, 20 points) are on the road this Saturday, facing Arizona United SC (4-6-5, 17 points) at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. The match will kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on SportingKC.com.
ROGER ESPINOZA TO APPEAR AT GAIL'S HARLEY DAVIDSON IN GRANDVIEW
On Friday, Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza will appear at a Gail's Harley-Davidson Meet and Greet in Grandview, Missouri (5900, MO-150). The World Cup veteran will be available from 5:30-7 p.m. for autographs and photo opportunities with fans.
CONCACAF WORLD CUP QUALIFYING DRAW SET FOR FRIDAY
CONCACAF will conduct the draw for the final stage of World Cup 2018 qualifying on Friday at 9 a.m. CT in Miami Beach, Florida. The six-team, round-robin Hexagonal stage will run from November 2016 through October 2017. Mexico is the only team already qualified for the Hexagonal, with the United States contending for one of the other five spots.
SPORTINGSTYLE TO OFFER FREE JERSEY CUSTOMIZATIONS ON FRIDAY
The SportingStyle pop-in store at Children's Mercy Park will offer free customizations of authentic and replica Sporting KC jerseys on Friday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT. The offer is valid Friday only for purchases made in the Boulevard Members Club.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR BUZZ BEACH BALL 2016
Tickets are on sale for Buzz Beach Ball 2016, presented by Sporting KC and 96.5 The Buzz. Buzz Beach Ball 2016 will be held July 16-17 at Children's Mercy Park, marking the first time the show has been extended to a second day. Twenty-four artists are slated for the concert, including Cage The Elephant and Alabama Shakes. Single-day tickets start at $35 and weekend passes can be purchased for as low as $49.
DOWNLOAD UPHORIA TO WIN BUZZ BEACH BALL TICKETS
The official mobile app of Sporting KC is giving music lovers a chance to receive free tickets to the premier alternative rock concert of the year. Through July 15, all fans who download Sporting KC Uphoria on the App Store or Google Play and register a free account will be entered to win tickets to Buzz Beach Ball 2016 on July 16-17 at Children's Mercy Park. Winners will be selected every day leading up to the marquee event, and signing up is easy. Simply create a Uphoria account through Facebook, Google or email, and you could be one of dozens of winners. (Details)
AMER DIDIC MAKES SECOND STRAIGHT USL TEAM OF THE WEEK APPEARANCE
Swope Park Rangers defender Amer Didic has been named to the USL Team of the Week for the second consecutive week. The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 shutout win over Saint Louis FC, protecting the Rangers’ early lead with strong tackles, interceptions and aerial dominance. Saturday’s shutout was the Rangers’ second in a row, while Didic has now played every minute in all three of SPR’s shutouts this season. (Full story)
RANGERS SIGN GOALKEEPER ADRIAN ZENDEJAS
The Swope Park Rangers have signed goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas, the club announced last Thursday. Zendejas, 20, most recently played for Liga MX side Club Tijuana. (Full story)
WIN A TRIP TO SEE SPORTING KC PLAY IN PORTLAND
Supporters can visit amfam.com/sportingkc to enter a sweepstakes for a free, all-inclusive trip to see Sporting KC play at the defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers on Aug. 7. The winner will receive airfare for four, Sporting KC gear, four game tickets to the game, a $1,000 bank card, and two hotel rooms for two nights in close proximity to Providence park.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC
For news, photographs and instant updates throughout the 2016 season, follow Sporting KC on its Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (sportingkc) accounts and visit the club's social media page.
