WATCH THE U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM TRAIN THIS SUNDAY AT LSP
As part of the continuing effort to connect with fans, the U.S. Men's National Team will host a public training session on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. CT at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Admission and parking for the event are free. Fans who pre-register on ussoccer.com will be entered to have a chance to meet U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann at the stadium prior to the training session.
At the session, fans will get a first-hand look at how the National Team prepares for an important match and hear exclusive interviews with Klinsmann and select players. With tickets sold out for the decisive USA-Guatemala match two days later, the event gives more supporters a chance to see the team in action.
SPORTING KC AND LEGENDS OUTLETS TO HOST SOCCERFEST
Sporting Kansas City and the Legends Outlets will co-host a special fan-friendly SoccerFest from 12-2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Legends Outlets in Village West (1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, Kan.).
Immediately following the United States Men's National Team's public training at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, fans can cross the street for a Soccerfest that will feature autograph and photo opportunities with Sporting KC players Jimmy Nielsen, Cyprian Hedrick, Soony Saad, Korede Aiyegbusi, Neven Markovic, Michael Harrington, Aurelien Collin, Dom Dwyer, Jon Kempin, Kevin Ellis, Lawrence Olum, Bobby Convey and Kyle Miller, as well as children's soccer activities including inflatables and an appearance by the Sporting KC mascot.
The event is free and open to the public and will be located at the center courtyard, as well as various locations throughout the center. For more information, visit LegendsShopping.com/OctoberFest.
LIVESTRONG SPORTING PARK TO HOST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER TUESDAY
A sellout crowd will witness the decisive U.S. Men's National Team's 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala on Oct. 16 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
The match will mark the first time the stadium has hosted a World Cup Qualifier.
The USA faces Guatemala on the final match day of the Semifinal Round in 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
U.S. Soccer credentials are required for this match, and Sporting KC or MLS All-Stadium media credentials will not be valid. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, Watch ESPN and the Univision family. Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker and on Twitter at @ussoccer.
VOTE FOR JIMMY NIELSEN FOR MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK
Vote for Jimmy Nielsen's stellar double save against the Columbus Crew on Sunday here. Voting runs from Tuesday morning until 11:59 pm CT on Thursday.
GRAHAM ZUSI NAMED TO U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi was named to the United States Men's National Team roster for their final two FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the Semifinal Round.
Zusi, 26, is one of 24 players selected by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and traveled to Miami today for the team's training camp.
The United States, No. 32 in the latest FIFA world rankings, will face Antigua and Barbuda on Friday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound (7 p.m. CT; beIN SPORT) before coming to Kansas City for the decisive match against Guatemala on Oct. 16 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park (6 p.m. CT; ESPN2, ESPN3 and Univision family).
ROGER ESPINOZA OUT FOR 2-4 WEEKS WITH ANKLE SPRAIN
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza suffered a right anterior medial ankle sprain on Sunday and is expected to miss two to four weeks.
Espinoza, 25, sustained the injury in second-half stoppage time of Sporting Kansas City's 1-1 draw at the Columbus Crew yesterday. Following an MRI and X-rays taken in Columbus earlier today, Espinoza will return to Kansas City for additional evaluation and treatment.
Due to the injury, Espinoza will not join Honduras for the team's upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Panama on Oct. 12 and Canada on Oct. 16.
SPORTING KC IN THE COMMUNITY
- Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT: Jimmy Nielsen will be signing autographs are Nebraska Furniture Mart
- Oct. 15 from 5:45 -7:15 p.m. CT: Jimmy Nielsen will be at the Blue Springs South High School Game for a Cause (1200 SE Adams Dairy Parkway, Blue Springs, MO 64014). Anyone in attendance at the boy's soccer game is welcome to stop by to meet Jimmy and get an autograph. Proceeds from the game will benefit autism research.
Sporting Kansas City drew 1-1 with the Columbus Crew on Sunday afternoon at Columbus Crew Stadium. C.J. Sapong put Sporting KC ahead in the 10th minute with a header for his eighth goal of the year and Graham Zusi's League-leading 15th assist, but the Crew's Eddie Gaven scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to split the points.
The draw extends Sporting Kansas City's unbeaten streak to 10 games, the longest streak in MLS this season, and puts Sporting KC three points clear of the Chicago Fire in the quest to finish in first place in the Eastern Conference for the second straight season.
PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE FOR SPORTING KC SEASON TICKET MEMBERS
Season Ticket Members will have access to an exclusive pre-sale from Thursday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. CT to Friday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. CT to purchase additional playoff packages for any available seating category at the Season Ticket Member discounted price, subject to availability. This option is only available to Season Ticket Members through their Sporting Kansas City Account Manager.
Season Ticket Members will have access to a single-game playoff pre-sale on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. CT until Friday, Oct. 19th at 10 a.m. CT. Single-game tickets can be purchased then at the Season Ticket Member discounted price, subject to availability.
Playoff tickets for the general public will go on sale on Friday, Oct. 19th.
STATE LINE SOCCER SHOW ON THURSDAY ON 610 SPORTS RADIO
Callum Williams and Steve Brisendine will co-host the State Line Soccer Show from 6-7 p.m. CT on Thursday on 610 Sports Radio. This week's show will feature Sporting Kansas City forward Teal Bunbury. Listeners can tune in online at 610sports.com and call into the show by dialing 913-576-7610 to share their thoughts.
SPORTING KC NOW TAKING DEPOSITS FOR 2013 RESERVED SEATING
Sporting Kansas City supporters can now place 2013 Season Ticket Deposits for all Reserved Seating at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or visiting www.SportingKC.com.
FOLLOW SPORTING KC ONLINE
Sporting Kansas City fans looking to keep up with the club on the worldwide web now have a place to go. The social media page on SportingKC.com features Twitter account information for the club, its players as well as many staff members. Additionally, fans may take advantage of the Media Recap page for all the latest independent news coverage available online.
