SPORTING KC FACES CRUZ AZUL TONIGHT IN THE DECISIVE 2ND LEG OF THE CCL QUARTERFINALS
Sporting KC faces Cruz Azul tonight in the decisive second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Sporting KC takes a 1-0 lead to Mexico City after homegrown defender Kevin Ellis notched the game-winner in the first leg at Sporting Park last Wednesday. Tonight's match will kick off at 9 p.m. CT and will be nationally broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 (English) and Galavision (Spanish). Johnny's Tavern in the KC Power and Light District will be hosting the team's official watch party featuring Boulevard draft specials and the "Blue Believer" signature cocktail.
Sporting KC will advance to the semifinals with a win or draw in Mexico City. If Sporting Kansas City lose on Wednesday, the club can advance if they score a road goal and limit the loss to a one-goal margin. A 1-0 defeat would force overtime and potential penalty kicks if still deadlocked, while a defeat by two or more goals would see Sporting KC eliminated from the tournament.
Immediately following the match, The Final Whistle: Sporting KC Postgame Show will air on Sports Radio 810 WHB. Fans can join the discussion by calling 913-3-810-810 and listen via 810 AM, 810whb.com or via the station's free mobile app.
KEGS AND EGGS WITH 96.5
Sporting Kansas City radio partner 96.5 the Buzz will host a "Kegs & Eggs" event at the Tank Room (1813 Grand) in Kansas City, MO featuring Austin-based band Ume. The MLS Cup trophy will be on display and the Roasterie will be serving Sporting Blend coffee. Doors open at 6 a.m. CT and the show is free to attend.
SUMMER IN THE SOCCER CAPITAL ANNOUNCED, FEATURING MATCH AGAINST MANCHESTER CITY
Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday the team's Summer in the Soccer Capital series of events, presented by Sprint, featuring an international friendly against English Premier League club Manchester City on July 23 at Sporting Park and official World Cup watch parties at KC Live! in the Power & Light District.
Ticket information for the international friendly will be released at a later date.
SPORTING KC AND FC DALLAS PLAYED TO A 1-1 DRAW AT SPORTING PARK LAST WEEKEND
Aurelien Collin opened the scoring for Sporting Kansas City in the 81st minute last weekend against FC Dallas at Sporting Park. The lead was short lived as FC Dallas centerback Matt Hedges headed a Michel free kick past Eric Kronberg in the 90th minute to level the score at 1-1.
Sporting KC returns to MLS competition on Saturday as they host the San Jose Earthquakes. The match will be aired on 38 The Spot and SKCTV beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT. Fans can listen to the match on 102.9 FM. A limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday's match via Ticketmaster.com and the first 10,000 fans will receive Sporting KC flags, courtesy of match sponsor H&R Block.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY AND ARTSKC PARTNER FOR DESIGN CHALLENGE AND GALLERY EXHIBITION
Sporting KC and the ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council announced on Tuesday a joint collaboration to co-host a design challenge for local artists to create artwork which showcases the beautiful game and celebrates soccer in Kansas City. Up to 20 selected artists will have their pieces on display during a First Friday gallery exhibition at the Three Points Club on May 2 and also at Sporting Park during "Art in the Park" in conjunction with Sporting Kansas City's home match on May 14 (tickets available on Ticketmaster.com).
The gallery exhibition will feature a live DJ and appearances by Sporting Kansas City players with drinks and appetizers available for ticket holders. All pieces will be available to purchase by the general public and a portion of all ticket and art sale proceeds will benefit the Victory Project and the ArtsKC fund.
SPORTING KC LOANS THREE PLAYERS TO USL PRO AFFILIATES
Sporting Kansas City announced on Monday that the club has agreed to loan three players to the team's official USL PRO affiliates. Midfielder Mikey Lopez will join reigning USL PRO champions Orlando City SC. Goalkeeper Jon Kempin and midfielder Christian Duke will be added to OKC Energy FC's roster for their inaugural season.
Orlando City SC and OKC Energy FC are among the 14 USL PRO teams competing in the 28-game regular season beginning March 22 and continuing through September 7. All USL PRO games will be streamed live online via team YouTube channels in 2014. Sporting Kansas City will have the option to recall any of the team's three players during the loan period.
AURELIEN COLLIN NAMED TO MLS TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sporting KC defender Auerlien Collin was named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week following his performance against FC Dallas on Saturday.
The All-Star defender put Sporting KC ahead in the 81st minute when he rose between a pair of defenders and headed a Benny Feilhaber corner kick past goalkeeper Chris Seitz. The goal was Collin's first of the season and the 10th regular season goal in his career. Collin is now tied with Jose Burciaga Jr. for the second most goals scored in MLS competition by a defender in team history with 14 behind only Jimmy Conrad (17).
SPORTING KC ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW COACHES
The Sporting Kansas City Academy coaching staff has welcomed two new members in 2014 with the addition of goalkeeper coach Alan Mayer along with U16/U18 coach Istvan Urbanyi. Both Mayer and Urbanyi have extensive soccer knowledge from their careers as players and coaches. Read more on the new Academy coaches here.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC ONLINE
Sporting Kansas City fans looking to keep up with the club on the worldwide web now have a place to go. The social media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players as well as many staff members. Additionally, fans may take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage available online.
