SPORTING KC TO HOST REAL SALT LAKE ON SATURDAY
After a weekend off during the FIFA international break, Sporting KC (3-0-0) will look to continue its perfect start to the MLS season against unbeaten Real Salt Lake (1-0-2) on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT with three hours of live television coverage on 38 The Spot and SKCTV beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Listeners can also follow the action on 99.3 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish), and The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show will air on 99.3 FM immediately after the match.
A limited number of tickets for Saturday’s 2013 MLS Cup rematch are available via Ticketmaster.com, and the first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive free spirit sleeves courtesy of UMB Bank. Supporters are also encouraged to donate new or gently used soccer gear to provide for youth in underserved communities. In exchange for donating gear, fans will receive a 10 percent off coupon at SportingStyle locations inside the stadium.
SWOPE PARK RANGERS WIN INAUGURAL MATCH
The Swope Park Rangers claimed a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 in the club’s first-ever game on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. Second-half goals from Kevin Oliveira and Daniel Salloi saw the Rangers past their Western Conference counterparts. (Full story)
The Rangers will now head to Oklahoma to take on Tulsa Roughnecks FC at ONEOK Field on Saturday. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. with a live stream on SportingKC.com.
GRAHAM ZUSI SCORES AS U.S. DEFEATS GUATEMALA
Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi scored the fourth goal of his international career on Tuesday to help the United States Men's National Team secure a 4-0 win over Guatemala in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Zusi, who joined the U.S. roster on Sunday, started and played 81 minutes as Jurgen Klinsmann's side collected three precious points to jump to second place in Group C of CONCACAF's semifinal qualifying round. The Sporting KC playmaker marked his 33rd international appearance with the game's third goal just 18 seconds into the second half. (Full story)
ROGER ESPINOZA STARTS FOR HONDURAS IN WIN OVER EL SALVADOR
Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza made his 49th international appearance on Tuesday, playing 90 minutes as Honduras kept pace in World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over El Salvador. Espinoza made his second start for Los Catrachos in five days, helping his team secure three points to stay alive in Group A of CONCACAF's semifinal round of World Cup qualifying. The midfielder also went the full 90 minutes in Friday's 2-2 draw at El Salvador. Espinoza will return to Sporting KC for the club's match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. (Full story)
SONI MUSTIVAR STARTS TWICE FOR HAITI IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Sporting KC midfielder Soni Mustivar started for the Haiti Men's National Team on Friday and Tuesday, featuring in a pair of 1-0 defeats to Panama. Mustivar, who has made 11 international appearances for Haiti, will return to Sporting KC ahead of the club's match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. (Full story)
SPORTING KC LOANS KEMPIN, MEDRANDA, SALLOI TO RANGERS
The Swope Park Rangers announced last Friday that the club has acquired goalkeeper Jon Kempin, midfielder Jimmy Medranda and forward Daniel Salloi on loan from Sporting KC. All three players featured in the Rangers’ season-opening win against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park. (Full story)
CHILDREN'S MERCY PARK TO HOST U.S. MNT VS. BOLIVIA
Children’s Mercy Park will host an international friendly between the United States Men’s National Team and Bolivia on May 28 at 7 p.m. CT, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. The match will be the United States’ final tune-up before hosting the Copa America Centenario, a marquee tournament headlined by the U.S., Mexico, Argentina and Brazil that features 16 nations from CONMEBOL (South America) and CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean).
Sporting KC Season Ticket Members interested in securing a ticket to the match on May 28 will have access to an exclusive pre-sale before tickets are available to the general public. In addition, those who place deposits for season tickets or group tickets for the 2016 season will also receive priority consideration during the pre-sale opportunity. (Full story)
TIM MELIA WINS FIRST CAREER SAVE OF THE WEEK AWARD
Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia won his first career MLS Save of the Week last Friday for his spectacular stop in the 62nd minute of a 1-0 win over Toronto FC on March 20. (Full story)
ALL-TIME BEST XI VOTING NOW OPEN FOR MIDFIELDERS
Voting is now open for midfielders in Sporting KC's 20th Anniversary Best XI, presented by Bud Light. The ballot features 16 players, including Sporting Legends Preki and Chris Klein as well as Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber. The 20th Anniversary Best XI will be unveiled on April 13 during Sporting KC's match against the Colorado Rapids at Children's Mercy Park. (Vote here)
KEVIN OLIVEIRA NAMED TO USL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Swope Park Rangers midfielder Kevin Oliveira was named to the USL Team of the Week after scoring the first goal in club history against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday. The Rangers won the game 2-1 at Children's Mercy Park, and Oliveira was also named Man of the Match after a comprehensive midfield performance that included three shots. (Full story)
SKC ACADEMY RETURNS HOME TO FACE REAL COLORADO
The Sporting KC Academy will host a triple-header in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy on Saturday, facing Real Colorado at the Swope Soccer Village Championship Field. The U-18s kick off the action at 10 a.m. CT, followed by the U-16s at 12:30 p.m and the U-14s at 2:30 p.m. All matches are open to the public and free to attend. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
WESTPORT BEER FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets are now on sale for the sixth annual Westport Beer Festival, presented by BeerKC and Sporting KC. A tribute to craft beers, the event returns to historic Westport on Saturday, June 11, from 5-9 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of McCoy’s Public House and is a benefit for AIDS Walk Kansas City. This year's event will feature appearances by Sporting KC stars Tim Melia, Roger Espinoza, Seth Sinovic and Ike Opara. (More info)
BUZZ BEACH BALL 2016 LINEUP ANNOUNCED
96.5 The Buzz and Sporting KC have announced that Alabama Shakes and Cage the Elephant will headline Buzz Beach Ball 2016, set for July 16-17 at Children's Mercy Park. Tickets are now available to the general public at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit beachballkc.com.
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.
