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.
1. The Boys are Back in Town
Rejoice, SKC Nation, because the wait is finally over. Sporting Kansas City is back at Childrenās Mercy Park on Saturday for the clubās 2017 home opener against FC Dallas. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, and a limited number of tickets are available at SeatGeek.com.
FC Dallas enters Saturday as the defending U.S. Open Cup and Supportersā Shield champions, but recent history favors Sporting KC heading into the high-profile matchup. Goal.comās Jon Arnold previews the encounter, while the Matchday Central page on SportingKC.com gives fans all the links and information they need ahead of kickoff, including the new Season Ticket Member Checklist.
2. Price Drop
In case you missed it, Sporting KC has lowered prices for food and beverages at Childrenās Mercy Park. Yes, you read correctly. And no, we arenāt playing around.
Sporting KC and Legends Hospitality have lowered prices on water, soda and beer by an average of 20 percent from 2016. Other menu items like hot dogs, bratwursts and grilled cheeses will also be sold at lower prices. Click here for full details ā and come to the stadium hungry and thirsty on Saturday.
3. Talk of the Town
Sporting Kansas City Media Day was buzzing on Tuesday at Childrenās Mercy Park. Interviews with Manager Peter Vermes and players allowed various media outlets to run riot with a plethora of preseason content. MLSsoccer.com profiled U.S. U-20 hero Erik Palmer-Brown, Talkinā Touches released multiple podcasts, The Blue Testament discussed stadium expansion and price decreases, and the Kansas City Star offered an excellent look at the construction of the National Training and Coaching Development Center.
4. Melia Magic
If you watched last Saturdayās season opener, you remember the moment clearly. Tim Melia dove right to stop Marcelo Sarvasā penalty kick, then sprung up to smother Patrick Mullinsā rebound attempt to keep D.C. United off the scoreboard in a 0-0 draw. Itās no surprise to us that Melia is up for MLS Save of the Week in Week 1. Fans can cast their vote here until Friday morning.
5. Benny's a Lifesaver
Your life is on the line and you need one player to make a penalty kick. Who do you pick? It turns out that many MLS players would put their lives in the hands of Benny Feilhaber, who has yet to miss a penalty in a Sporting KC uniform. This was one of many fascinating insights revealed in ESPNFCās anonymous survey with MLS players. Among the other hot survey topics: promotion and relegation, Beckhamās Miami team, salaries, and overrated and underrated players. No holds barred here.
6. Everyone's Invited
Your Friday just got even better. Tomorrow Sporting KC will host the āWe. Together.ā Block Party at Town Center Plaza & Crossing in Leawood, giving fans the opportunity to win tickets, interact with Sporting KC players and enjoy a variety of interactive activities. The block party will take place from 2:30-6:30 p.m. CT, coming a day before Sporting KCās home opener against FC Dallas.
7. Ain't No Party Like an SPR Party
Mark your calendars, Swope Park Rangers fans. The reigning USL Western Conference champions invite supporters to No Other Pub next Wednesday for a Meet the Team party from 6-7:30 p.m. Fans will be able to play bar games with players and coaches, purchase new SPR merchandise and enjoy a variety of Happy Hour specials at No Other Pub, including $1 tacos and $2 off appetizers. Click here to RSVP.
8. There's an App for That
There are more than a few reasons to download the free Sporting KC Uphoria mobile app before Saturdayās home opener. For starters, all Uphoria users will receive an offer card (think Groupon) for free Oreos at Price Chopper. Then thereās MySKC Cam, a camera within the app that gives fans the opportunity to appear on the Childrenās Mercy Park videoboard. Uphoria will also allow ticketholders to gain mobile entry into the stadium as long as their ticket account is linked to SeatGeek. Download Uphoria today on the App Store and Google Play.
9. The Kids are Coming Home
Coming off an impressive weekend in Texas, the Sporting KC Academy returns to Swope Soccer Village this Saturday for a doubleheader against Texans SC Houston in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The U-18s will kick off at 10 a.m. CT before the U-16s take the field at 12:30 p.m. CT, and both games are free and open to the public. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates throughout the season.
10. Zlatanās Galaxy?
Is one of the worldās most iconic players on his way to MLS? According to a report from SI.comās Grant Wahl, the LA Galaxy have made a lucrative offer to Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose contract expires in June at the end of the English Premier League season. The Swedish striker has enjoyed a fantastic year with the Red Devils but has yet to declare where he will be playing beyond this summer. As Wahl writes, āsources say that LA thinks it has a realistic shot of landing him.ā
11. A Comeback for the Ages
Did that really just happen? Indeed it did ā FC Barcelona shocked the soccer world on Wednesday, overturning a 4-0 aggregate deficit by defeating Paris-St. Germain 6-1 in the return leg to pull off the biggest comeback in UEFA Champions League history. The Spanish giants scored three goals in the final seven minutes of action ā including the series-winner in the 95th minute ā to stun PSG, blow up Twitter and turn Barcelonaās Camp Nou into a 100,000-person madhouse. As ESPNFCās Gabriele Marcotti writes, the stunning comeback was a fine reminder of the sportās ability to enthrall the masses.
Games to Watch (March 10-13)
<strong>DATE/TIME (CT)</strong> |
<strong>GAME</strong> |
<strong>COMPETITION</strong> |
<strong>TV CHANNEL</strong> |
Fri., Mar. 10, 1:45pm |
Juventus vs. AC Milan |
Italian Serie A |
beIN SPORTS |
Sat., Mar. 11, 6:15am |
Middlesbrough vs. Manchester City |
English FA Cup |
FS1 |
Sat., Mar. 11, 8:30am |
Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund |
German Bundesliga |
FS2 |
Sat., Mar. 11, 11:30am |
Arsenal vs. Lincoln City |
English FA Cup |
FS2 |
Sat., Mar. 11, 3pm |
New York Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids |
MLS |
UDN, UniMas |
<strong>Sat., Mar. 11, 8pm</strong> |
<strong>Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas</strong> |
<strong>MLS</strong> |
<strong>FOX Sports KC, <a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FOX Sports GO</a></strong> |
Sun., Mar. 12, 9am |
Tottenham vs. Millwall |
English FA Cup |
FS1 |
Sun., Mar. 12, 4pm |
Minnesota United FC vs. Atlanta United FC |
MLS |
ESPN2 |
Sun., Mar. 12, 6pm |
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers |
MLS |
FS1 |
Mon., Mar. 13, 2:45pm |
Chelsea vs. Manchester United |
English FA Cup |
FS1 |