Starting XI: Shake and Quake

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.

Sporting KC (1-1-0, 3 points) returns home Saturday to host the San Jose Earthquakes (1-0-0, 3 points) in a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at Children's Mercy Park. FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest Plus will air three hours of live coverage beginning at 7 p.m. CT, while ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM (Spanish) will carry the game on the radio. Additionally, The Final Whistle postgame show will air immediately after the match on 94.5 FM.

Tickets for the St. Patrick's Day matchup are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, and the first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a free slap koozie courtesy of match sponsor H&R Block. Supporters of age can also buy the 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.

2. Bound for Budapest

Sporting KC forward Daniel Salloi will join the Hungary U-21 Men’s National Team next week for two matches in 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying. Hungary will host Cyprus on Thursday, March 22 at Hidegkuti Nandor Stadion in Budapest before traveling to face group leaders Belgium on Monday, March 26 at Den Dreef Stadium in Leuven. Prior to joining the national team, Salloi will be available for selection Saturday when Sporting Kansas City hosts the San Jose Earthquakes at Children's Mercy Park.

3. Defending the Cup

The competition format and final schedule was finalized Wednesday for the 105th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer's National Championship. Reigning champions and four-time tournament winner Sporting KC will enter the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the Fourth Round, which will take place Wednesday, June 6. The 2018 tournament field will include 94 teams from all levels of American soccer, featuring a single-tiered bracket and eight rounds of single-elimination play until a champion is crowned in September 2018.

4. Bracket Madness

March Madness has arrived, and with that comes bracket selections from defender and Duke supporter Ike Opara, North Carolina alum Colton Storm and Kansas Jayhawk fan Eric Dick. Enjoy below.

5. Radio Rewind

Two Sporting KC players joined Sports Radio 810 WHB on Tuesday. Captain Matt Besler appeared on the Border Patrol to relive his team’s epic 4-3 win over Chicago last weekend, while winger Johnny Russell was a guest on the Sporting KC Show and participated in a wide-ranging discussion about his career in Europe and his decision to move to Kansas City.

6. Rangers in Reno

The two-time defending USL Western Conference champion Rangers will kick off their third season in the United Soccer League on Saturday, traveling to face Reno 1868 FC on Saturday at Greater Nevada Field. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. CT, streaming live on SportingKC.com. Rangers tickets for the 2018 USL campaign are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, beginning with the club's home opener against Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday, March 24, at Shawnee Mission South District Stadium in Overland Park, Kansas.

7. Fueling the Rivalry

MLS and Liga MX announced Tuesday that they have joined forces on a long-term initiative to further strengthen the sport in the region. Off the field, the two leagues will focus on sharing best practices while prioritizing social responsibility efforts. On the field, the annual Campeones Cup will pit the reigning champions of Liga MX and MLS to crown the best club in North America. The 2018 Campeones Cup will be hosted by reigning MLS Cup champion Toronto FC on Sept. 19 at BMO Field in Toronto.

8. Two to the Semis

Major League Soccer has sent two teams through to the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League, as the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC have advanced to face Mexican giants Chivas de Guadalajara and Club America, respectively, in next month’s semifinals.

New York will venture to Chivas for the first leg prior to hosting the decisive second leg at Red Bull Arena. Toronto FC will welcome Club America for the first leg and hit the road for the second leg. Matches will take place April 3, 4, and 10.

9. Week Three

While Saturday’s game at Children’s Mercy Park will have the attention of Sporting KC fans, Week 3 in MLS is serving up a handful of other compelling matchups. The action begins early when the Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew SC put their perfect records on the line at 1 p.m. CT, followed by a Univision showdown between high-flying New York City FC and Orlando City SC at 2:30 p.m. CT. Saturday’s nightcap will see Real Salt Lake host the New York Red Bulls, and the lone Sunday fixture pits FC Dallas against Seattle Sounders FC.

10. Onto the Quarters

Manchester United and Chelsea bowed out, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich breezed through. This week drew a close to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, finalizing the field of eight for next month’s quarterfinals. The draw for the next round will take place Friday at 6 a.m. CT on FS2, consisting of Bayern Munich, English sides Manchester City and Liverpool, Spanish trio Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla, and Italian pair Juventus and Roma.

11. Hollywood Ending

Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is the preferred pregame and postgame destination for Sporting KC in 2018, welcoming fans to park, eat and play before and after every match at Children’s Mercy Park. Located at 777 Hollywood Casino Boulevard, Hollywood Casino invites supporters to park and ride for free. Fans 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.

Games to Watch (March 17-18, 2018)