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Goalkeepers writing books is becoming a bit of a trend in Kansas City. Jimmy Nielsen recently released "Welcome To The Blue Heaven: Don't Bet Against the Goalkeeper" but he wasn't the first Kansas City goalkeeper to do so. Back in 2008, Kevin Hartman released a children's book entitled "Boots Saves The Day."
Hartman must have been foreshadowing Nielsen's arrival in Kansas City. The front cover of his book looks eerily similar to Nielsen making a diving save in goal.
Be sure to join Nielsen in the Shield Club after Sunday's match against the Houston Dynamo to get your copy of "Welcome to the Blue Heaven" signed by the goalkeeper himself.
The Sporting KC Show aired live from The Futbol Club Eatery and Tap last night with hosts Callum Williams and Andy Edwards once again behind the mics for the weekly show on Sports Radio 810 WHB. But it was Sporting KC goalkeeper and team captain Jimmy Nielsen that stole show with his guest appearance which drew more than 100 fans to the new business.
Listen to the podcast of last night's show on 810whb.com, which also featured an interview with Houston Dynamo captain Brad Davis ahead of Sunday's rematch at Sporting Park. A limited number of tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com and at the Sporting Park Box Offices.
Nielsen was also the subject of the Kansas City Star's live chat on Tuesday, taking questions from readers on a wide variety of subjects after the team's training. Fans can find the full transcript of that Q&A online at KansasCity.com. And, as always, fans can fire questions at him on Twitter at @PumaNielsen1.
Better yet? Meet Nielsen after Sunday's match and get a copy of his new book, Welcome to the Blue Heaven, to have signed by the 2012 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Sporting Kansas City captain Jimmy Nielsen will be hosting a book signing for his new book, Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Don’t Bet Against the Goalkeeper, on Sunday at Sporting Park following Sporting KC's match versus the Houston Dynamo at 2:30 p.m. CT. The signing will be held in the Shield Club approximately 30-45 minutes after the conclusion of the match and books will be available for purchase, priced at $24.95 each. Fans may purchase as many books as they would like, however, individuals will only be permitted to have one book signed by Nielsen at the signing.
Nielsen will be instructed not to sign other items at the event and will not be posing for pictures with fans in efforts to expedite the signing process and ensure that all in attendance receive an autograph. A Sporting KC staff photographer will be present at the signing to capture candids at the event. The photos will be accessible for download at www.sportingkc.com/blog. For more information regarding Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Don't Bet Against the Goalkeeper and additional book signing dates, please visit www.sportingkc.com/book-release.
Welcome to the Blue Heaven tells Nielsen's inspiring life story. Throughout the book, the Denmark native elaborates on a troubling gambling addiction that tested his family, as well as his soccer career which has taken him across the globe. Retirement appeared possible until, in a leap of faith, Nielsen accepted an offer from Sporting Kansas City -- a team he had never heard of -- in January of 2010. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Fifteen years ago today, Digital Takawira scored one of the most impressive hat tricks in MLS history. The striker scored three goals in a nine-minute span to lead Kansas City to a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution.
Digital stopped by Sporting Park earlier this year and reminisced on the feat, saying, "It was like boom, boom, boom!" Enjoy today's Throwback Thursday featuring his signature "Digital Crawl" celebration.
Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler joined The Border Patrol on Sports Radio 810 WHB this morning, chatting with show hosts Steven St. John, Nate Bukaty and Jake Gutierrez. The 15-minute segment touched on several topics, including the win in Houston last Sunday and Besler's eagerness to return to the lineup after missing the last three matches with a knee injury. Listen to the audio archive here.
Besler is also in the national discussion today as U.S. Men's National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann revealed his roster for the team's five upcoming matches. Besler and Zusi are two of five MLS field players on the list and SportingKC.com caught up with both players after today's Sporting KC training session to get their reaction:
Photo by Graham Green
Sporting KC midfielder Benny Feilhaber joined hosts Callum Williams and Andy Edwards on this week's edition of The Sporting KC Show on Sports Radio 810 WHB last night live from Em Chamas Brazilian Grill. The playmaker is second on the squad with three assists this season, one behind League leader Graham Zusi, and he shared his thoughts on the team's start to the 2013 season, the emergence of Peterson Joseph in the midfield and his U.S. Men's National Team hopes for the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer. His 10-minute interview comes from 2:30-12:30 in the audio archive.
The show also spoke with D.C. United midfielder and Canadian international Kyle Porter. The 23-year-old has started each of D.C. United's last four games, pairing with fellow Canadian Dwayne De Rosario in the midfield, and he provided the view from the opposition's side ahead of Sporting Kansas City's trip to RFK Stadium on Sunday. That segment can be found from 30:45-36:30 in the podcast.
Or, of course, you can listen to the full show online at 810whb.com.
Paulo Nagamura stepped up in Sunday's match and now it's time once again for #VoteSporting.
The midfielder's goalline clearance in the second half against the Houston Dynamo has been nominated for this week's MLSSoccer.com Save of the Week. The save was in the 80th minute and prevented a Jason Johnson header from crossing the goalline.
Voting is open until Thursday evening with the winner to be announced on Friday.
You can view the full list of nominees below and submit your vote using the poll on the right or on MLSSoccer.com.
Kei Kamara's back in Kansas City and was recently on MLSSoccer.com's Extratime Radio. Kamara spoke about his time with Norwich City, Sporting KC's win at Houston, and of course his favorite restaurant, Chipotle. You can listen to the full interview below, which starts at about the 6:00 mark.
Graham Zusi joined Glenn Davis on Dynamo All-Access ahead of Sporting KC's trip to Houston for tonight's showdown between the Eastern Conference contenders. Hit play below to hear from the reigning MLS Player of the Week for his thoughts on renewing the rivalry...
Speaking of Zusi and the radio, MLSSoccer.com talked musical tastes and compiled a Spotify playlist with some of the National Teamer's favorites.
Need more noise? Jake Yadrich, color commentator for the Sporting KC Television Network, joined T.J. Carpenter on Sports Radio 810 WHB for a SportsNight segment on Thursday. Listen to the full interview online at 810whb.com.
Sports Radio 810 WHB will simulcast tonight's match with The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show immediately afterward. Call 913-3-810-810 to join the discussion with hosts Dave Borchardt and Andy Edwards.
Roger Espinoza made history on Saturday afternoon as the first player ever to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and English FA Cup in consecutive years. The former Sporting KC midfielder started and played 90 minutes for Wigan today in their 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The victory comes only months after Espinoza was a part of the Sporting KC squad that defeated Seattle on August 8, 2012 to lift the U.S. Open Cup trophy.
Full video highlights of the FA Cup final are available below.