"This Week in Sporting" is a biweekly series that highlights the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City. To visit the series archive, click here.
1. Rock the Party
Sporting Kansas City fans are invited to attend the club’s 2020 Season Launch Party presented by Ivy Investments on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at Children’s Mercy Park. Held in partnership with adidas and Michelob Ultra, the Season Launch Party is free and open to the public. The interactive event will run from 5-8:30 p.m. CT, highlighted by autograph opportunities with all Sporting players and the first the chance to buy Sporting’s newly revealed 2020 secondary jersey.
Supporters planning to attend must secure one of two ticket options via SeatGeek.com. Fans can claim a complimentary ticket, granting free admission to the event, or upgrade to a $10 ticket that includes a 10-item premium food tasting from the newly revamped concession locations at Children’s Mercy Park. Guests will gain entry through mobile ticketing only and can obtain their ticket through the SeatGeek app.
2. Saturday Showtime
When Sporting Kansas City takes the field on Saturday under the warm Arizona sunshine, 111 days will have elapsed since the club ended its 2019 season. Needless to say, Manager Peter Vermes and his preseason squad of 35 players will be chomping at the bit for their first friendly of the 2020 preseason, presented by Children's Mercy.
First up is a scrimmage against a team of Phoenix Rising FC trialists at Casino Arizona Field in Tempe, slated to kick off at noon CT. Fans can follow @SportingKC on Twitter for pregame and postgame updates surrounding the club's opening fixture of the decade.
3. Some Kinda Wonderful
Sporting Kansas City announced Thursday that the club has acquired 25-year-old central midfielder Gadi Kinda on a one-year loan from Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem using Targeted Allocation Money.
Kinda has played over 200 matches in Israel since turning professional in 2011 at age 17. He arrives in Kansas City after starring as one of the Israeli Premier League’s best players during the first half of the 2019-20 season. Before his move to Sporting, the playmaker ranked fourth in the league with a team-best seven goals while also leading the side with four assists.
4. Parisi Onboard
Sporting Kansas City announced Wednesday a new, multifaceted partnership with Parisi Coffee, a Kansas City-based artisan coffee roaster that specializes in hand-brewed coffee and fine foods. Beginning this season, Parisi will serve as the official coffee and cold brew of Sporting Kansas City as well as the preferred specialty foods provider for City Foods, the club’s in-house catering service.
A primary component of the partnership will see Sporting and Parisi launch a unique line of coffee blends that pay homage to Parisi’s Italian heritage and commitment to the arts while also aligning with Sporting Kansas City’s rich supporter culture. Sporting and Parisi will also debut a special-edition shandy—a refreshing blend of coffee, lemonade and vanilla.
5. Totally Rad
Sporting Kansas City II has signed Sporting KC Academy product Kaveh Rad to a full professional USL Championship contract, the club announced today. Rad was on the club’s roster in 2018 and 2019 on an Academy contract, but he has now foregone his NCAA eligibility to sign a professional deal with Sporting II.
While Rad did not make an appearance for the team in 2018, the 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2019, starting 20 of 22 appearances in the USL Championship after making his debut on May 11 at Nashville SC.
6. Fresh Look
Sporting Kansas City II unveiled the club’s new primary and secondary jerseys on Tuesday ahead of the 2020 USL Championship season. The new campaign will see Sporting II take the field in the same colors as Sporting Kansas City, reflecting their role within the club's player development pathway.
7. Get Your Tickets
Celebrating its 25th year as a charter member of Major League Soccer, Sporting will kick off the 2020 MLS regular season on Feb. 29 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC before hosting rivals Houston Dynamo in the club’s home opener on March 7.
The best way to guarantee tickets for 2020 home matches is to join the Sporting Kansas City family and become a Season Ticket Member. Several multi-game ticket packages for the 2020 campaign are also on sale, including the limited-time Home Opener Pack that bundles the game on March 7 with two flex matches. Single-game tickets for the first half of Sporting’s home schedule will go on sale to the general public in the near future.
