- Sporting Kansas City tied Real Esteli FC 1-1 on Tuesday in the team's opening match of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League.
- This is the second straight year Sporting KC and Real Esteli were drawn into the same CCL group, as well as the second consecutive year Sporting KC has opened their CCL campaign in Nicaragua.
- In the 2013-14 edition of the tournament, Sporting KC defeated Real Esteli FC 2-0 at Estadio Independencia and played to a 1-1 draw at Sporting Park.
- Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin and winger Antonio Dovale made their CONCACAF Champions League debuts on Tuesday.
- Kevin Ellis replaced Igor Juliao in the starting lineup (right back) for Sporting KC on Tuesday. Ellis scored his first Sporting KC goal in the 2013-14 CCL quarterfinals against Cruz Azul.
- Sporting KC is one of five MLS clubs in the 2014-15 CCL. Sporting KC is the only American team competing in the tournament for a second straight year.
- Jorge Claros is Sporting Kansas City's most experienced player in the CONCACAF Champions League. Claros played in nine games for Motagua (HON) in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 tournaments in addition to making his first appearance for Sporting KC in the 2014-15 edition of the tournament on Tuesday.
- Soony Saad is the only player on Sporting KC's active roster with multiple CONCACAF Champions League goals (two) for the club. Saad started on Tuesday in the attack.
- Tuesday's match was broadcast on FPX Soccer Plus and Univision Deportes as well as online at FOX Soccer 2Go.
- Real Esteli is tied for first place in the Nicaraguan Primera Division's Apertura season with a 3-0-0 record.
- Esteli leads the Primera Division with nine goals scored, while Rudel Calero (4) and Samuel Wilson (3) top the league's scoring list.
- Esteli has won the last 7 Apertura and Clausura titles in Nicaragua and are the only team to represent the country in CCL competition.
- Sporting KC is in first place in MLS with 42 points and a 12-6-6 record.
- Real Esteli is 0-29-8 in CONCACAF matches since 1991.
- Real Esteli is 0-9-5 since 2008, but 12 of their 14 matches have been decided by one goal or less.
- Real Esteli gained the early lead on Tuesday from a Sporting Kansas City own goal in the sixth minute.
- Antonio Dovale leveled the score at 1-1 in the 16th minute with a perfectly placed free kick past Justo Lorente.
- Sporting KC is 6-4-5 in CCL all-time.
- Sporting KC returns to MLS action on Saturday night as they host D.C. United at Sporting Park at 7:30 p.m. CT.
- Sporting KC's next two CCL matches will be at Sporting Park. Sporting KC will host Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa on September 18 before welcoming Real Esteli on September 23.
- Sporting KC's final group stage match will be in Costa Rica at Estadio Ricardo on October 23.
