MLS Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City Hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Published on June 24, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Following a tense 0-0 draw away to the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, Sporting Kansas City faces a quick turnaround as Vancouver Whitecaps FC come to town on Saturday for a cross-conference matchup at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, with live TV coverage on KSMO-TV beginning at 7:00 p.m.

While Sporting Kansas City enter Saturday's match unbeaten in their last six matches, Vancouver will take the pitch at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Saturday as one of only three teams yet to record a road win so far in the 2011 season. Depending on how other results go around the League, Sporting could move as high as fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a win on Saturday.

This is the second meeting between the two sides in 2011. The first, an improbable 3-3 draw at Empire Field, saw Sporting Kansas City jump out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals from Teal Bunbury and Kei Kamara, only to relinquish that advantage as Vancouver were able to score three goals in just over 20 minutes to end the match, including two goals in second-half stoppage time.

The Whitecaps (2-6-8), currently sitting in ninth place in the Western Conference, enter Saturday night's contest coming off of a 1-0 win at home to the Philadelphia Union over the weekend at Empire Field. The victory snapped a 14-game winless streak for Vancouver and and was the first at the club for newly-appointed manager Tom Soehn. Soehn took over as manager of Vancouver following the dismissal of Teitur Thordarson on May 30.

Both managers will have nearly a full list of players to choose from for Saturday. Sporting Kansas City will welcome back defender Aurelien Collin from a yellow card suspension served during the match in Philadelphia. With Collin returning to the fray, the only other major absence is midfielder Craig Rocastle, who recently underwent surgery to repair ligaments in his right knee. Midfielder Graham Zusi is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest after picking up an ankle sprain in Sporting KC's 1-0 win over San Jose last Friday. Vancouver will only be missing forward Atiba Harris, who underwent knee surgery recently, and midfielder John Thorrington due to a calf strain.

KSMO-TV will again air a 30-minute pre-game show hosted by play-by-play announcer Callum Williams, in addition to their weekly soccer show, 'Off the Pitch' with Sporting Kansas City, on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Fans are encouraged to arrive to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park as early as possible on Saturday. Prior to the match, 'Sons of Great Dane' will perform in the Sprint Plaza as part of the Live at LSP concert series. Following the match, there will be a party in the Members Club featuring a performance from DJ Mike Scott. Visit SportingKC.com for more information on Saturday's match. Please note: When discussing our team, please refer to us as Sporting Kansas City or Sporting KC. Single-game tickets are currently on sale for the 2011 MLS season at state-of-the-art LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Visit SportingKC.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL to reserve seats.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 24, 2011


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