LA Galaxy (1-2-0, 3 pts) at Sporting KC (4-0-0, 12 pts)
Saturday, April 7, 2012 – 3:00 p.m. CT
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park | Kansas City, KS
English TV: ESPN
Spanish TV: ESPN Deportes
English Radio: Sports Radio 810 WHB
Spanish Radio: ESPN Deportes
Match Day Central | Tickets | Parking | A-Z Guide
Media Guide | Game Notes | Gameday Program
Sporting Kansas City hosts the LA Galaxy at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in a match that will be nationally broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. A limited number of standing-room only tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased for $25 at the LSP Box Offices or at Ticketmaster.com.
The first 10,000 fans inside the stadium will receive a Sporting Kansas City flag, courtesy of match sponsor H&R Block, and supporters are encouraged to check-in with the Sporting Explore mobile app for an opportunity to win a free tax preparation at H&R Block, as well as tickets to an upcoming home match.
All ticket holders are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday as a capacity crowd is expected for the club’s match-up with the reigning MLS Cup champions. Visit Match Day Central at SportingKC.com for all the pertinent information, including parking directions, events schedule and exclusive partner offers.
Prior to the match, Budweiser will host a one-of-a-kind Poolball Tournament outside the Members’ Club, beginning at noon CT. Members’ Stand ticket holders ages 21 and over can sign-up as teams of two for a chance to participate in the eight-team tournament by emailing partnerships@sportingkc.com.
Saturday’s marquee match will see Sporting Kansas City (4-0-0) put their perfect record on the line against a Galaxy (1-2-0) squad that is playing their first road MLS match of the season. LA comes to Kansas City in unfamiliar territory beneath the Western Conference table, after dropping 3-1 results to Real Salt Lake in their season opener and to the New England Revolution last weekend.
The Galaxy are coping with the loss of 2011 MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez (torn ACL), while U.S. Men’s National Team star Landon Donovan also missed the club’s last match due to injury (quad tightness). Ireland international Robbie Keane leads the Galaxy with three goals in three games, while offseason acquisition Edson Buddle has added to the team’s attacking options up top.
Sporting Kansas City are off to the club’s best start in team history, winning each of their first four matches behind a defense led by goalkeeper and team captain Jimmy Nielsen, who has allowed only one goal this season. Reigning MLS Rookie of the Year C.J. Sapong leads the team with three goals, including the match-winner in Sporting Kansas City’s 1-0 road win to open the season at D.C. United and last week in a 1-0 victory at Chivas USA.
Midfielder Graham Zusi has elevated his stellar play from one year ago, when he set personal career highs with five goals and seven assists, as the playmaker has been on the scoresheet for six of the team’s seven goals in 2012. His five assists leads all players in MLS this season and he looks to continue his torrid form as Sporting KC attempts to become the first team since Major League Soccer’s inaugural season to win their opening five games of the season in regulation.
ESPN’s Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman will call the match from LIVESTRONG Sporting Park and the match broadcast will also be available across the network, including ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN and ESPN Deportes Radio. The network will feature a special feature on Sporting KC striker and Sierra Leone international Kei Kamara during their halftime coverage of the match and the segment will also be shown on select SportsCenter shows leading up to Saturday’s kick off.
The official radio partner of Sporting Kansas City, Sports Radio 810 WHB will air the match locally as Jake Yadrich and Callum Williams provide the commentary for the station’s first of six broadcasts at LSP in 2012. Immediately following the match, The Final Whistle postgame show will debut on Sports Radio 810 WHB with Josh Whisenhunt and Andy Edwards taking calls from fans at 913-3-810-810.
Fans can also follow the match online via the MLS MatchDay App, @SKCGameday on Twitter and on the MLSSoccer.com MatchCenter.
Following the match, the Members’ Club at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will be open to all fans in attendance for Boulevard’s official launch party of the Boss Tom’s Golden Bock, a seasonal brew that will be available to purchase in the Members’ Club for Saturday’s match.
