SPORTING KC TO HOST HOUSTON DYNAMO ON FRIDAY
After a weekend off during FIFA's international window, Sporting Kansas City (11-12-5, 38 points) returns to action Friday when the club hosts rivals Houston Dynamo (5-11,10, 25 points) at Children's Mercy Park. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. CT with three hours of live television coverage on 38 The Spot beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT, while UniMas will televise the match nationally in Spanish. Listeners can also follow the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish), with 810 WHB airing The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show immediately after the game.
Fifth-place Sporting KC is six points clear in the playoff race and 13 points ahead of last-place Houston, whose postseason hopes hang by a thread. A limited number of tickets for the Western Conference clash are still available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. The first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates on Friday will receive tote bags courtesy of UMKC, while users of the Sporting KC Uphoria mobile app will receive a three-day offer for free Klondike bars at Kansas City area Price Chopper locations.
BESLER SCORES FIRST U.S. GOAL ON THE DAY HIS DAUGHTER IS BORN
Matt Besler celebrated the birth of his baby girl in style. The Sporting KC defender scored his first international goal last Friday as the United States Men’s National Team defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines 6-0 at Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown.
Donning U.S. colors on the day his daughter Parker Rhea was born in Overland Park, Kansas, Besler hammered home from close range in the 32nd minute of a comprehensive road victory in Group C. The defender started and played 90 minutes alongside club teammate Graham Zusi, who manned the right side of midfield in head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s 4-4-2 setup. Sporting KC was the only club to feature two players in the starting lineup. Besler’s first goal came in his 36th international appearance, while Zusi earned his 41st cap. (Full story)
U.S. MNT QUALIFIES FOR THE HEX WITH 4-0 VICTORY
Sacha Kljestan struck before halftime, Jozy Altidore notched a second-half brace and Paul Arriola added a late fourth as the U.S. Men's National Team beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 on Tuesday to finish atop Group C in CONCACAF’s semifinal round of World Cup qualifying. The result sends the Americans to the Hexagonal, where six CONCACAF nations will battle for three spots in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sporting KC winger Graham Zusi was an unused substitute in Tuesday’s match at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Zusi played 90 minutes in last Friday’s 6-0 win at St. Vincent and the Grenadines alongside club teammate Matt Besler, who returned to Kansas City over the weekend to be with his newborn daughter.
As the first-place finisher in Group C, the United States will open the Hexagonal with a colossal showdown against its arch rival. Jurgen Klinsmann’s side will host Mexico on Friday, Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, before traveling to face Costa Rica on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The Hexagonal will be played in a double-round-robin, home-and-away format, concluding in October 2017. (Full story)
GO TO CHIPOTLE TODAY TO BENEFIT THE VICTORY PROJECT
Sporting KC supporters can print or save this flier on their smartphones and visit any Kansas City area Chipotle today to ensure that 50 percent of all sales benefit The Victory Project, the club's philanthropic initiative that unites players and fans to help children fight cancer and other illnesses. In conjunction with the campaign, Jacob Peterson will appear at the Chipotle in Prairie Village (6920 Mission Rd.) and Kevin Ellis will appear at the Chipotle in Overland Park (7040 W. 135th St.) from 4-5:30 p.m. CT this afternoon for a meet and greet with fans, including autograph and photo opportunities.
SPORTING KC COMPLETES PERMANENT TRANSFER OF DIEGO RUBIO
Sporting KC announced last Thursday that the club has completed the permanent transfer of forward Diego Rubio from Spanish side Real Valladolid. Rubio is no longer on loan and his contract with Sporting KC runs through the 2018 season with a team option for 2019.
“This is good news for both the club and for Diego,” Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. “I give a lot of credit to our staff, which did its due diligence to get the original loan deal for Diego done. That gave us ample time to see how he would integrate within our system. We were pleased with what we saw and look forward to his continued progression with our club.”
Rubio joined Sporting KC on loan in March after spending the first five years of his professional career in South America and Europe. The 23-year-old Chilean has started six of 17 appearances this season, tallying two goals and one assist in all competitions. Rubio opened his MLS scoring account in a 1-1 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on April 27 and notched the game-winner in extra time of a 2-1 U.S. Open Cup victory over Minnesota United FC on June 15. He then recorded his first Sporting KC assist in a U.S. Open Cup defeat at the Houston Dynamo on June 29. (Full story)
SCHEDULE UNVEILED FOR 2016 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Major League Soccer announced Tuesday that MLS Cup 2016 will be televised on FOX, UniMás, TSN and RDS on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. CT, the first time in the league's 21-season history the championship match will be played on a Saturday evening. In addition, the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs dates have been set, with postseason action kicking off Oct. 26-27 following the close of regular season play on Sunday, Oct. 23.
Postseason matches will air live in more than 175 countries worldwide. For the first time since 2008, MLS Cup 2016 will air live on English-language network television, as FOX televises the championship match for the first time. (Full story)
RANGERS CONTINUE PLAYOFF PUSH SATURDAY VS. TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC
The Swope Park Rangers (10-10-6, 36 points) split a pair of home games last week, defeating San Antonio FC 2-1 last Wednesday before taking a 2-0 loss to Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday. The club wraps up a five-game homestand this Saturday when Tulsa Roughnecks FC visits Children's Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets can be secured for as low as $12 at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. The Rangers are currently in seventh place in the USL Western Conference, with the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs after the 30-game regular season concludes Sept. 24.
SPR MIDFIELDER AYRTON NAMED TO USL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Swope Park Rangers midfielder Ayrton has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 24. The Brazilian was in a tie for second in USL Player of the Week voting, earning 21 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media. The 22-year-old scored twice in the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over San Antonio FC last Wednesday, including a 94th-minute penalty kick to seal all three points. The goals brought his season total to three, while he has also added four assists – placing him in a tie for the team lead. (Full story)
SPR'S FELIPE HERNANDEZ EARNS THREE CAPS WITH U.S. U-19S
Sporting KC Under-18 Academy and Swope Park Rangers midfielder Felipe Hernandez appeared in all three matches for the United States Under-19 Men's National Team at the 2016 Stevan-Vilotic Cele Tournament, which concluded Monday in Subotica, Serbia with the U.S. earning a 2-1 victory over Hungary.
Hernandez, 18, made his U.S. youth national team debut when he came off the bench in a 2-1 loss to the hosts Serbia on Sept. 1 at City Stadium. The Nashville, Tennessee, native than collected a second cap in as many days as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 defeat to France at Senta Stadium. (Full story)
VICTORY PROJECT BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR SATURDAY
The Victory Project blood drive will be held in the Ameritas Shield Club at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors will receive a "Bleed Sporting Blue" t-shirt, a tour of the Sporting KC locker room and lunch courtesy of Papa John's pizza. Walk-ins are welcome and registration is open using the sponsor code 'TheVictoryProject' at www.redcrossblood.org. The blood drive will include Sporting KC player appearances from Diego Rubio, Alec Kann, Justin Mapp and Lawrence Olum between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CT.
SPORTING KC AND RSL TO KICK OFF AT 4 P.M. CT ON OCT. 16
Major League Soccer announced last Friday that Sporting KC’s October 16 match vs. Real Salt Lake will kick off at 4 p.m. CT. Broadcast details for the match will be announced at a later date.
Based off the success of last year’s Decision Day, Major League Soccer extended the concept of simultaneous match times to week 33 of the 2016 regular season. All five Eastern Conference matches will kick off at 2 p.m. CT and all five Western Conference matches will kick off at 4 p.m. CT.
ACADEMY KICKS OFF 2016-17 USSDA SEASON THIS WEEKEND
The Sporting KC Academy kicks off its 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season this weekend as the U-16s and U-18s face doubleheaders in the state of Texas. Sporting KC first visits Texans SC Houston at Burroughs Park in Tomball, with the U-18s in action at 10 a.m. CT and the U-16s following at 12:30 p.m. CT. Sunday features a tripleheader against Texas Rush at Bear Branch Soccer Complex in The Woodlands, with the U-18s, U-16s and U-14s kicking off at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. CT, respectively. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the 2016-17 USSDA season.
PLAYERS TO APPEAR AT CHILDREN'S MERCY STAR POWER PROGRAM
Defenders Kevin Ellis and Ike Opara will appear at the Children's Mercy STAR Power Program from 1-2:30 p.m. CT at the KC Live! Block in the Power & Light District (50 East 13th St.). The Children's Mercy STAR Power Program is a community outreach initiative that provides classroom-based educaiton and resources for Kansas City-area schools. Click here to learn more.
SETH SINOVIC TO APPEAR AT SPRINT FAMILY FUN DAY ON SATURDAY
Defender Seth Sinovic will appear at the Sprint Family Fun Day on Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT for autographs and photo opportunities in the Power & Light District. Admission is free for all ages as children can enjoy bounce houses, sports games, live music and more.
BIGGSTEPS TOWARD CANCER PREVENTION RUN ON SUNDAY
Sporting KC fans are invited to join the fight against cancer on Sunday for the BIGGSteps Toward Cancer Prevention 10K, 5K, Fun Run and Kids Dash. The event will take place at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas (127th and Quivira Rd.), with registration running from 7-8 a.m. CT before runs begin at 8:30 a.m. Registration is also open online at www.biggsteps.org.
FOUR PLAYERS TO APPEAR AT FAT BRAIN TOYS ON SUNDAY
On Sunday afternoon, Sporting KC's Paulo Nagamura, Diego Rubio, Nuno Coelho and Lawrence Olum will be at Fat Brain Toys' Day of Play at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas. (5601 W. 135th St.) from 3-5 p.m. CT. Each player will be available for autographs and photo opportunities with fans.
SPR SEASON TICKET RENEWALS NOW UNDERWAY
Swope Park Rangers season ticket renewals for the 2017 campaign are now underway, featuring exclusive renewal rewards for supporters from the club’s inaugural season.
Current Season Ticket Members can renew their season tickets for 2017 by logging onto their account manager or calling their client services representative at 888-4KC-GOAL. All season ticket members who renew prior to the Rangers’ regular-season finale against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Sept. 24 will qualify for the below benefits:
- Opportunity for child(ren) to participate in Walk of Champions on September 24 (limited availability)
- Two complimentary tickets for any Swope Park Rangers 2017 home match
- Opportunity to attend a Swope Park Rangers training session followed by meet and greet with players/coaches
- Autographed Swope Park Rangers team poster
Season tickets start as low as $7 per game for all 16 home matches in 2017. Season ticket member benefits include discounted ticket and merchandise pricing, the right to exchange tickets for future home matches, preferred parking on gamedays and access to season ticket member events. More information regarding Season Ticket Member benefits is available here.
GAIL'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON SWEEPSTAKES NOW OPEN
Supporters 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.
KC STAYCATION MARRIOTT SWEEPSTAKES NOW OPEN
Kansas City Marriott Downtown and Sporting KC are launching a month-long, enter-to-win sweepstakes which will run during the month of September. Sporting KC fans can enter to win online by filling out the entry form on this page. The KC Staycation sweepstakes is offering up a prize package for one lucky Sporting KC supporter. The grand prize winner will receive the following:
- Two (2) complimentary nights at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown (Dates based on availability)
- One (1) complimentary dinner for two (2) at the MetropolitanKC
- Twenty-five (25) dollar voucher to CoffeeCentral
- Two (2) tickets to a Sporting KC home game
- One (1) VIP Parking pass
- Two (2) Sporting KC jerseys
- Two (2) Sporting KC scarves
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.
