MATCH INFORMATION:
Sporting Kansas City at Chivas USA
Saturday, March 19, 2011 – 9:30 p.m. CT
Home Depot Center | Carson, California
English TV: KSMO-TV (local)
MLS Direct Kick: Ch. 476 (DirecTV), Ch. 458 (DISH Network)
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
For full game notes: Click Here
Sporting Kansas City will open the 2011 season on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT on the road against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The club returns several of the top performers from the 2010 season, including leading goal scorer Kei Kamara, midfielder/captain Davy Arnaud and All-Star goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, alongside the addition of Designated Player Omar Bravo.
Bravo, one of three Designated Players new to Major League Soccer this season, is expected to make his debut for Sporting Kansas City on Saturday against Chivas USA, sister club of Chivas Guadalajara, where he ranks second all-time on the Mexican club’s goal scoring chart.
Sporting Kansas City will be without creative playmaker Ryan Smith, on the road to recovery from a knee injury, and fellow Englishman Korede Aiyegbusi who is out with a left ankle sprain. However, striker Teal Bunbury did travel with the team on Thursday and could be available for selection after suffering a dislocated elbow during pre-season.
The team will face a revamped Chivas USA side under new Manager Robin Fraser and looking to rebound from an 8-18-4 record and last place finish in the Western Conference a year ago. Sporting Kansas City is 5-4-3 all-time versus Chivas USA, picking up their first road win in the series in 2010.
Saturday’s match will be telecast live in high definition on KSMO-TV, including a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 9:00 p.m. CT. The game will also be broadcast over the airwaves in Spanish on La Gran D 1340 AM. Fans can also participate in a live chat on SportingKC.com and follow the game via Sporting Kansas City’s gameday Twitter feed.
