Sporting Kansas City will face Supporters’ Shield holders New York Red Bulls on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The match, Sporting Kansas City’s first since arriving in Florida last week and second against an MLS opponent during the 2014 preseason, will be live streamed on SportingKC.com. In-game updates will be provided via @SKCGameday on Twitter and on SportingKC.com’s Game On page.
Sporting Kansas City spent their first phase of the 2014 preseason in Tucson, Ariz. at the Kino Sports Complex, where they earned two victories and a draw before returning to KC unbeaten. The reigning MLS Cup champions defeated FC Tucson (PDL) and Indy Eleven (NASL) while also securing a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers.
After a few days of recuperation and tactical training at the Kansas City Chiefs Indoor Facility, Sporting KC returned to the warm weather of Orlando, Fla. on Friday.
The New York Red Bulls spent two weeks in Orlando to kick off the 2014 preseason. The Red Bulls fell 2-0 to the University of South Florida in their first scrimmage of the year before defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.
The match was highlighted by three first half goals with Lloyd Sam giving New York the 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of the match. Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney equalized for the Union, finishing a Vincent Nogueira free kick. Thierry Henry notched the game-winner for the New York Red Bulls shortly before the halftime intermission.
Wednesday’s match will mark the first of four games for Sporting KC and the New York Red Bulls at the eight-team tournament. Sporting Kansas City and the New York Red Bulls will also face Fluminense FC U23 (Brazil) and the Montreal Impact during group play as both sides attempt to advance to the Pro Soccer Classic Championship match on Saturday, March 1.
Prior to Wednesday's first team fixture, the Sporting Kansas City reserves will face Eastern Florida State College at 10 a.m. CT at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
