Sporting Kansas City hosts the LA Galaxy at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday at LIVESTRONG
Sporting Park in a match that will be nationally broadcast live on ESPN
and ESPN Deportes.
Saturday's marquee match will
see Sporting Kansas City (4-0-0) put their perfect record on the line
against a Galaxy (1-2-0) squad that is playing their first road MLS
match of the season.
LA comes to Kansas City in unfamiliar territory
beneath the Western Conference table, after dropping 3-1 results to Real
Salt Lake in their season opener and to the New England Revolution last
weekend.
The Galaxy are coping with
the loss of 2011 MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez (torn ACL),
while U.S. Men's National Team star Landon Donovan also missed the
club's last match due to injury (quad tightness).
Ireland international
Robbie Keane leads the Galaxy with three goals in three games, while
offseason acquisition Edson Buddle has added to the team's attacking
options up top.
Sporting Kansas City are off
to the club's best start in team history, winning each of their first
four matches behind a defense led by goalkeeper and team captain Jimmy
Nielsen, who has allowed only one goal this season.
Reigning MLS Rookie
of the Year C.J. Sapong leads the team with three goals, including the
match-winner in Sporting Kansas City's 1-0 road win to open the season
at D.C. United and last week in a 1-0 victory at Chivas USA.
Midfielder Graham Zusi has
elevated his stellar play from one year ago, when he set personal career
highs with five goals and seven assists, as the playmaker has been on
the scoresheet for six of the team's seven goals in 2012.
His five
assists leads all players in MLS this season and he looks to continue
his torrid form as Sporting KC attempts to become the first team since
Major League Soccer's inaugural season to win their opening five games
of the season in regulation.
ESPN's Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman will call the match from LIVESTRONG
Sporting Park and the match broadcast will also be available across the
network, including ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN and ESPN
Deportes Radio.
The network will feature a special feature on Sporting
KC striker and Sierra Leone international Kei Kamara during their
halftime coverage of the match and the segment will also be shown on
select SportsCenter shows leading up to Saturday's kick off.
The official radio partner of
Sporting Kansas City, Sports Radio 810 WHB will air the match locally
as Jake Yadrich and Callum Williams provide the commentary for the
station's first of six broadcasts at LSP in 2012.
Immediately following
the match, The Final Whistle postgame show will debut on Sports Radio
810 WHB with Josh Whisenhunt and Andy Edwards taking calls from fans at 913-3-810-810.
Fans can also follow the match online via the MLS MatchDay App, @SKCGameday on Twitter and on the MLSSoccer.com MatchCenter.
The first 10,000 fans inside
the stadium will receive a Sporting Kansas City flag, courtesy of match
sponsor H&R Block, and supporters are encouraged to check-in with
the Sporting Explore mobile app for an opportunity to win a free tax preparation at H&R Block, as well as tickets to an upcoming home match.
All ticket holders are
encouraged to arrive early on Saturday as a capacity crowd is expected
for the club's match-up with the reigning MLS Cup champions. Visit Match Day Central at SportingKC.com for all the pertinent information, including parking directions, events schedule and exclusive partner offers.
Prior to the match, Budweiser
will host a one-of-a-kind Poolball Tournament outside the Members'
Club, beginning at noon CT. Members' Stand ticket holders ages 21 and
over can sign-up as teams of two for a chance to participate in the
eight-team tournament by emailing partnerships@sportingkc.com.
Following the match, the Members' Club at LIVESTRONG Sporting
Park will be open to all fans in attendance for Boulevard's official
launch party of the Boss Tom's Golden Bock, a seasonal brew that will be
available to purchase in the Members' Club for Saturday's match.
