SPORTING KC TO WRAP UP HOMESTAND FRIDAY AGAINST D.C. UNITED
Sporting KC (5-7-2, 17 points) will conclude a three-game homestand Friday, hosting four-time MLS Cup champion D.C. United (3-5-4, 13 points) at Children's Mercy Park. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. CT with three hours of local television coverage on 38 The Spot beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT. A national television broadcast will also be available on UniMas, while listeners can follow the action on 99.3 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish). The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show will air immediately following the contest on 99.3 FM. A limited number of tickets for Friday's interconference clash are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Sporting KC is 9-2-2 against Eastern Conference clubs since moving to the West in 2015, including a 6-0-1 mark at Children's Mercy Park. Manager Peter Vermes' men are also unbeaten in 13 straight interconference home games dating back to May 2013, boasting a 9-0-4 record during the stretch.
BESLER AND ZUSI JOIN U.S. MNT FOR COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO
Sporting KC defender Matt Besler and winger Graham Zusi have been named to the United States Men's National Team's 23-man roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, a prestigious international competition that runs from June 3-26 across the U.S. The tournament is headlined by the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil and includes 16 nations from North, Central and South America. (Full story)
The United States will play two friendly matches this week in preparation for the tournament, first meeting Ecuador at 7 p.m. CT tonight. The match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, will be televised nationally on ESPN2, UniMas and Univision Deportes.
U.S. MNT TO FACE BOLIVIA SATURDAY AT CHILDREN'S MERCY PARK
The U.S. will make its fifth all-time appearance at Children's Mercy Park, facing Bolivia at 7 p.m. CT Saturday on FS1, UniMas and Univision Deportes. Tickets for the match are available at Ticketmaster.com while supplies last. The U.S. will visit Kansas City for its final tune-up before hosting the Copa America Centenario.
The U.S. is 29th in the latest FIFA rankings and was drawn into Group A of the competition alongside Colombia (No. 4), Costa Rica (No. 25) and Paraguay (No. 39). Jurgen Klinsmann’s side will open the tournament against Colombia before facing Costa Rica on June 7 in Chicago and Paraguay on June 11 in Philadelphia. (Full story)
SONI MUSTIVAR JOINS HAITI FOR COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO
Sporting KC defender Soni Mustivar was named to the Haiti Men’s National Team’s 23-player roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario last Saturday. Mustivar and Haiti will face Colombia in a friendly on Sunday at Marlins Park in Miami before making its debut Copa America appearance against Peru on June 4 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
The Haiti Men’s National Team, No. 71 in the latest FIFA rankings, was drawn into Group B with Peru (No. 46), Brazil (No. 7) and Ecuador (No. 12). After kicking off their Copa America campaign vs. Peru, Les Grenadiers will meet perennial powerhouse Brazil on June 8 in Orlando and Ecuador on June 12 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Full story)
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY FOR SECOND HALF OF SEASON
Individual tickets for the second half of Sporting KC’s 2016 home schedule will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 31. The eight home games include some of the biggest names in Major League Soccer as well as visits from the 2015 MLS Cup finalists, Columbus Crew SC and Portland Timbers. Tickets for all home matches will be available via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. Sporting KC is in the midst of 77 straight MLS sellouts at Children’s Mercy Park dating back to April 2012. (Full story)
SPORTING KC TO VISIT SAINT LOUIS FC OR MINNESOTA UNITED IN OPEN CUP
Sporting KC will begin their defense of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the fourth round of the 2016 tournament, traveling to face the winner between Saint Louis FC (USL) and Minnesota United FC (NASL) on June 15 at 7 p.m. CT.
U.S. Soccer last Thursday announced all potential fourth round matchups, which will see the 17 MLS clubs based in the United States enter the competition in the round of 32. Saint Louis FC and Minnesota United FC will square off in the third round on June 1 at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri, with the winner advancing to host title-holders Sporting KC. Away ticket information for the match will be provided in the coming days. (Full story)
PACHUCA AND SANTOS LAGUNA TO MEET IN KANSAS CITY ON JUNE 21
Children's Mercy Park will host a friendly between storied Mexican clubs C.F. Pachuca and Santos Laguna on June 21 in conjunction with Univision Kansas City, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City. Tickets for the match, presented by Kansas City Southern, are now on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
Two of Mexico’s most successful teams will square off next month as Pachuca and Santos Laguna begin preseason preparations for the 2016-17 Liga MX campaign. The sides have combined to win 10 first division championships since 1996 while also achieving success on the international stage. (Full story)
TILL AMERICAN WHEAT VODKA BECOMES SKC'S OFFICIAL VODKA
Sporting KC and Atchison, Kansas-based MGP Ingredients, Inc. have jointly announced the designation of Till American Wheat Vodka as the club's official vodka. Till, a uniquely smooth premium vodka, is made from the finest Kansas wheat by the proud men and women of Atchison, Kansas. (Full story)
DRAW CONFIRMED FOR SCOTIABANK CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) confirmed on Monday the programming for the official draw of the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. The draw will take place this Monday at 7 p.m. CT at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. The event will be televised live on Univision Deportes Network in the United States and streamed live worldwide on the Official CONCACAF Facebook Page.
Sporting KC is one of 24 clubs competing in the Group Stage of the competition from August to October. The draw will sort the championship's 24 qualified teams into eight groups of three teams for the Group Stage of the tournament. (Full story)
RANGERS HIT THE ROAD TO FACE SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC ON SATURDAY
The Swope Park Rangers (3-4-1, 10 points) continue their inaugural season in the United Soccer League on Saturday, traveling to face Sacramento Republic FC (4-3-1, 13 points) at Bonney Field. The Western Conference match is set to kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on SportingKC.com.
SWOPE PARK RANGERS TO HOST BARK AT THE PARK NIGHT ON JUNE 8
The Swope Park Rangers will host Bark at the Park, presented by KC Pet Project, on Wednesday, June 8, when the team takes on Rio Grande Valley FC at 7:30 p.m. at Children's Mercy Victory Field in Swope Soccer Village. Fans are invited to bring their dog(s) to the match by taking advantage of a $22 ticket package (buy tickets here) that includes:
- Entry for one ticket holder AND one canine companion through South Victory gate
- General admission bleacher seating on east sideline
- A custom-branded portable pet bowl for first 100 dogs
- A commemorative SPR poster for first 1,000 fans
- Buck Night featuring $1 hot dogs throughout match
SECOND ANNUAL SPORTING KC DAY AT THE ZOO SET FOR JUNE 11
Sporting KC and the Kansas City Zoo are teaming up to provide a soccer-themed experience on Saturday, June 11 in Swope Park, just minutes from the team’s Swope Soccer Village training facility. Fans are encouraged to join Sporting KC players Chance Myers, Benny Feilhaber, Seth Sinovic and Brad Davis for the second annual Sporting KC Day at the Zoo. Tickets to the event are available online at kansascityzoo.org or at the Kansas City Zoo gates. Guests who wear Sporting KC apparel that day will receive $1 off the price of admission.
A new event will kick off this year’s activities as the Rare Experience Walk benefits rare disease patients and the Victory Project. The walk begins at 9 a.m. CT across from the Swope Park Bandstand. Free and open to the public, the walk wraps up next to the Kansas City Zoo entrance as the fun transitions inside with a full day of activities planned for attendees of all ages. (Full details)
CHANCE MYERS TO APPEAR AT SPRINT STORE IN BELTON ON SATURDAY
On Saturday, Sporting KC defender Chance Myers will be at the Sprint Store in Belton, Missouri (906 E North Ave.) from 2-4 p.m. CT for autographs and photo opportunities with fans.
SPR DEFENDER JAYLIN LINDSEY AND U.S. U-17S ADVANCE TO AIFF YOUTH CUP FINAL
Swope Park Rangers defender Jaylin Lindsey started and played the full 90 minutes for the United States Under-17 Men's National Team on Monday in a 2-1 victory over Malaysia at Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco da Gama, India. With the win, the United States finished atop the group stage standings (2-0-2, 8 points) and advanced to the tournament final against South Korea on Wednesday, falling 2-1 in extra time.
Lindsey was one of 23 players on the U.S. roster, led by head coach John Hackworth, as the team prepares to qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. The 16-year-old made his debut with the Swope Park Rangers earlier this month and became the first American player with a birth year of 2000 or later to play in a professional game. (Full story)
SKC ACADEMY SET FOR PENULTIMATE ROUND OF MATCHES IN USSDA
The Sporting KC Academy U-18s and U-16s will play their penultimate matches of the 2015-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season on Saturday, facing Solar Chelsea SC (Dallas) at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. The U-18s will kick off at 1 p.m. CT before the U-16s round out the doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. CT. With two games still to play, both Academy sides are positioned to qualify for the USSDA Playoffs next month. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates.
SPORTING KC FANS CAN ENTER TO WIN A FREE TRIP TO PORTLAND
Fans can visit amfam.com/sportingkc to enter the sweepstakes for a free, all-inclusive trip to see Sporting KC play at the Portland Timbers on Aug. 7. The winner will receive airfare for four, Sporting KC gear, four game tickets to the Sporting KC vs. Portland Timbers match, a $1,000 bank card, and two hotel rooms for two nights in close proximity to Providence Park. (Register here)
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR BLUE KC SPORTING SAMARITANS
Sporting KC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City have teamed up this season to recognize Blue KC Sporting Samaritans, honoring individuals who make the Kansas City community a better place to live. Once a month, a Samaritan will be recognized on the pitch at Children's Mercy Park before a Sporting KC home game. Supporters can nominate members of their community to be the next Blue KC Sporting Samaritan by sharing their first-person experience with the nominee at SportingKC.com/bluekc.
KC STEAK COMPANY MEAT AND GREET SWEEPSTEAKS NOW OPEN
During the entire month of May, supporters can visit SportingKC.com/kcsteak and enter the Kansas City Steak Company Meat and Greet SweepSteaks. A winner will receive a one-year supply of steaks from the Kansas City Steak Company and a dinner with a Sporting KC player for up to six people at the Three Points Club, Sporting KC's rooftop event space in downtown Kansas City.
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.
