Sporting KC Weekly Update: April 11, 2012
Sporting KC defeats Chicago Fire in MLS Reserve League
Sporting KC to face Real Salt Lake at home Saturday
Prorated 2012 season ticket plans available
Sporting KC defeats LA Galaxy in front of sold out crowd
Sporting Club's Greg Cotton named to Ingram's 40 Under Forty
Espinoza named Big Brothers Big Sisters spokesperson
Join the Sporting Kansas City Golf League
Besler named MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month
Sports Radio 810 WHB named as radio partner for 2012
Vote for Heartland SPCA to save lives
Sporting Club and YMCA of Greater KC launch Sporting Tykes
Sporting KC unveils Goals for Gillis
Join Sporting KC over the airwaves
Sporting KC unveils boys and girls youth soccer camps for 2012
*Follow Sporting Kansas City online
SPORTING KC DEFEATS CHICAGO FIRE IN MLS RESERVE LEAGUE
Sporting Kansas City defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 yesterday in MLS Reserve League action at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. An early goal from forward Soony Saad sealed the victory for Sporting Kansas City, improving their record to 1-1-1, while the Fire's record stands at 1-2-0.
Sporting Kansas City started the match strong with the lone goal scored in the fourth minute of play. Luke Sassano made a run down the left sideline, cut the ball back onto his right foot and played a service to Soony Saad, who settled the ball with his first touch before releasing a powerful shot to beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Homegrown goalkeeper Jon Kempin earned the shutout in net for Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City will continue 2012 MLS Reserve League play on April 24 when they will host the Colorado Rapids at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
SPORTING KC TO FACE REAL SALT LAKE AT HOME ON SATURDAY
Sporting Kansas City (5-0-0) will be tested by Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake (5-1-0) at 7:30 p.m. CT this Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. The match, presented by Deffenbaugh Industries, will be broadcast on KSMO TV, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
The match is being touted as one of the most exciting of the season and will feature the top two teams in Major League Soccer thus far. Tickets are available for purchase online, by phone at 888-4KC-GOAL or at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park Box Offices.
PRORATED 2012 SEASON TICKET PLANS AVAILABLE
With Sporting Kansas City atop the MLS table with five wins in their first five matches, the time is now to purchase a prorated 2012 season ticket plan. The benefits include discounted rates, priority for purchasing playoff tickets, preferred parking and access to special events. Purchase a plan before 5 p.m. on Friday, April 13 and receive a complimentary general admission ticket to the Real Salt Lake match on Saturday, April 14.
For ticket information, visit www.sportingkc.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL.
SPORTING KC DEFEATS LA GALAXY IN FRONT OF A SOLD OUT CROWD
Sporting Kansas City defeated the reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy 1-0 last saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in front of more than 20,000 fans. Kei Kamara netted the lone goal of the match in the 40th minute off a cross from Bobby Convey. Kamara now has three goals this season, while Convey notched his first assist.
The win marked Sporting Kansas City's fifth win of the season and fourth shutout. The team also set the League's all-time record for most consecutive minutes (245) without allowing a shot on goal.
SPORTING CLUB'S GREG COTTON NAMED TO INGRAM'S 40 UNDER FORTY
Greg Cotton, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for Sporting Club, has been named to Ingram's 40 Under Forty Class of 2012. Cotton negotiates all major contracts and transactions for Sporting Kansas City and handles the company's legal matters. His managing duties extend to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, The Kansas City Soccer Foundation, Sporting Innovations, Blue Roof Entertainment and the Sporting Juniors Youth Development Program.
Cotton is also involved in the community, serving on the board for Providence Saint John Medical Center Foundation, the International Visitors Council of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Cotton also teachers a sports law class at UMKC's School of Law.
The April issue, featuring Cotton, is available on newsstands now.
ESPINOZA NAMED BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SPOKESPERSON
Midfielder Roger Espinoza will serve as a spokesperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City (BBS-KC). The Sporting KC midfielder has been a big brother to 9-year-old Ethan for a year and feels a personal connection with the cause.
Espinoza will star in a volunteer recruitment campaign aimed at finding more Bigs for over 600 waiting kids. Additionally, he will provide BBBS-KC Bigs and Littles Sporting KC tickets and meet and greet opportunities and participate in BBBS-KC events to raise money for the organization.
Espinoza will join Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals and Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs as official spokespeople for BBBS-KC.
JOIN THE SPORTING KANSAS CITY GOLF LEAGUE
The Sporting Kansas City Golf League will continue this year at the Painted Hills Golf Course from May 1- June 26. The league is open to golfers of all experience levels, with an entry fee of $50 per person. The cost includes an end of league party and two tickets to a Sporting Kansas City match.
There is a weekly cost of $25 per person, that includes a 9-Hole Green Fee, a golf cart and drink ticket. To register, click here.
BESLER NAMED MLS W.O.R.K.S. HUMANITARIAN OF THE MONTH
Sporting Kansas City defender and KC native Matt Besler has been named the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the month for his charitable work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Besler is conducting a two-month series of Twitter auctions, which conclude in early May, with proceeds benefiting the society. He is also lending his name to a "Besler Gives Back" package for Sporting's May 5 game against the Montreal Impact. A portion of all proceeds from sales of that package will go to the LLS.
<p>Sports Radio 810 WHB will be the new official radio home of Sporting Kansas City.</p><p>As part of the partnership, 810 WHB will broadcast six Sporting Kansas City matches at LIVE<strong>STRONG</strong> Sporting Park. Sporting Kansas City play-by-play announcer Callum Williams and color analyst Jake Yadrich will feature on each broadcast.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td><p>Following each home match for the remainder of the 2012 season, 810 WHB will also air a new postgame show, The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame, that will allow fans to share their views immediately after every match by calling in at 913-3-810-810. The Final Whistle will be hosted by the commentary team of Josh Whisenhunt and Andy Edwards.</p><p>The show will run in addition to "This Week in Sporting," a new weekly soccer show to air on Tuesday nights on Sports Radio 810 WHB that will feature live fan discussion as well as interviews with Sporting Kansas City players, coaches and executives. </p><a name="spca"><strong>VOTE FOR HEARTLAND SPCA TO SAVE LIVES</strong></a><p><a href="http://cl.exct.net/?qs=810d10d66646f2bff77eaf84bd79a37b74e077a6d60cdd40794f59f8e8f2d347">Heartland SPCA</a> is participating in this year's ASPCA $100K Shelter Challenge. The $100K Challenge is an opportunity for animal shelters all over the country to save more lives and get rewarded for it.</p><p>It's a competition that inspires shelters and their communities to come up with innovative ways to save at least 300 more dogs and cats within a three-month period than were saved during the same three months the year before. With up to $125,000 at stake, Heartland SPCA needs your help.</p><p>Please vote for Heart SPCA at VoteToSaveLives.org. Heartland SPCA is a recent merger of Animal Haven and No More Homeless Pets KC. Heartland SPCA serves more than 18,000 pets each year. Heartland SPCA works to save, protect and improve the lives of animals, while strengthening the relationship between pets and theirhuman companions providing humane sheltering, adoptions, and affordable spay/neuter and veterinary wellness services. </p></td></tr></tbody></table> |
SPORTING CLUB AND YMCA OF GREATER KC LAUNCH SPORTING TYKES
Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Club and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City unveiled a new partnership last month to launch Sporting Tykes, a soccer program for kids between the ages of 3-5 years old.
The program will begin this spring at 12 of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City's 18 locations and will provide six one-hour sessions that will include structured practices and organized games. Each meeting will be designed to build confidence, develop teamwork, teach social skills and introduce the basics of soccer in a positive and fun environment.
Sporting Kansas City will host "Y" night in conjunction with their match on Saturday, May 5, featuring discounted tickets for YMCA members and special gameday activities. YMCA members are encouraged to contact Sporting Kansas City account executive Zach Robinson at 913-387-3421 for ticket information.
SPORTING KC UNVEILS GOAL FOR GILLIS
Sporting Kansas City has partnered with Gillis to launch Goals for Gillis, a program that will raise money to help at-risk children and families with every goal Sporting Kansas City scores throughout the 2012 season.
Fans can participate by making a pledge starting at $1 for every goal that Sporting Kansas City scores during the 2012 season. The top four Goals for Gillis fundraisers will be recognized online and at a special event with Heineman and Sporting Kansas City forward Kei Kamara after the completion of the 2012 season. Those pledging at least $5 per goal by April 30 will be entered to win an autographed, one-of-a-kind portrait of Kamara by local artist Jeffrey Barge.
For more information on Goals for Gillis, click here.
JOIN SPORTING KANSAS CITY OVER THE AIRWAVES
Sporting Kansas City's weekly radio show, The State Line Soccer Show, will again be available over the airwaves this Thursday with hosts Callum Williams and Jake Yadrich on 610 Sports Radio. Tune in from 6-7 p.m. CT to hear from Sporting Kansas City players and call 913-576-7610 to join the discussion around all the latest news.
SPORTING KC UNVEILS BOYS AND GIRLS YOUTH SOCCER CAMPS FOR 2012
Sporting Kansas City and the Sporting Kansas City Juniors youth development academy will again offer a series of youth soccer camps in 2012 for boys and girls of all ages. Please see the list of scheduled camps below:
- Pre-Tryout Camp: June 4-6 for U11-U14 boys ($130)
- Boys & Girls Development Camp: June 18-20 for boys and girls ages 8-12 ($130)
- Sporting Youngsters Camp: June 11-14 for boys and girls ages 4-7 ($100)
- Sporting Development Camp: June 11-14 for boys and girls ages 8-12 ($150)
FOLLOW SPORTING KANSAS CITY ONLINE
Sporting Kansas City fans looking to keep up with the club on the worldwide web now have a place to go. The new social media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players as well as many staff members. Additionally, fans may take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage available online.
