Five Things is a weekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights the top storylines, players to watch and matchday programming ahead of each game throughout the season.
A St. Patrick's Day showdown awaits for a pair of MLS originals when Sporting Kansas City welcomes the San Jose Earthquakes to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT with tickets available at SeatGeek.com or by clicking here to purchase the all-inclusive St. Patrick's Day Pack for just $42. The match will air live on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish).
Without further ado, we visit five things to know ahead of Saturday's Western Conference clash.
San Jose’s Rising Star
Chris Wondolowski has long been the face of the San Jose Earthquakes. The veteran has amassed 134 career goals in the regular season, second in MLS history behind a guy named Landon Donovan. As the Quakes enter 2018, however, a changing of the frontline guard may be in store.
After a period of adjustment in his debut MLS campaign last year, 27-year-old forward Danny Hoesen could be poised for a breakout. The Dutchman bagged a brace in San Jose’s 3-2 win over Minnesota United FC on March 3 to claim Alcatel MLS Player of the Week honors, and his early-season form has Wondolowski believing that Hoesen could be a Golden Boot candidate.
Sporting KC is no stranger to Hoesen, who scored in last summer’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal thriller at Children’s Mercy Park. His superb strike was canceled out by Diego Rubio’s equalizer, ultimately setting the stage for an epic penalty shootout that ended in the hosts’ favor.
Catch Fire
That’s precisely what Sporting KC did in last weekend’s 4-3 barnburner at Chicago. Felipe Gutierrez scored twice, Daniel Salloi assisted twice and Johnny Russell notched one of each as Manager Peter Vermes’ men bagged four goals in a regular season match for the first time since August 2015.
With this trio riding a wave of momentum and center forward Khiry Shelton nearing full fitness after a leg bruise ruled him out in Week 1, the team just may have found its scoring boots. The Children’s Mercy Park faithful will hope the goals continue to flow on Saturday, as Sporting KC hasn’t scored at home since Sept. 24, 2017 — a dry spell that spans 325 minutes and more than seven halves of action.
Tighten Up
As dangerous as Sporting KC looked going forward in Week 2, the club also leaked three goals in the space of 12 second-half minutes. A 2-0 lead quickly turned into a 3-2 deficit, forcing the likes of Gutierrez, Russell, Salloi and Jimmy Medranda into late-game heroics. Saturday’s win over the Fire marked the first time in 37 regular season matches that Sporting KC allowed more than two goals, drawing an end to the longest such run in team history.
With San Jose visiting this weekend, Vermes’ side is plotting a return to its stingy ways. All the pieces from a historically stout backline in 2017 have returned — namely Matt Besler, Ike Opara, Seth Sinovic, Graham Zusi and goalkeeper Tim Melia. Thus, the question is probably not if Sporting KC’s defense will tighten up, but when.
Celebrating St. Paddy’s
Saturday happens to be St. Patrick’s Day, and Sporting KC is celebrating accordingly. At the forefront, supporters of age can also buy the can’t-miss St. Patrick's Day Pack for $42, consisting of a South Stand general admission ticket, three green beers and a pre-match Irish tailgate with hot dogs, brats, Guinness chili, Irish nachos and Coke products. Click here to secure your St. Patrick’s Day Pack while supplies last.
Elsewhere, A limited-edition St. Patrick's Day scarf will be available at Sporting Style locations throughout the stadium and fans will receive free jersey customization with the purchase of any kit. U2 cover band Rattle and Hum will rock out on the Toyota Plaza before kickoff, and Irish dancers will perform on the field at halftime.
Hollywood Script
Saturday figures to be a busy sports day with NCAA Tournament basketball games tipping off early, late and everywhere in between. This makes the perfect occasion to visit Hollywood Casino before and after the Sporting KC match.
Located less than a mile from Children’s Mercy Park, Hollywood Casino will offer food and drink specials two hours before and two hours after every Sporting KC home game at Turn 2 Sports Bar & Restaurant inside the casino. The casino also invites Sporting KC fans to park and ride for free on matchdays. Ticket holders can park in the casino parking garage and enjoy VIP transportation to and from the stadium. Drop-off and pick-up is at the Budweiser Brew House on the corner of Village West Parkway and France Family Drive.
