SPORTING KC TO OPEN 2016 SEASON SUNDAY AT SEATTLE
Sporting KC will kick off its 21st season in MLS on Sunday, hitting the road to face Seattle Sounders FC at 6 p.m. CT in a nationally televised match on FS1 and FOX Deportes. The game will also be broadcast live in Spanish on La Grande 1340 AM.
Supporters are encouraged to attend the official watch party for the match at No Other Pub, a new entertainment venue located on the second level of the Kansas City Live! Block in the Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.). In addition, The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show will air immediately following Sunday's match on Sports Radio 810 WHB with hosts Dave Borchardt and Carter Augustine.
Sporting KC has advanced to the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of the last five seasons and is the only club to win three major trophies since 2012, having lifted the 2012 and 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups and the 2013 MLS Cup. One of nine MLS charter members still in existence, Sporting KC enters its 21st season in 2016 and will play its home opener on March 12 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Children's Mercy Park.
SPORTING KC SEASON LAUNCH PARTY SET FOR THURSDAY
Sporting KC will host its 2016 Season Launch Party from 6-8 p.m. CT Thursday at No Other Pub. The free event will be open to the public and Sporting KC's new secondary jersey will be available to purchase for the first time. Sporting KC players and coaches will be in attendance, giving supporters a first look at the team before it travels to Seattle for Sunday's 2016 season opener. Happy hour specials will be available until 8 p.m., including $2 off beverages, $1 street tacos, half-price appetizers and free play on select games. In addition, the Swope Park Rangers' primary and secondary kits for the club's inaugural USL season will be revealed and available to buy.
In conjunction with the Season Launch Party, Sporting KC will host its annual Media Day on Thursday from 4:30-5:45 p.m. CT at No Other Pub. Sporting KC players and Manager Peter Vermes will be available to discuss the 2016 season and full season credentials will be on site for pickup. Media are encouraged to stay for the night's programming beginning at 6:45 p.m. CT.
SPORTING KC GOES UNBEATEN IN 2016 PRESEASON
Sporting KC tied the Houston Dynamo 2-2 on Saturday to go undefeated during its six-game preseason, presented by Children’s Mercy. Newcomers Nuno Andre Coelho and Daniel Salloi scored on either side of halftime for Sporting KC as the MLS rivals settled for a draw on the final match day of the Desert Diamond Cup at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. (Full story)
The draw against Houston came on the heels of a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids last Wednesday. Paulo Nagamura bagged two first-half penalty kicks while Dom Dwyer and Seth Sinovic scored in the second half. (Full story)
SPORTING KC SHOW TO AIR LIVE ON THURSDAY
A new episode of the Sporting KC Show will air live on Thursday at 8 p.m. CT on Sports Radio 810 WHB with hosts Nate Bukaty and Andy Gruenebaum. Fans can join the discussion by calling 913-3-810-810 as Bukaty and Gruenebaum preview the 2016 MLS season.
SPORTING KC AND MARCEL DE JONG PART WAYS
Sporting KC has mutually agreed to part ways with defender Marcel de Jong, the club announced on Tuesday. (Full story)
SWOPE PARK RANGERS TOP STANDINGS, GO UNBEATEN IN DESERT DIAMOND CUP
The Swope Park Rangers concluded their Desert Diamond Cup campaign on Saturday with a 1-0 win over hosts FC Tucson to ensure that the club returned to Kansas City with an unbeaten 2-0-2 preseason record. The Rangers finished atop the standings of the eight-team preseason tournament as the club prepares for its inaugural campaign in the United Soccer League. (Full story)
The Rangers' win over FC Tucson came three days after a 2-2 draw with MLS club Columbus Crew SC, marking the second time Marc Dos Santos' side has earned a result against MLS opposition this preseason. Swope Park defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on Feb. 17. (Full story)
BUZZ BEACH BALL 2016 LINEUP ANNOUNCED
96.5 The Buzz and Sporting KC announced Tuesday that Alabama Shakes and Cage the Elephant will headline Buzz Beach Ball 2016, set for July 16-17 at Children's Mercy Park. Sporting KC fans can enter the promo code '16SKCBBB' on Ticketmaster.com during a ticket presale that runs through Thursday at midnight. Tickets will be available to the general public starting Friday at 10 a.m. CT. For more information, visit beachballkc.com. (Full story)
FC KANSAS CITY TO PLAY TWICE AT CHILDREN'S MERCY PARK
FC Kansas City announced Tuesday that the club will play two matches at Children's Mercy Park in 2016. The stadium will host the two-time defending NWSL champions on April 16 and Sept. 4. (Full story)
SKC ACADEMY EARNS WINS IN SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER
The Sporting KC Academy U-18s and U-16s earned victories over Lonestar SC (Texas) on Saturday at Swope Soccer Village. Both sides continue action in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with two games each this weekend in Houston. (Full story)
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