Sporting Kansas City finished atop Group D of the MLS is Back Tournament following a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday morning and a 2-2 draw between Minnesota United FC and the Colorado Rapids later that night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World.
The first-place finish sends Sporting Kansas City to the Knockout Stage presented by Audi, where Manager Peter Vermes’ side will await the third-place team from Group B or F in a Round of 16 clash scheduled for Sunday at 10 p.m. CT on FS1, the FOX Sports app, FOX Deportes and TUDN.
Sporting’s Round of 16 opponent and the MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage bracket will be determined upon completion of the group stage at approximately 11:30 p.m. CT on Thursday.
Occupying first place in the Western Conference standings, Sporting opened the MLS is Back Tournament with a 2-1 loss to Minnesota on July 12 but responded with a 3-2 win over Colorado on July 17. Wednesday’s defeat of Real Salt Lake, coupled with Minnesota’s tie against the Rapids, vaulted Sporting to first place in Group D.
Sporting’s three group stage matches in the MLS is Back Tournament count toward the 2020 MLS regular season standings. The club owns a 4-1-0 record and sits one point behind Columbus Crew SC in the Supporters’ Shield race.
MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage games won’t count toward the regular season table, but the champion of the competition will qualify for the 2021 Concacaf Champions League and receive a sizable share of a $1.1 million prize pool. Round of 16 fixtures will run from Saturday to Tuesday, followed by the Quarterfinals from July 30 – Aug. 1, the Semifinals on Aug. 5-6 and the Final on Aug. 11.
MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage presented by Audi
Sporting KC Match Dates and Kickoff Times
- Round of 16: Sunday, July 26 at 10 p.m. CT (FS1)
- Potential Quarterfinal: Thursday, July 30 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN)
- Potential Semifinal: Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. CT (FS1)
- Potential Final: Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN)
