SPORTING KANSAS CITY REGAINS FIRST PLACE IN EAST
Sporting KC defeated the Columbus Crew 2-0 on Sunday at Sporting Park. Jacob Peterson opened the scoring in the 10th minute, his first goal of the 2014 season and the earliest goal scored by Sporting KC this year. Claudio Bieler doubled the lead in second half stoppage time after the Crew's Wil Trapp was sent off for his second caution of the match. Bieler's goal was also his first of 2014 and 11th in regular season action since joining Sporting KC prior to the 2013 season.
SPORTING KC DUO EARN TEAM OF THE WEEK HONORS
Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi and centerback Matt Besler were recognized on the MLS Team of the Week for their performances on Sunday. Besler also drew praise from SI.com's Liviu Bird, who placed the USMNT center back on his Week 9 Best XI. Both SI.com and MLSsoccer.com praised Besler's long pass that initiated the attack on Peterson's first-half goal.
SPORTING KC RECEIVES MLS CUP CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS BY JOSTENS
Sporting KC players and coaches were presented their 2013 MLS Cup championship rings at a special ceremony on Sunday at Sporting Park. Created by Jostens, the leading national custom jewelry designer and producer, the one-of-a-kind MLS Cup championship ring commemorates the team's first MLS Cup since the then-Wizards won in 2000.
Each of the Sporting KC 2013 MLS Cup championship rings are handcrafted in 10-karat white gold with 94 white round brilliant cut diamonds and 17 blue round brilliant cut diamonds. Each ring was presented by a Sporting KC fan that was chosen to take part in the ceremony.
SPORTING KC MEETS THE MONTREAL IMPACT ON SATURDAY
Sporting KC heads to Canada in advance of Saturday's 3 p.m. CT clash against the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo. The Eastern Conference match-up will be shown live locally on 38 The Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT.
The team's official watch parties will be held at Johnny's Tavern locations in the KC Power & Light District (1310 Grand Blvd.) and Overland Park (6765 W. 119th St.), featuring food and drink specials including select Boulevard drafts as well as the "Blue Believer" signature cocktail (Dragon Berry, Lemon-Lime Red Bull and Blue Curacao).
MLS ALL-STAR GAME NAMED EVENT OF THE YEAR
The 2013 MLS All-Star Game, held at Sporting Park on July 31, was awarded Event of the Year on Wednesday at the Kansas City, Kansas Convention and Visitors Bureau's Tourism Celebration luncheon at the Jack Reardon Convention Center. Chosen by the Board of Directors, the Event of the Year award is anually presented to a limited time event held in Wyandotte County that significantly contributed to tourism.
The All-Star Game featured Italy's AS Roma in front of a capacity crowd of 21,175 that attracted ticket buyers from 36 states. The match was broadcast worldwide, including a U.S. television audience of more than 600,000 on ESPN2 and UniMas.
ART IN THE PARK ON MAY 14 AT SPORTING PARK
ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council and Sporting KC will continue their art and soccer themed partnership with a special "Art in the Park" event held at Sporting Park during the May 14 game against the Philadelphia Union. A continuation of First Friday's "Beautiful Game" art exhibition which took place at the Sporting KC offices in the Crossroads Arts District this past week, "Art in the Park" will feature a gallery of the 24 soccer inspired original works on the Ivy Funds Executive Level and "Shades of Jade," a Jazz/Neo Soul/Hip hip quartet, which will be playing on the Sprint Plaza. Beautiful Game gallery artists will be recognized at halftime and signed, numbered posters created especially for the event by local artists Nicholas Naughton of La Cucaracha Press will be for sale.
Tickets for "Art in the Park" are available online at hhtp://artskc.org/events/artinthepark/ through Friday, May 10. For ticket sales after May 10, please contact Deanna Repollet at drepollet@sportingkc.com or 609-240-5495. Learn more about "Art in the Park" here.
NEW PEPSI BILLBOARDS ON DISPLAY FEATURING MATT BESLER AND GRAHAM ZUSI
Sporting KC defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi are featured in Pepsi's new "For Club and Country" billboards, on display this month at three locations in the Kansas City area:
- 435 near Truman Sports Complex (facing north)
- I-70 at Lydia (facing east)
- I-35 at Mill Street (facing south)
AFFILIATES IN ACTION: ORLANDO CITY TOPS ENERGY FC
Sporting KC has partnered with USL PRO clubs Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC for the 2014 season. The two USL PRO clubs met on Sunday as Orlando City SC won their fifth consecutive league match, a 3-1 result over OKC Energy FC, to remain atop the USL PRO standings. All four Sporting KC loanees -- Jon Kempin, Christian Duke, Mikey Lopez and Kevin Ellis -- featured in the match. Get full details here.
ERIC KRONBERG NOMINATED FOR MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Eric Kronberg has been nominated for MLS Save of the Week for his stop on Bernardo Anor's header in the 31st minute on Sunday. Vote for Kronberg, one of five nominees, online until 1:59 a.m. CT on Friday. The other nominees are Bobby Shuttleworth, Zac MacMath, Sean Johnson and Luis Robles.
SOONY SAAD AND DOM DWYER AT RALLY HOUSE NORTH KC
On Tuesday, Sporting KC forwards Dom Dwyer and Soony Saad made a special appearance at Rally House North KC to sign autographs. Those in attendance had the opportunity to enter into the Rally House Ultimate Fan Experience, a month-long sweepstakes to win a $500 gift card for a shopping spree with a Sporting KC player, an authentic Sporting KC jersey, two tickets to a Sporting KC match and a gameday experience featuring a player meet-and-greet, stadium tour and pre-game field access.
SPORTING KC SHOW ON 810 WHB
Sporting Kansas City's Alex Martinez made his first appearance on the Sporting KC Show on Tuesday. Martinez joined hosts Callum Williams, Andy Edwards and Carter Augustine as the audience got to know the Uruguayan central midfielder. Listen to the full archived podcast on Sports Radio 810 WHB.
Additionally, Sporting Kansas City striker Dom Dwyer was a guest on The Border Patrol with Sports Radio 810 WHB hosts Steven St. John and Nate Bukaty on Wednesday. Listen to his interview online at 810whb.com.
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.
