Academy

Sporting KC Weekly Update: June 29, 2016

Ike Opara and Soni Mustivar - Sporting KC at Montreal Impact - June 25, 2016

SPORTING KC TO FACE HOUSTON DYNAMO TONIGHT IN OPEN CUP
Sporting KC continues its defense of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight, facing rivals Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on SportingKC.com.


Unbeaten in four games during the month of June, Sporting KC reached the Round of 16 with a 2-1 extra time win at Minnesota United FC on June 15. Tonightā€™s encounter is a rematch of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal which Sporting KC won 3-1 at Childrenā€™s Mercy Park. The rivals have squared off 21 times in all competitions since 2011, including five playoff games and two Open Cup meetings. (Full preview)


In addition to watching a live stream on SportingKC.com, supporters can follow tonightā€™s match via Twitter at @SKCGameday and on Sporting KC Uphoria, the clubā€™s official mobile app.


SPORTING KC TO HOST COLUMBUS CREW SC ON SUNDAY
Following tonight's U.S. Open Cup showdown, Sporting KC (6-8-4, 22 points) will return home to host Columbus Crew SC (3-5-7, 16 points) on Sunday at Children's Mercy Park. The game is set to kick off at 6 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally on FS1 and FOX Deportes. Local radio broadcasts will be available on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM, and The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show will air immediately after the match on 810 WHB. Tickets for the interconference clash can be secured via Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.

Defender Matt Besler and winger Graham Zusi will rejoin Sporting KC this week after spending the previous month with the United States Men's National Team at the Copa America Centenario.


SPORTING KC EARNS 2-2 DRAW AT MONTREAL IMPACT
Dom Dwyer continued his remarkable scoring rate against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, netting a brace as Sporting KC twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 road draw in an entertaining affair at Stade Saputo.


The Impact (5-4-6, 21 points) went ahead on two occasions through Lucas Ontivero and Ignacio Piatti, but Sporting KC (6-8-4, 22 points) struck back with Dwyerā€™s eighth and ninth goals in just five meetings against Montreal. In doing so, the Englishman vaults into second place in Sporting KC history with 53 career goals across all competitions and 44 in MLS regular season play. (Full story)


SPORTING KC SIGNS HONDURAN INTERNATIONAL EVER ALVARADO
Sporting KC has signed 24-year-old Honduran international defender Ever Alvarado, the club announced last Friday. Alvarado will occupy an international roster spot when the Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 4, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.


Alvarado has earned six caps for the Honduras Menā€™s National Team since debuting in October 2015. He has played three matches for his country this year and opened his international scoring account in Hondurasā€™ 3-1 victory over Nicaragua on Jan. 28. A native of El Negrito, Honduras, Alvarado joins Sporting KC from C.D. Olimpia, the most successful club in his native country. (Full story)


DATES AND TIMES SET FOR CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
CONCACAF announced on Tuesday the dates and times for the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. Paired in Group C alongside fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago, Sporting KCwill play its first two group stages matches on the road. Manager Peter Vermesā€™ men will face Central FC on Aug. 16 at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, before venturing north to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Aug. 23 at BC Place. Sporting KC will then host Vancouver Whitecaps on Sept. 13 and Central FC on Oct. 19, with both games kicking off at 7 p.m. CT. (Full story)


SPORTING KC LOANS AMADOU DIA TO SWOPE PARK RANGERS
Sporting KC announced Saturday that the club has loaned defender Amadou Dia to the Swope Park Rangers. Dia has made 32 regular season appearances since Sporting KC selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The 23-year-old defender has featured in 10 matches this season with nine starts. (Full story)


SPORTING KC WAIVES MIDFIELDER JORDI QUINTILLA
Sporting KC has waived midfielder Jordi Quintilla, the club announced last Thursday. Quintilla joined Sporting KC in August 2015 and played 15 matches for the club across all competitions. The 22-year-old tallied one assist in six MLS appearances this season while also starting one match for the Swope Park Rangers. (Full story)


DOM DWYER NAMED TO MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sporting KC's best player in Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Montreal Impact landed MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week recognition Monday. Striker Dom Dwyer found his scoring form against his favorite victims with a devastating two-goal performance at Stade Saputo. The Englishman was named among Week 16's best performers as Sporting KC earned a valuable road point north of the border. (Full story)


JULY PASS 4-PACK NOW AVAILABLE ON SPORTING KC UPHORIA
Sporting KC Uphoria is now offering a can't-miss ticket package for Sporting KC supporters. The July Pass 4-Pack is just $59 and includes Standing Room Only (SRO) tickets to home matches at Children's Mercy Park on July 3, 10, 24 and 31. In addition, those who purchase the four-pack will have the chance to receive a seat location upgrade at no additional cost. To secure your July Pass 4-Pack, click here.


RANGERS EARN 2-0 WIN OVER SOUNDERS FC 2
The Swope Park Rangers earned a 2-0 road win over Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington, on Sunday afternoon. Second-half goals from Kris Tyrpak and Mark Anthony Gonzalez saw the Rangers to their first road win since April 2. (Full story)


RANGERS DEFENDER AMER DIDIC NAMED TO USL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Swope Park Rangers defender Amer Didic has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 14 of the 2016 season. Didic was instrumental in preserving the Rangersā€™ second shutout of the season in Sundayā€™s 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC 2. (Full story)


RANGERS LOAN VANCOMPERNOLLE TO OKC ENERGY FC
The Swope Park Rangers have loaned defender Jacob VanCompernolle to fellow USL Western Conference side OKC Energy FC, the club announced Tuesday. VanCompernolle will remain with the Energy until the conclusion of the 2016 USL season. Under the terms of the loan, he will be ineligible to play against the Rangers. (Full story)


SPORTING KC ACADEMY U-18S ADVANCE TO USSDA QUARTERFINALS
The Sporting KC U-18s advanced to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy quarterfinals after a stunning string of results on Sunday at the USSDA Playoffs in Frisco, Texas. The U-18s' 6-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, coupled with top-ranked Blau Weiss Gottschee's 3-2 loss to the Capital Area RailHawks, completed an unlikely scenario in which Sporting KC topped Group H. As one of eight group stage winners, Sporting KC will now face FC Dallas in the USSDA quarterfinals on July 7. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates. (Full story)


TICKETS ON SALE FOR BUZZ BEACH BALL 2016
Tickets are on sale for Buzz Beach Ball 2016, presented by Sporting KC and 96.5 The Buzz. Buzz Beach Ball 2016 will be held July 16-17 at Children's Mercy Park, marking the first time the show has been extended to a second day. Twenty-four artists are slated for the concert, including Cage The Elephant and Alabama Shakes. Single-day tickets start at $35 and weekend passes can be purchased for as low as $49.


WESTLAKE ACE HARDWARE HELPFUL MOMENT OF THE MONTH
Voting for the Westlake Ace Hardware Helpful Moment of the Month is now open at SportingKC.com/helpful. Supporters can choose among three nominees for the month of June, with each participant receiving a $7 coupon to Westlake Ace Hardware locations in the Kansas City area. The grand prize includes a $300 Westlake gift card, a Sporting KC replica jersey and tickets to an upcoming match at Children's Mercy Park.


WIN A TRIP TO SEE SPORTING KC PLAY IN PORTLAND
Supporters can visit amfam.com/sportingkc to enter a sweepstakes for a free, all-inclusive trip to see Sporting KC play at the defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers on Aug. 7. The winner will receive airfare for four, Sporting KC gear, four game tickets to the game, a $1,000 bank card, and two hotel rooms for two nights in close proximity to Providence park.


FOLLOW SPORTING KC
For news, photographs and instant updates throughout the 2016 season, follow Sporting KC on its TwitterInstagramFacebook and Snapchat (sportingkc) accounts and visit the club's social media page.