Starting XI: Minnesota Rematch

Starting XI is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.

First in the Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City hosts Minnesota United FC on Sunday looking to stay at the top of the table. With Sporting KC forward Johnny Russell departing for Scotland MNT duties, this will be the first match Sporting KC is playing without him on the pitch. Tune in to FS1 at 7:30 p.m. CT Sunday or purchase tickets on SeatGeek.com to catch the rematch from a 1-1 tie on the road on May 20.

2. Single Game Tickets Now on Sale

Now on sale, you can purchase single game tickets for Sporting KC’s final seven home games in Children’s Mercy Park for 2018 on SeatGeek.com. For additional information on group tickets packages, call 888-4KC-GOAL. Sporting Kansas City, in first place by four points in the Western Conference, own six shutouts in the last nine games. Match tickets for the final seven matches can be purchased below:

• Saturday, July 28 vs. FC Dallas (tickets)
• Saturday, Aug. 18 vs. Portland Timbers (tickets)
• Saturday, Aug. 25 vs. Minnesota United FC (tickets)
• Saturday, Sept. 8 vs. Orlando City SC (tickets)
• Sunday, Sept. 30 vs. Real Salt Lake (tickets)
• Saturday, Oct. 6 vs. LA Galaxy (tickets)
• Sunday, Oct. 28 vs. Los Angeles Football Club (tickets)

3. WNT Tickets on sale Friday

At 10 a.m. CT Friday, tickets will go on sale to the general public at Ticketmaster.com for the Tournament of Nations doubleheader featuring the U.S. Women's National Team on July 26 at Children's Mercy Park. The reigning World Cup champion U.S. WNT will face arch-rival Japan at 6 p.m. CT in the second game of a double-feature that begins with Australia vs. Brazil at 3:15 p.m. CT.

4. SportingStyle Preorders Now Open

Gameday preorders are now on sale for Sunday’s match. Head to SportingStyle.com to check out the new men’s retro tee, women’s retro tank, KC Scout scarf of the match and more. Pick-up will start Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT on the Toyota Plaza before the game. To shop our full assortment, visit the SportingStyle Pop-In Store located in the Budweiser Brewhouse at Children's Mercy Park. Shop Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5. Sporting Sustainability

Sporting KC announced on Tuesday the launch of Sporting Sustainability, a collaborative platform that unites prominent industry leaders to reduce food waste and achieve sustainability outcomes in the Midwest. The objective is to educate all affiliated with Sporting KC about the importance of taking action to address food waste. Supporters will have the opportunity to join the mission via digital pledges and subsequent self-reporting can give participants a chance to win match tickets, merchandise and experiences. Sporting Sustainability aims to raise awareness in the community about food waste prevention, while utilizing educational tools to encourage sustainable practices amongst consumers.

6. Rangers at Saint Louis FC on Saturday

Swope Park Rangers came away with three points last Saturday after defeating Phoenix Rising FC 1-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. Head Coach Paulo Nagamura and his squad are preparing for Saturday’s road match against rival Saint Louis FC in Fenton, Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will stream live on ESPN+.

7. Academy at Swope

Three Sporting KC Academy teams will close out their regular season campaign on Saturday at Swope Park Village. All three matches are free to the public, beginning with the U-17s at 10 a.m. CT followed by the U-15s and U-19s at 12:30 p.m. The Sporting U-17s and 19s have already clinched berths to the Development Academy Playoffs in Oceanside, California, June 18-24 at the SoCal Sports Complex.

8. Yoga on the Pitch

Set to take place on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT, the Victory Project will host the fourth annual Yoga on the Pitch fundraising event at Children’s Mercy Park. Join us for a 60-minute yoga class led by Lululemon brand ambassadors, Graham Zusi and five other Sporting KC players. Kids yoga will also be provided. All funds raised will help grant Sporting Wishes. It’s not too late to register by clicking here. 

9. MLS To Cincy

FC Cincinnati is now officially the 26th MLS soccer team. General Manager Luke Sassano, a former Sporting KC midfielder, is excited for the team’s debut in 2019 and is on the team building clock. Cincinnati is a city on the rise, and has grown to be a top destination for young professionals, making Cincinnati an ideal location for the growing league. Recently finalizing a partnership with the largest hospital system in Ohio, Mercy Health, FC Cincinnati is set to rep the organization on the front of their jerseys as they head into their first year in the MLS.

10. Vote for MLS All-Stars

With the fresh new MLS App, you can now vote for any of your favorite MLS stars from your smartphone. From now until Friday, June 8, voting is exclusively in the free MLS app. Sporting Kansas City has eight players in the running eligible for voting:

• Goalkeeper: Tim Melia
• Defenders: Matt Besler, Ike Opara and Graham Zusi
• Midfielders: Roger Espinoza and Ilie Sanchez
• Forwards: Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi

Beginning June 8, fans can vote on MLSsoccer.com. The MLS All-Star coach will then select the gameday roster from the pool of eligible players determined by the media, fan voting, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s two selections.

11. The Future of USMNT

Although the United States Men’s National Team defeated Bolivia on Memorial Day by three goals to nil—interim boss Dave Sarachan is pleased—but realizes there is still a lot to work on with the squad going forward. Six players made their national team debuts on Monday, including a former Sporting Academy homegrown defender, Erik Palmer-Brown. Consisting of a pool of younger players the National Team has had in years, there is hope and optimism about the potential of men’s soccer in the U.S.

Games to Watch (June 1-3, 2018)