Photo via @RcHaarer on Twitter
Sporting KC and the Portland Timbers stand one game away from facing off in MLS Cup 2013, adding an extra bit of spice to the news out of Tucson, Ariz. that the two teams will meet in a pre-season friendly on Feb. 1 at North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex. USL Premier Development League side FC Tucson -- In conjunction with the stadium's inaugural event, a Fall Showcase against Chivas USA tonight -- revealed the preliminary schedule for the 11 MLS teams that will be making pre-season stops in The Old Pueblo in 2014.
After breaking ground in April, North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex officially opened last month. The development is part of Pima County’s multi-million dollar investment to make improvements at the facility, including a sixth soccer field, scoreboard, entrance, concessions and restrooms. The upcoming season will mark the fourth straight year that Sporting KC has selected Tucson as a pre-season site; the club will announce the team's full 2014 pre-season schedule next week.
Portland and Sporting KC met in Tucson in the 2013 preseason ahead of successful regular seasons for both clubs. The Timbers finished atop the Western Conference standings and, like Sporting KC, will host the decisive second leg in the Conference Championship round of the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs next weekend.
