Starting XI: Fight in Philly

Starting XI, presented by StorageMart, 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 will continue their pursuit of a club-record eighth straight playoff berth on Sunday when they visit the Philadelphia Union (13-12-4, 43 points) in a nationally televised cross-conference clash on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Kickoff is slated for noon CT at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, with local radio broadcasts airing live on Sports Radio 810 WHB and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM. The Final Whistle Postgame Show will air immediately after the match on 810 WHB.

All supporters are invited to attend the official watch party for Sunday's showdown at No Other Pub in the Kansas City Power & Light District (1370 Grand Blvd.). Beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT, No Other Pub will offer $4 Bud Light drafts and an all-you-can-eat buffet with bottomless domestic draft beers.

2. Midweek Madness

Wednesday's three MLS matches packed plenty of entertainment, with two goal fests and a shocking upset making for a wild night of action. In one of the crazier games of the season, Atlanta United FC erased a 3-1 deficit to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 as Josef Martinez reached the 30-goal mark with his 95th-minute winner. The Portland Timbers prevailed 3-2 over Columbus Crew SC to strengthen their playoff hopes, and Seattle's nine-game winning streak was finally snapped when the Philadelphia Union struck through Fabrice Picault in the 93rd minute to claim an unlikely 1-0 road triumph.

3. Playoff Math

Sporting KC can clinch a spot in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs as early as Sunday, when the side travels to Talen Energy Stadium for a noon CT battle against the Philadelphia Union. Click here for SportingKC.com's first edition of 2018 Playoff Math, which outlines the scenario in which Manager Peter Vermes' men could punch their postseason ticket by the end of the weekend.

4. Headliners

#PHIvSKC highlights the Week 30 slate as one of three nationally televised MLS matches. At 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, third-place LAFC will the host bottom-feeding San Jose Earthquakes on Univision and Twitter via @UnivisionSports. At 6 p.m. CT Sunday, the LA Galaxy will look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against Seattle Sounders FC on FS1.

5. Throwback to Glory

Sporting KC were crowned 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions a year ago Thursday, defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in a thrilling final at sold-out Children's Mercy Park. Relive the memorable evening below as Sporting KC lifted the U.S. Open Cup for the third time since 2012 and the fourth time overall, receiving goals in either half from Latif Blessing and Daniel Salloi.

6. Fernandes Flying

Sporting KC forward Gerso Fernandes was one of two MLS players to earn a spot on the first FIFA 19 Team of the Week, released Tuesday via the @EASPORTSFIFA Twitter account. Fernandes, who became the third player in club history to record two goals and two assists in an MLS match during Saturday's 5-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, joined hat-trick hero Bradley Wright-Phillips on the FIFA 19 Ultimate Team of the Week.

7. Three Precious Points

The Swope Park Rangers (14-10-7, 49 points) secured a gargantuan 2-0 win over San Antonio FC (12-11-7, 43 points) on Wednesday at Children's Mercy Park, strengthening their playoff hopes with three games remaining in their regular season campaign. Hadji Barry set an all-time USL record by scoring in his seventh straight appearance before Tyler Blackwood's late strike sealed the all-important victory.

8. Trip to Tulsa

The Rangers will continue their pursuit of a playoff berth Saturday with a visit to the last-place Tulsa Roughnecks (3-15-11, 20 points). Kickoff at ONEOK Field is set for 7:30 p.m. CT with a live stream on ESPN+. SPR currently occupies sixth place in the USL's Western Conference, six points above the playoff line, with the top eight teams set to make the postseason next month.

9. Reds Roughed Up

Mexican powerhouse Tigres UANL defeated Toronto FC 3-1 at BMO Field Wednesday night to claim the inaugural Campeones Cup, taking revenge for TFC's victory when these teams clashed in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Concacaf Champions League earlier this year. Jesus Duenas bagged a brace to put Tigres ahead 2-0 before an Eriq Zavaleta own goal gave the hosts a three-goal deficit. Lucas Janson grabbed one back for Toronto with a late penalty.

10. Listen Whenever

The Sporting KC Show, held every Tuesday throughout the season on Sports Radio 810 WHB, is now available on Spotify and iTunes. With Nate Bukaty and Carter Augustine hosting the weekly program, Sporting KC fans now have a place to go to catch up on club storylines, player remarks, guest interviews and more.

• Get the Sporting KC Show on Spotify
• Get the Sporting KC Show on iTunes

The newest episode of the Sporting KC Show aired Tuesday live from Children's Mercy Park, where Bukaty and Augustine caught up with midfielder Ilie Sanchez as well as Sporting KC President Jake Reid and Roger Hoadley, VP, Director of Communications at Waddell & Reed, Ivy Investments.

11. Class in Session

Three Sporting KC Academy teams will take the field Saturday in a U.S. Soccer Development Academy tripleheader against Real Colorado at Children's Mercy Victory Field inside Swope Soccer Village (6310 Lewis Rd., Kansas City, MO). The Sporting KC U-15s will kick off at 9 a.m. CT, followed by the U-17s at 11:30 a.m. and the U-19s at 2 p.m. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for live updates on Saturday and throughout the Academy season.

Games to Watch (Sept. 22-23, 2018)