Sporting KC hosts CD Olimpia in CCL Group 2 finale tonight
Sporting KC plays for shot at Supporters' Shield on Saturday
Sporting KC playoff tickets to go on sale Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. CT
Dom Dwyer goal propels Sporting KC past D.C. United
Sporting KC sets new attendance record in 2013
Bob Gansler inducted into Sporting Legends
Seth Sinovic earns Team of the Week honors
Annual team awards unveiled at Pitch Black
Jimmy Nielsen appears on The Sporting KC Show
Tickets on sale for Big 12 Soccer Championship in KC
Braden's Hope/Sporting KC calendars now on sale
Sporting Park box office shifts to gameday hours only
Enter to win Chipotle catering for 20
Secure 2014 season tickets at Sporting Park
Follow Sporting KC online
SPORTING KC HOSTS CD OLIMPIA IN CCL GROUP 2 FINALE TONIGHT
Sporting KC hosts C.D. Olimpia tonight in their final CONCACAF Champions League group stage match. The match, to be held at Sporting Park, will be broadcast on FOX Soccer Plus and Univision Deportes 2 beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
A limited number of tickets are still available for tonight's decisive match and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or at the Sporting Park Box Offices.
Sporting KC sits in first place of Group 2 heading into tonight's game , one point ahead of C.D. Olimpia in the Group 2 standings. With a win or draw tonight against C.D. Olimpia, Sporting KC will advance to the quarterfinal round of CCL.
SPORTING KC PLAYS FOR SHOT AT SUPPORTERS' SHIELD ON SATURDAY
Sporting Kansas City returns to MLS competition at 2 p.m. CT on Saturday as they take on the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park in their final regular season match of 2013 . The clubs have met on two previous occasions this season, including one prior match-up at PPL Park. Sporting KC earned the 3-1 road victory in March before securing a 1-0 result at Sporting Park in September.
With a victory on Saturday, Sporting KC has the potential to finish in first place of Major League Soccer and earn the Supporters' Shield. For Sporting KC to secure first in the League, the New York Red Bulls must lose or draw against the Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Sporting KC fans can watch live on the NBC Sports Network or track the match online by visiting SportingKC.com/GameOn or by following @SKCGameday on Twitter.
SPORTING KC PLAYOFF TICKETS TO GO ON SALE OCT. 29 AT 10 A.M. CT
Tickets for 2013 MLS Cup Playoff games at Sporting Park will go on sale to the general public on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. CT. Currently, Season Ticket Members can purchase playoff tickets through their My Sporting KC accounts.
Following last Friday's win over D.C. United, Sporting KC is assured a top-two finish in the Eastern Conference. If Sporting KC defeats the Philadelphia Union in their regular season finale on Saturday (2 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Network) and the New York Red Bulls fail to beat the Chicago Fire on Sunday (3 p.m. CT, UniMas), Sporting KC will clinch the Supporters' Shield and the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs.
Last week, Major League Soccer announced the dates for the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs. They are as follows:
- Knockout Games: Oct. 30-31 (Wed.-Thurs.)
- Conference Semifinals, Leg 1: Nov. 2-3 (Sat.-Sun.)
- Conference Semifinals, Leg 2: Nov. 6-7 (Wed.-Thurs.)
- Conference Finals, Leg 1: Nov. 9-10 (Sat.-Sun.)
- Conference Finals, Leg 2: Nov. 23-24 (Sat.-Sun.)
- MLS Cup: Dec. 7 (Sat.)
DOM DYWER GOAL PROPELS SPORTING KC PAST D.C. UNITED
Dom Dwyer gave Sporting Kansas City a 1-0 lead just seven minutes into Sporting KC's match against D.C. United last week in the team's regular season home finale and Jimmy Nielsen kept his 13th clean sheet of the season, most in MLS this year, to keep Sporting Kansas City within one point of the New York Red Bulls for the Supporters' Shield and Eastern Conference titles. Read the full match recap , as well as photos, highlights, quotes and more on SportingKC.com.
SPORTING KC SETS NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD IN 2013
Sporting Kansas City has set a new club attendance record of 335,058 (19,709 per match) for the 2013 Major League Soccer regular season. The number improves on last season's record attendance of 19,404.
Sporting KC sold out all 17 regular season home matches this season and dating back to 2012 has sold out 33 consecutive MLS matches. Along with the season record, the club broke the single-game record with 21,304 in attendance on August 3 versus the New York Red Bulls.
It's been a very successful year at Sporting Park in which the stadium has hosted the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game and the United States Men's National Team for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
BOB GANSLER INDUCTED INTO SPORTING LEGENDS
At halftime of Friday's 1-0 victory over D.C. United, former KC manager Bob Gansler was formally inducted into the inaugural class of Sporting Legends . Gansler managed eight seasons in Kansas City (1999-2006) and his 95 career wins rank seventh most in MLS history. In 2000, Gansler was named MLS Coach of the Year for his role in the team's MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield trophies. In 2004, he lifted the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and led KC back to the MLS Cup final.
SETH SINOVIC EARNS TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORS
Sporting KC defender Seth Sinovic has been named to the MLS Team of the Week following Friday night's performance against D.C. United.
Sinovic played 90 minutes and held down the left flank for a defensive unit that limited D.C. United to only six shot attempts (one on target). Sinovic also set a career high on Friday with 31 games played this season and tied his career high of 30 games started in a single-season.
ANNUAL TEAM AWARDS UNVEILED AT PITCH BLACK
On Saturday, Sporting Park hosted Pitch Black, a year-end awards ceremony and celebration for Sporting Kansas City. The event, presented by Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City recognized Sporting Kansas City players and allowed fans to mingle with their favorite team members.
Sporting Kansas City players, coaches, media members and fans voted on the following awards:
- 2013 Most Valuable Player, presented by Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City: Graham Zusi
- 2013 Offensive player of the Year, presented by Providence Medical Center: Graham Zusi
- 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, presented by Ivy Funds: Matt Besler
- 2013 Goal of the Year, presented by Power Partners: Benny Feilhaber, Aug. 31 vs. Colorado Rapids at Sporting Park
- 2013 Newcomer of the Year, presented by UMB Bank: Ike Opara
Additionally, the club chose the following awards:
- 2013 Golden Boot, presented by US Bank: Claudio Bieler
- 2013 The Victory Project Humanitarian of the Year: Aurelien Collin
- 2013 Bob Gansler Award (Outstanding Academy Player), presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City: David Leichty
- 2013 Sporting Club Network Club of the Year, presented by Pepsi: Kansas Rush Soccer Club
- 2013 Academy Affiliate Club of the Year, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City" Sporting StL Rangers.
JIMMY NIELSEN APPEARS ON THE SPORTING KC SHOW
The Sporting KC Show aired on Sports Radio 810 WHB from 7-8 p.m. CT on Tuesday with hosts Callum Williams, Andy Edwards and Carter Augustine discussing all the news around Sporting Kansas City and Major League Soccer.
Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen and Philadelphia Union defender Jeff Parke joined the conversation. Click here to listen to the full podcast.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR BIG 12 SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP IN KC
Tickets for the 2013 Big 12 Soccer Championship are now available through Ticketmaster. The Championship will take place Nov. 6, 8 and 10 at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City. To purchase tickets visit Big12Sports.com. Day passes cost $9, three-day tournament passes are $14 and 20-ticket group packages are available for $120.
Sporting Club and the University of Kansas will co-host this year's championship, which will feature the Big 12's top eight teams competing for the Conference's postseason title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division 1 Women's Soccer Championship.
BRADEN'S HOPE/SPORTING KC CALENDARS NOW ON SALE
For the second consecutive year, Sporting KC has partnered with Braden's Hope to raise funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer. Sporting KC fans can support the cause by purchasing the Braden's Hope/Sporting KC calendar. The 2014 calendar features 12 different Sporting KC players paired with childhood cancer heroes.
Calendars can be purchased at Sporting Style stores at Sporting Park as well as online at bradenshope.org. All of the proceeds from calendar sales go directly to raise awareness and funds for targeted treatments of childhood cancer.
SPORTING PARK BOX OFFICE SHIFTS TO GAMEDAY HOURS ONLY
The Sporting Park Box Offices will only operate on gamedays for the remainder of the 2013 season. Please note the following gameday box office hours:
-
East Box Office
- 10 a.m. CT - Halftime
- West Box Office
- 3 hours prior to kickoff - Halftime
All tickets for upcoming Sporting KC home matches and additional events at Sporting Park may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.
ENTER TO WIN CHIPOTLE CATERING FOR 20
Sporting KC and Chipotle Mexican Grill are teaming up for a sweepstakes that will give away two prize packages featuring free Chipotle for 20. Text "SKCParty1" to 888222 through Oct. 31 and you'll be entered to win a feast for 20 of Chipotle's gourmet burritos, tacos, burrito bowls and salads. For official rules, visit Chipotle.com/SKCSweeps.
Chipotle, which opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and now operates more than 1,500 restaurants worldwide, is an official partner of Sporting Kansas City and offers catering at their Missouri and Kansas locations.
SECURE 2014 SEASON TICKETS AT SPORTING PARK
Sporting Kansas City is now taking deposits for new season ticket members for the 2014 season at state-of-the-art Sporting Park. The non-refundable deposits are $150 per seat for premium areas and $50 per seat for all other sections and provide fans with priority position for securing full season tickets in 2014.
Additionally, all fans on the Sporting Kansas City season ticket member waiting list will be given access to pre-sale opportunities for select special events at Sporting Park (subject to availability). For more information, click here or stop by the Sporting KC sales tables tonight at Sporting Park -- conveniently located on the concourse near the Budweiser Corner or by the East Stand.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC ONLINE
Sporting Kansas City fans looking to keep up with the club on the worldwide web now have a place to go. The 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.
Also, Sporting Kansas City's 2013 media guide is now available online and fans can find all the latest information for Sporting Kansas City matches at SportingKC.com/GameOn.
