As Sporting Kansas City prepares for its 26th season as a charter member of Major League Soccer, SportingKC.com is rolling out a 26-day countdown to the start of the 2021 campaign. A mouthwatering opening weekend of MLS action will see Sporting Kansas City visit the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, giving supporters their first look at Manager Peter Vermes’ side since last December.
The 2021 Preseason Countdown, presented by Children’s Mercy, serves as the comprehensive, go-to preview of everything that awaits Sporting Kansas City in the weeks and months to come. From key storylines and bold predictions to statistical breakdowns and players to watch, the 2021 Preseason Countdown highlights the many reasons to be excited for what’s ahead. To visit the series homepage as it expands, head to SportingKC.com/2021countdown.
It's officially matchweek, people.
Major League Soccer's 2021 season will kick off in earnest with a sprinkling of matches on Friday night before kicking into another gear on Saturday, when Sporting visits Red Bull Arena at 7 p.m. CT on Bally Sports Kansas City.
If history is any indication, Sporting fans should enter the weekend feeling optimistic. Not only have Manager Peter Vermes' men regularly contested for trophies over the last decade, but they boast a stellar all-time record in Week 1.
In fact, no team in Major League Soccer has more season-opening victories than Sporting's 14. The club has 14 wins, seven losses and four draws in annual curtain raisers, edging out the 13 wins posted by FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy.
Most wins in MLS season openers
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Record (W-L-T)</strong> |
1 |
Sporting Kansas City |
14-7-4 |
2 |
FC Dallas<br>
LA Galaxy |
13-4-8<br>
13-8-4 |
4 |
Columbus Crew SC<br>
New York Red Bulls |
10-9-6<br>
10-9-6 |
5 |
San Jose Earthquakes<br>
D.C. United |
9-11-3<br>
9-11-5 |
As for Sporting's opponent on Saturday, the Red Bulls have gone a respectable 10-9-6 in Week 1 matches as a fellow charter member of MLS.
This weekend's game between Sporting and New York will mark the first meeting between the clubs in almost exactly two years, as the sides scrapped to a 2-2 draw at Children's Mercy Park on April 14, 2019.
Fans can catch Saturday's showdown on Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO, with three hours of live coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. CT. Listeners can also tune into Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM for radio broadcasts.
Additionally, all supporters are welcome to attend a season-opening outdoor watch party on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park when Sporting hosts the Season Kickoff presented by Michelob Ultra. Fans can secure their free ticket to the Season Kickoff via SeatGeek.com or the SeatGeek app and stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. CT. The watch party will utilize distanced outdoor seating in the stadium bowl with the match shown on the north and south videoboards. Face coverings will be mandatory for all in attendance.
