A pair of MLS originals will renew their longstanding rivalry in a marquee Western Conference matchup on Wednesday night when second-place Sporting Kansas City (5-3-2, 17 points) hosts the third-place Colorado Rapids (5-2-1, 16 points) at Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT and tickets for the match are available at SeatGeek.com.
Supporters attending Wednesday’s contest have plenty to be excited about on the field—Sporting and Colorado have enjoyed great starts to the season—and elsewhere around Children’s Mercy Park. In fact, there are more than a few reasons for fans to arrive plenty early.
To make the most of your matchday experience on Wednesday night, take note of each of the following in the space below.
A New Sporting Legend
At approximately 7:15 p.m. CT, former captain and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen will be inducted as the newest member of the Sporting Legends hall of honor during a ceremony on the field. Nielsen, of course, led Sporting to the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2013 MLS Cup as one of the greatest goalkeepers in MLS history.
Nielsen Book Signing
Known as the White Puma and beloved by fans, Nielsen will sign copies of Sporting’s new commemorative book “One Club” from 6-6:50 p.m. CT on the Mazuma Plaza. Supporters who already own a copy of the book will be permitted to bring it into the stadium on Wednesday.
“One Club” on Sale
Fans who have yet to secure a copy of “One Club” can purchase the 208-page hardback book at either of SportingStyle’s two primary locations on the Children’s Mercy Park concourse. The book is available at $25 for Season Tickets Members and $40 for non-STMs. "One Club" chronicles the modest beginnings and meteoric rise of Sportingthrough the lens of club legends and passionate supporters alike. Featuring untold stories, anecdotes and interviews with many of the players, coaches and fans who shaped the course of soccer in Kansas City, the comprehensive work brings to life Sporting’s remarkable evolution over the last 25 years.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Capsule Collection
Sporting the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum have partnered to commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Negro leagues by launching a limited-edition capsule collection for supporters that will debut Wednesday at all SportingStyle locations. The vintage capsule collection combines the nostalgic look of the Negro leagues with Sporting’s classic soccer threads and features a T-shirt, a match scarf and two different hats.
Vaccination Discount
Fans in attendance who present their COVID-19 vaccination cards will receive 30% off their purchases at all SportingStyle locations inside the stadium. The initiative comes as part of Kansas City's ongoing effort to fight COVID-19.
Take note that three selections of Sporting Kansas City merchandise will not be discounted on Wednesday: club jerseys, The Victory Project's "Be a Force for Good" t-shirts and the new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum capsule collection.
Vaccines on the Plaza
Haven’t been vaccinated yet? Supporters can do so Wednesday on the Mazuma Plaza, where the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas will be administering vaccinations from 6 p.m. CT until halftime of the match.
