Sporting Kansas City acquires MF Paulo Nagamura 28-year-old to add experience, versatility to midfield Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that midfielder Paulo Nagamura has been acquired from Chivas USA in exchange for a first round selection in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft. http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/11/sporting-kansas-city-acquires-mf-paulo-nagamura Sinovic returns to Sporting KC Arnaud traded in exchange for Sinovic and allocation money Sporting Kansas City announced Monday that midfielder Davy Arnaud has been traded to the Montreal Impact in exchange for defender Seth Sinovic and allocation money. “After many discussions and considerations, both parties have come to an agreement,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “On behalf of Sporting, we would like to thank Davy for his service with the club and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.” http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/11/sinovic-returns-sporting-kc
Sporting trades for Convey MLS All-Star to join SKC in return for international roster slot Sporting Kansas City announced Friday that midfielder Bobby Convey has been acquired from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for an international roster slot for 2012. Convey, a United States international and a veteran of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, joins Sporting Kansas City after three seasons in San Jose where he was named as an MLS All-Star in both 2010 and 2011. To date, Convey has scored 11 goals and added 30 assists in 164 appearances in Major League Soccer. “Bobby Convey has been a difference-maker in this League for many years, with experience at the highest levels of soccer,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. “His competiveness and attacking qualities stand out and we feel that he can thrive within the culture created at Sporting Kansas City. We are very excited to welcome Bobby to our club.” http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/12/sporting-kc-acquires-mf-bobby-convey-sj-earthquakes
It's getting Real Collin's header buries RSL as SKC remains unbeaten Sporting Kansas City stretched their winning streak to six matches to open the 2012 season with a 1-0 victory over Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake on Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Aurelien Collin scored the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute, heading home a corner kickfrom Graham Zusi, and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen recorded his MLS-best fifth shutout of the year. The sell-out crowd at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park would have to wait until the 31st minute to see the first chance of the match, when Bobby Convey had his shot saved by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Zusi's corner was hit long to the back post and gathered by C.J. Sapong, who laid the ball back for Convey but thewinger’s shot was straight at Rimando. http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012/04/its-getting-real
SKC's Kamara on Impact loss: "They played our game" KANSAS CITY, Kan. – No music blared in the home locker room. The flat-screens were silent and dark. One after another, Sporting Kansas City’s players shook their heads and reflected upon an upset loss to an expansion side most expected them to crush. “I think we got outfought tonight, and I can honestly say that it’s the first time that this team, our team, that it’s happened to us this year,” midfielder Graham Zusi said after the Montreal Impact stunned Sporting 2-0 on Saturday night. “I can pretty much promise you that it won’t happen again.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/06/skcs-kamara-impact-loss-they-played-our-game
No Nonsense Kansas City's workmanlike vaults them into tie atop East http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-04-ne-v-skc/highlights
KC Masterpiece Sporting end Seattle's run after epic PK shooutout victory KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Seattle had a chance to make history. And Sporting Kansas City made sure they got directly in the way. It took 120 minutes of soccer and a penalty-kick shootout, but Sporting ended Seattle’s run of three straight Lamar Hunt US Open Cup titles on Wednesday night as they won their second Open Cup – and first trophy since 2004 – in front of 18,863 at Livestrong Sporting Park. After a 1-1 draw in regulation and two scoreless extra-time frames, Eddie Johnson concluded the ensuing shootout by sending his spot kick high over Jimmy Nielsen’s goal to give the home team the crown with a 3-2 win on penalties. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-08-skc-v-sea/recap
Recap: Sporting KC posts 2-1 win over D.C. United Graham Zusi records League-leading 10th assist and adds game-winning goal http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-11-skc-v-dc/highlights
Recap: Kamara's late winner beats TFC, keeps SKC on top TORONTO – Sporting Kansas City dominated the play for much of the game on Saturday against Toronto FC, finally coming away with a 1-0 win after Kei Kamara scored a late goal at BMO Field. Kamara’s winner came after Graham Zusi tapped a dangerous free kick in his path and the shot deflected off the defensive wall and the fingertips of goalkeeper Milos Kocic in the 83rd minute. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-08-18-tor-v-skc/recap
Late night, long flight Delayed travel to NY doesn't stop Sporting from winning http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2012...atop-east-2-0-road-victory-new-york-red-bulls
Blue Hell Zusi brace gives Sporting stranglehold on East's top spot KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Sporting Kansas City punched their 2012 playoff ticket with a feat they hadn't managed in more than five years: a home victory over the Chicago Fire. Sporting gave the Livestrong Sporting Park-record crowd just what they wanted on Friday night, beating the Fire 2-0 behind two goals from Graham Zusi and and Jimmy Nielsen's league-leading 14th clean sheet. Sporting extended their season-high unbeaten streak to nine games, while Chicago had a four-match winning streak snapped and lost for just the second time in their last nine. The match was physical and chippy all night, with 24 total fouls – 13 by Sporting – and two ejections in second-half stoppage time. Chicago manager Frank Klopas was given a straight red by referee Chris Penso, and left back Gonzalo Segares drew his second yellow. http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-09-28-skc-v-chi/recap
Feilhaber fits as Espinoza replacement It's no secret that I'm a fan of Benny Feilhaber. I've been calling for his inclusion in Jurgen Klinsmann's US national team since last summer, and have been known to get into the odd Twitter sparring contest or three about his worth as a player. And I've been saying since about mid-June that Sporting KC should trade for him. My reasoning is simple: Sporting were very, very good last year largely because they could press high, force turnovers and ram the ball down your throat. They'd also beat the hell out of you on set pieces. Beyond that, they were pretty ineffective. If you could stretch them out and make them play you across the entire pitch, then they could be had. Houston have basically written the book on that over the past two seasons, and KC knew it. Now with Tuesday's trade, Feilhaber changes the game for SKC, largely because he's a direct replacement for a guy – Roger Espinoza – with a very different skill set. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...r-analyst-feilhaber-fits-espinoza-replacement
Sporting KC introduce Claudio Bieler as Designated Player Sporting Kansas City introduced 28-year-old forward Claudio Bieler as a Designated Player on Tuesday in a press conference held at Livestrong Sporting Park. He will be added to the club's roster pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa, and will occupy a senior international roster spot. "He's proven over the years that he's a very consistent goalscorer," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "We think he's got a lot of good qualities that can fit into our team. Everything from his commitment to being a team player, to his work ethic out on the field, to a guy that lives and breathes for club that he plays for. We're excited that we're able to finally secure him and add a player of his caliber to our organization." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...kc-introduce-claudio-bieler-designated-player
Sporting KC terminates naming rights deal with Livestrong Amidst the fallout from the doping scandal surrounding disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, the stadium naming rights deal between Sporting Kansas City and the Livestrong Foundation, the anti-cancer nonprofit founded by Armstrong, is set to end well short of the planned six-year agreement. Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman released a statement on SKC's website Tuesday evening detailing the team's ongoing support of the Livestrong Foundation until Tuesday morning, explained the nature of the the rift between the two parties and announced the immediate termination of the agreement. "This morning we were disappointed to learn LIVESTRONG is utilizing aggressive tactics designed to force us into an unsatisfactory arrangement," the end of Heineman's statement reads. "We willingly admit we were not expecting the foundation to treat a partner in this manner. Even more surprising is that LIVESTRONG would take this action in the midst of a significant transitional phase for their organization. "Our faith and trust in this partnership have been permanently damaged; therefore we are terminating our agreement with LIVESTRONG, effectively immediately. As a result of this decision, our stadium will now be referred to as Sporting Park. While we are ending this relationship, our support of the fight against cancer will endure. We look forward to introducing new initiatives to assist these efforts in Kansas City." Sporting's official website now refers to the stadium simply as 'Sporting Park,' while an early photograph suggests the signage at the stadium reading 'Livestrong Sporting Park' has been turned off. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...g-kc-terminates-naming-rights-deal-livestrong
The Shirt Off Their Backs Sporting KC announce Ivy Funds as jersey sponsor was a long time coming, but Sporting Kansas City finally have their first-ever jersey sponsor. The club announced immediately prior to its first pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft that it had signed a multi-year deal with Kansas City-area asset management firm Ivy Funds, which will see the company's logo prominently displayed on the front of Sporting's jerseys. "They offer us everything we wanted, with the key attribute being local," Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman said in a statement. "Local was always the thing that was going to be most important to us in a jersey sponsor and then innovation. Ivy Funds has proven that they're an innovator in their field. We wanted something that connected to our community in a large way and that's exactly what this relationship is going to allow us to do." http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/17/sporting-kc-reach-jersey-sponsorship-deal-ivy-funds
Sporting's partnership with Orlando a "no-lose situation" the affiliation agreement between Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City FC, each got the partner it most wanted. The two sides announced the agreement on Wednesday, hours after MLS and the third-tier USL Pro announced a deal to allow such partnerships and to have MLS Reserve teams play against USL Pro competition during the regular season. “We like what they do as an organization,” Sporting manager Peter Vermes told MLSsoccer.com by telephone. “We like that they're motivated to try to come into MLS. We like the way they play. It has similar characteristics to the way that we try to play. So it fits from a business perspective as well as a technical perspective. This is the club that we wanted to do the partnership with.” Orlando City coach Adrian Heath echoed Vermes' sentiments, but from his own club's perspective. “I don't think that we could have picked a better, more progressive – on and off the field – club to partner up with,” Heath said by telephone. “I think I speak for everybody within our organization: We're incredibly impressed with everything about Sporting. From our view, it's a no-lose situation.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/sportings-partnership-orlando-no-lose-situation
2013 SPORTING KANSAS CITY PRIMARY JERSEY (FRONT) 2013 SPORTING KANSAS CITY PRIMARY JERSEY (BACK) http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...kcs-new-kit-makes-clear-theyre-two-state-club
Impact Falls 2-0 to Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park The Montreal Impact lost its first game of the season on Saturday, falling to Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on the road, at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. SKC took an early lead - in the 5th minute - when midfielder Benny Feilhaber found striker Claudio Bieler with a long through ball. KC's designated player took one touch to his right before firing a low shot, far post past Troy Perkins diving to his left. Sporting doubled its lead in the 80th minute when midfielder Graham Zusi fought his way into the box before chipping Perkins as the Impact keeper came out to challenge the shooter. The Impact's best chance came in the 60th minute when a deep ball was played by Patrice Bernier towards the top of the box. Captain Davy Arnaud won an aerial challenge, tipping it over to forward Marco Di Vaio who side-volleyed a blast towards goal that was knocked down by KC keeper Jimmy Nielsen diving to his right. Impact midfielder Felipe became the second Impact player to surpass the 3,000 minutes played plateau in MLS, following captain Davy Arnaud. Justin Mapp returned to the starting lineup, filling in for Andrea Pisanu in midfield. Pisanu did not make the trip to Kansas City due to a knee injury. Midfielder Blake Smith, the Impact's first overall pick in this year's SuperDraft, was named to the 18-man roster for the game for the first time in his career, and made his debut in the 79th minute. Impact head coach Marco Schallibaum was ejected from the game in the 81st minute.
Sporting KC Moves Atop East with 1-0 Win at New York Sporting Kansas City moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory at the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday as the team extended its shutout streak to 519 minutes with a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Defender Aurelien Collin scored the game-winning goal in the 13th minute with his header following a Graham Zusi corner kick and Jimmy Nielsen made three saves for his 37th regular season MLS shutout to tie Tony Meola for the most by a KC goalkeeper in club history. Sporting KC (4-1-2) won for the third straight match and will take a five-game unbeaten run into Saturday's meeting with the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy. Coming off 12 days rest, Sporting Kansas City started strong on Wednesday with a chance from Designated Player Claudio Bieler in the seventh minute. The Argentine striker - who entered the match with goals in back-to-back games and four goals on the season - found room on the right side of the penalty area and sent a shot across the goalmouth but couldn't connect with the darting run of Sapong. Two minutes later, Sapong was again looming near the New York net following a deflected clearance by Dax McCarty. Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave intervened at the final moment with a sliding tackle to --> (April 17, 2013) -- Sporting Kansas City moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory at the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday as the team extended its shutout streak to 519 minutes with a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Defender Aurelien Collin scored the game-winning goal in the 13th minute with his header following a Graham Zusi corner kick and Jimmy Nielsen made three saves for his 37th regular season MLS shutout to tie Tony Meola for the most by a KC goalkeeper in club history. Sporting KC (4-1-2) won for the third straight match and will take a five-game unbeaten run into Saturday's meeting with the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy. Coming off 12 days rest, Sporting Kansas City started strong on Wednesday with a chance from Designated Player Claudio Bieler in the seventh minute. The Argentine striker - who entered the match with goals in back-to-back games and four goals on the season - found room on the right side of the penalty area and sent a shot across the goalmouth but couldn't connect with the darting run of Sapong. Two minutes later, Sapong was again looming near the New York net following a deflected clearance by Dax McCarty. Red Bulls defender Jamison Olave intervened at the final moment with a sliding tackle to block the shot out for a corner. The game's lone goal came as a result of corner kick earned by outside back Seth Sinovic, who settled the service from Oriol Rosell near the edge of the penalty area and pushed the ball between the legs of Brandon Barklage as he cut inside. His shot from 20 yards out was on target and pushed over the crossbar by Luis Robles to set-up the pivotal set piece. Zusi, who leads MLS with 35 corner kicks this season, delivered a driven cross to the near post where Collin muscled off Olave and sent his header past Robles from eight yards out. The goal was Collin's eighth in MLS competition (playoffs included) and first since April 2012, while Zusi collected his League-leading third assist on the year to move into sole possession of third place in team history with 11 game-winning assists all-time. New York responded in the 16th minute with a set piece opportunity of their own. Nielsen came off his line to punch away a free kick from Juninho and the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year was called into action again to turn away Thierry Henry's shot on the rebound. Free kicks continued to create scoring opportunities for both sides in the back-and-forth match, as Zusi picked out Sapong on a set piece in the 21st minute. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year broke free from his mark but couldn't direct his header on frame from the top of the six-yard box. Nielsen proved pivotal again at the 30-minute mark with his second save on the night. Juninho's pass from midfield sprung Fabian Espindola on the left side with room to run. He cut inside and unleashed a shot that Nielsen smothered to preserve the visitors' one-goal lead. Sporting KC endured nervous moments in the 35th minute following a free kick from Juninho that was loose inside the six-yard box. Chance Myers reacted first to send the ball over the endline and away from danger. The home side continued to press forward at the start of the second half in search of an equalizer as Henry sent his left-footed shot wide from 20 yards out in the 48th minute. Zusi led the Sporting KC counter in the 56th minute, avoiding the challenge of Heath Pearce and splitting two defenders with a pass to Paulo Nagamura inside the penalty area. Robles rushed off his line and made the kick save to deny Nagamura the chance to double Sporting KC's lead. The Red Bulls best scoring opportunity came in the 63rd minute as Henry broke free with only Nielsen to beat. With Sinovic rushing to the scene to assist, the Frenchman pushed his shot wide of the right post from 15 yards out. Collin's aerial prowess was critical in the 73rd minute as Ruben Bover's pinpoint service to the backpost was destined for Espindola and Henry if not for the disruption by the MLS All-Star. Zusi asserted his influence on the match throughout the victory, including a shot from beyond the box in the 76th minute that tested Robles and forced a diving save to the goalkeeper's left. Robles remained busy seven minutes later, sprawling in the opposite direction to turn away an effort from distance by Sapong. New York's final shot on target came from the right foot of Juninho in the 85th minute. The 25-yard attempt troubled Nielsen, forcing a rebound which the Sporting KC captain recovered in time to fall on before Henry could capitalize. Juninho's frustration boiled over in the 91st minute and New York was reduced to 10-men when the Brazilian was sent off for striking Nielsen with the ball prior to a goal kick. It was the first red card shown in a Sporting KC match this season and following six minutes of stoppage time, referee Allen Chapman blew the final whistle in Sporting Kansas City's 1-0 triumph. Sporting Kansas City, now unbeaten in their last five matches against New York, will travel across the country to complete their road trip on Saturday at the LA Galaxy. The match, featuring two of the four MLS teams qualified for the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, will kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT live on the NBC Sports Network and La Gran D 1340AM.
