GAME NOTES
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs REAL ESTELí
SPORTING KANSAS CITY in international competition
Overall: 7-9-7 Home: 3-3-6 Away: 4-6-1 By Tournament CCL: 6-4-4 Superliga: 0-1-2 Merconorte: 1-4-1
Estadio Independencia (Estelí, Nicaragua) 9 p.m. CT CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage English TV: Fox Soccer Plus
1 GK 2 DEF 3 DEF 4 DEF 5 DEF 6 MID 7 DEF 8 MID 9 MID 10 MID 11 FWD 12 MID 13 DEF 14 FWD 15 DEF 16 FWD 17 FWD 18 MID 20 MID 21 GK 22 FWD 23 MID 24 MID 25 MID 28 GK 30 GK 37 FWD 40 DEF 78 DEF 94 MID * On loan
Name
Pronunciation
Eric Kronberg krawn-berg Erik Palmer-Brown Ike Opara** oh-PAR-ah Kevin Ellis Matt Besler BEEZ-ler Paulo Nagamura POW-lo na-ga-MOO-ra Chance Myers** Graham Zusi ZOO-see Antonio Dovale doh-VAH-lay Benny Feilhaber FAIL-hob-ber Sal Zizzo ZEE-zoh Mikey Lopez Lawrence Olum OH-lumm Dom Dwyer Seth Sinovic sin-OH-vick Claudio Bieler bee-AY-lurr C.J. Sapong sah-PONG Victor Munoz Jorge Claros hor-hay Jon Kempin Soony Saad SOO-nee sod Martin Steuble STOY-bleh Michael Kafari Christian Duke* Tim Melia^ Andy Gruenebaum GREEN-uh-BOHM Jacob Peterson Igor Juliao ZHOO-lee-ow Aurelien Collin au-REEL-ee-en Jimmy Medranda* muh-DRAHN-dah ** Disabled list ^ League pool goalkeeper
GOALS
GP G 11 4 8 3 3 2 3 2 5 1 2 1 4 1 9 1 11 1 5 1 12 1 12 1 3 1 6 1 5 1 2 1 5 1
GAMES PLAYED
PLAYER GP 1. Kerry Zavagnin 14 2. Nick Garcia 12 2. Francisco Gomez 12 2. Matt McKeon 12 5. Chris Brown 11 5. Mike Burns 11 7. Tony Meola 10 8. Gary Glasgow 9 8. Chris Klein 9 8. Peter Vermes 9
GOALS AGAINST
PLAYER 1. Tony Meola 2. Bo Oshoniyi 3. Eric Kronberg 4. Kevin Hartman
SHUTOUTS
PLAYER 1. Eric Kronberg 2. Tony Meola 3. Kevin Hartman 3. Bo Oshoniyi
ECU: 1-0-1 NCA: 1-0-1 Away GF: 16 Away GA: 24 Away SO: 3
sporting kc all-time games played/started
sporting kc all-time international matches PLAYER 1. Chris Brown 2. Roy Lassiter 3. Soony Saad 5. Onandi Lowe 5. Jose Burciaga 5. Dario Fabbro 5. Carey Talley 5. Gary Glasgow 5. Mike Burns 5. Preki 5. Francisco Gomez 5. Matt McKeon 5. Ike Opara 5. Dom Dwyer 5. Jacob Peterson 5. Kevin Ellis 5. Benny Feilhaber
Versus clubs from... USA: 0-0-1 TRI: 2-0-0 HON: 1-0-1 MEX: 2-6-2 PER: 0-2-0 CRC: 0-1-1 Other stats of note: Goals for: 26 Home GF: 10 Goals against: 33 Home GF: 9 Shutouts: 9 Home SO: 6
2001 Copa Merconorte 08/01/2001 L 2-1 vs Sporting Cristal (PER) Group Stage 08/08/2001 L 4-2 at Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage 08/29/2001 W 3-2 at Barcelona SC (ECU) Group Stage 09/12/2001 L 2-1 at Sporting Cristal (PER) Group Stage 10/17/2001 T 1-1 vs Barcelona SC (ECU) Group Stage 11/21/2001 L 1-0 vs Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage 2002 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 03/03/2002 W 1-0 at W. Connection (TRI) Round of 16 (Leg 1) 03/16/2002 W 2-0 vs W. Connection (TRI) Round of 16 (Leg 2) 04/10/2002 L 2-1 at Santos Laguna (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 1) 04/24/2002 W 2-0 vs Santos Laguna (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 2) 08/07/2002 L 6-1 at Monarcas Morelia (MEX) Semifinals (Leg 1) 08/28/2002 T 1-1 vs Monarcas Morelia (MEX) Semifinals (Leg 2) 2005 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 03/09/2005 T 0-0 vs Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) Quarterfinals (Leg 1) 03/17/2005 L 2-1 at Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) Quarterfinals (Leg 2) 2009 North American Superliga 06/21/2009 T 0-0 vs Atlas AC (MEX) Group Stage 06/24/2009 T 1-1 at NE Revolution (USA) Group Stage 06/28/2009 L 3-1 vs Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League 08/07/2013 W 2-0 at Real Estelí (NCA) Group Stage 08/27/2013 W 2-0 at CD Olimpia (HON) Group Stage 09/17/2013 T 1-1 vs Real Estelí (NCA) Group Stage 10/23/2013 T 0-0 vs CD Olimpia (HON) Group Stage 03/12/2014 W 1-0 vs Cruz Azul (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 1) 03/19/2014 L 5-1 at Cruz Azul (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 2)
SPORTING Kansas City roster No. Pos.
WWW.SPORTINGKC.COM/MEDIA-GUIDE
GAMES STARTED
PLAYER GS 1. Kerry Zavagnin 13 2. Nick Garcia 12 3. Matt McKeon 11 3. Mike Burns 11 5. Tony Meola 10 6. Chris Brown 9 6. Chris Klein 9 8. Peter Vermes 8 9. Francisco Gomez 7 9. Matt Besler 7 GP 10 4 6 3
GA 15 8 6 4
GP 6 10 3 4
SO 4 3 1 1
FIRST LAST GP Stephen Armstrong 4 Davy Arnaud 6 Matt Besler 7 Claudio Bieler 4 Chris Brown 11 Chris Brunt 2 Teal Bunbury 2 Jose Burciaga 5 Mike Burns 11 Aurelien Collin 3 Jimmy Conrad 4 Dom Dwyer 6 Kevin Ellis 2 Roger Espinoza 2 Dario Fabbro 2 Benny Feilhaber 5 Nick Garcia 12 Josh Gardner 3 Gary Glasgow 9 Francisco Gomez 12 Herculez Gomez 3 Michael Green 1 Andrew Gregor 5 Diego Gutierrez 6 Michael Harrington 3 Kevin Hartman 3 Santiago Hirsig 3 Aaron Hohlbein 3 Tahj Jakins 2 Mechack Jerome 3 Jack Jewsbury 5 Mo Johnston 2 Peterson Joseph 3 Chris Klein 9 Michael Kraus 2 Eric Kronberg 6
GS 3 4 7 4 9 0 1 4 11 3 4 1 2 1 2 5 12 2 5 7 2 1 4 6 1 3 3 3 2 2 3 1 1 9 0 6
FIRST LAST GP Roy Lassiter 8 Jonathan Leathers 2 Claudio Lopez 3 Onandi Lowe 3 Rauwshan McKenzie 2 Matt McKeon 12 Tony Meola 10 Kurt Morsink 1 Chance Myers 1 Paulo Nagamura 3 Lawrence Olum 2 Ike Opara 5 Bo Oshoniyi 4 Jacob Peterson 5 Preki 5 Brandon Prideaux 3 Eric Quill 4 Oriol Rosell 6 Soony Saad 3 Mark Santel 4 C.J. Sapong 6 Igor Simutenkov 1 Seth Sinovic 5 Khari Stephenson 2 Carey Talley 4 Abe Thompson 2 Peter Vermes 9 Sasha Victorine 2 Diego Walsh 2 Lance Watson 2 Josh Wolff 5 Kerry Zavagnin 14 Sal Zizzo 1 Alex Zotinca 2 Graham Zusi 5
GS 4 1 2 3 1 11 10 0 1 3 2 5 4 3 4 1 4 6 3 2 1 1 5 1 3 1 8 2 0 2 5 13 1 1 5
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) 2014-15 CCL GROUP STAGE STANDINGS Group 1 1. Pachuca (1-0-0, +3) 3 pts 2. Municipal (0-0-0) 0 pts 3. Real Espana (0-1-0, -3) 0 pts
Group 5 1. Olimpia (1-0-0, +1) 3 pts 2. Portland Timbers (0-0-0) 0 pts 3. Alpha United (0-1-0, -1) 0 pts
Group 2 1. Real Estelí (0-0-1) 1 pt 2. Saprissa (0-0-1) 1 pt 3. Sporting KC (0-0-0) 0 pts
Group 6 1. Alajuelense (0-0-1) 1 pt 2. Cruz Azul (0-0-1) 1 pt 3. Chorrillo (0-0-0) 0 pts
Group 3 1. Montreal Impact (1-0-0, +1) 3 pts 2. NY Red Bulls (0-0-0) 0 pts 3. CD FAS (0-1-0, -1) 0 pts
Group 7 1. Leon (1-0-0, +2) 3 pts 2. CS Herediano (0-0-0) 0 pt 3. Isidro Metapan (0-1-0, -2) 0 pts
Group 4 1. Waterhouse FC (1-0-0, +1) 3 pts 2. D.C. United (0-0-0) 0 pts 3. Tauro (0-1-0, -1) 0 pts
Group 8 1. Comunicaciones (1-0-0, +5) 3 pts 2. America (0-0-0) 0 pts 3. Bayamon FC (0-1-0, -5) 0 pts
*Each of the eight group winners advance to the 2014-15 CCL quarterfinals*
2014-15 CCL GROUP 2 SCHEDULE Aug. 6 Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Sept. 18 Sept. 23 Oct. 23
Real Estelí 1, Saprissa 1 (EST: Valiente 10’, SAP: Rodríguez 65’) Real Estelí v Sporting KC at Estadio Independencia (NCA) Saprissa v Real Estelí at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá (CRC) Sporting KC v Saprissa at Sporting Park (USA) Sporting KC v Real Estelí at Sporting Park (USA) Saprissa v Sporting KC at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá (CRC)
The quarterfinals will begin in early 2015. All games in the Championship Stage are home and away series decided by aggregate goals scored over the two legs.
BY COUNTRY (ALL-TIME)
BY COUNTRY (CCL ERA)
Mexico: 30 champions 6: Cruz Azul 5: America 4: Pachuca 3: UNAM, Monterrey 2: Toluca, Atlante, Necaxa 1: Guadalajara, Puebla, Universidad de Guadalajara Costa Rica: 6 champions 3: Saprissa 2: Alajuelense 1: Cartagines El Salvador: 3 champions 1: Alianza, Aguila, FAS Suriname: 2 champions 2: Transvaal Guatemala: 2 champions 1: Municipal, Comunicaciones Honduras: 2 champions 2: Olimpia Trinidad & Tobago: 2 champions 2: Defence Force United States: 2 champions 1: D.C. United, LA Galaxy Haiti: 2 champions 1: Haitien, Violette
The best finish, by country, since the start of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008-09:
1962: Guadalajara (Mexico) 1963: Racing (Haiti) 1967: Alianza (El Salvador) 1968: Toluca (Mexico) 1969: Cruz Azul (Mexico) 1970: Cruz Azul (Mexico) 1971: Cruz Azul (Mexico) 1972: Olimpia (Honduras) 1973: Transvaal (Suriname) 1974: Municipal (Guatemala) 1975: Atletico Español (Mexico) 1976: Aguila (El Salvador) 1977: Club America (Mexico)
1978: Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico), Comunicaciones (Guatemala), Defence Force (Trinidad & Tobago) 1979: FAS (El Salvador) 1980: Pumas UNAM (Mexico) 1981: Transvaal (Suriname) 1982: Pumas UNAM (Mexico) 1983: Atlante (Mexico) 1984: Violette (Haiti) 1985: Defence Force (Trinidad & Tobago) 1986: Alajuelense (Costa Rica)
Mexico (six champions) 3: Monterrey (2011, 2012, 2013) 1: Atlante (2009), Pachuca (2010), Cruz Azul (2014) United States (one runner-up) 1: Real Salt Lake (2011) Costa Rica (two semifinalists) 1: Saprissa (2011), Alajuelense (2014) Canada (one semifinalist) 1: Toronto FC (2012) Puerto Rico (one semifinalist) 1: Puerto Rico Islanders (2009) Honduras (three quarterfinalists) 2: Marathon (2009, 2010) 1: Olimpia (2011) Guatemala (two quarterfinalists) 1: Comunicaciones (2010), Xelaju (2013) Panama (two quarterfinalists) 2: Arabe Unido (2010, 2014) El Salvador (one quarterfinalist) 1: Isidro Metapan (2012)
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRIMER The CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) is the Confederation’s annual club championship. It was inaugurated in the 2008-2009 season, replacing the Champions’ Cup, which had decided the region’s best team since 1962. Featuring 24 squads from CONCACAF’s three sub-regions -- North America, Central America and the Caribbean -- the CCL is now played in two stages: the Group Stage and Championship Stage. Sporting KC qualified as 2013 MLS Cup champions and is the only U.S.-based team competing in the tournament for a second straight year. Berths are allocated by country or, in the case of the Caribbean, by region: North America (9 Teams) Mexico: 4 (Leon, America, Pachuca, Cruz Azul) United States: 4 (Sporting KC, NY Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, D.C. United) Canada: 1 (Montreal Impact) Central America (12 Teams) Costa Rica: 3* (Alajuelense, Saprissa, Herediano) El Salvador: 2 (Isidro Metapan, FAS) Guatemala: 2 (Comunicaciones, Municipal) Honduras: 2 (Real Espana, Olimpia) Panama: 2 (Tauro, Chorrillo) Nicaragua: 1 (Real Estelí) Caribbean (3 Teams)** Puerto Rico: 1 (Puerto Rico Bayamon FC) Jamaica: 1 (Waterhouse) Guyana: 1 (Alpha United) * Due to incompliant stadiums, Belize’s berth was replaced by a 3rd berth to Costa Rica for the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League **Determined through a Caribbean qualifying tournament
YEAR-BY-YEAR (CCL ERA) 2008/09: MLS: 2-10-6 Costa Rica: 3-3-2 Nicaragua: 0-1-1 2009/10 MLS: 7-10-9 Costa Rica: 2-5-3 Nicaragua: 0-0-0 2010/11 MLS: 16-14-8 Costa Rica: 6-4-2 Nicaragua: 0-0-0 2011/12 MLS: 21-16-7 Costa Rica: 7-6-1 Nicaragua: 0-2-0 2012/13 MLS: 16-8-6 Costa Rica: 5-2-3 Nicaragua: 0-3-1 2013/14 MLS: 13-9-5 Costa Rica: 7-7-2 Nicaragua: 0-3-1 2014/15 MLS: 1-0-0 Costa Rica: 0-0-2 Nicaragua: 0-0-1
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP The winner of the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League qualifies for the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup to compete against the champion clubs from each of the other five continental confederations, as well as the national league champion from the host country (India or Japan). Clubs qualify through the following competitions: CONMEBOL: 2015 Copa Libertadores UEFA: 2014/15 Champions League AFC: 2015 Champions League CAF: 2015 Champions League OFC: 2014/15 Champions League HOST: League champion Previous FCWC Champions 2000: Corinthians (Brazil) 2005: Sao Paulo (Brazil) 2006: Internacional (Brazil) 2007: A.C. Milan (Italy) 2008: Manchester United (England) 2009: Barcelona (Spain) 2010: Inter Milan (Italy) 2011: Barcelona (Spain) 2012: Corinthians (Brazil) 2013: Bayern Munich (Germany)
CONCACAF CLUB CHAMPIONS: 1962-2013 1987: Club America (Mexico) 1988: Olimpia (Honduras) 1989: Pumas UNAM (Mexico) 1990: Club America (Mexico) 1991: Puebla (Mexico) 1992: Club America (Mexico) 1993: Saprissa (Costa Rica 1994: Cartagines (Costa Rica) 1995: Saprissa (Costa Rica) 1996: Cruz Azul (Mexico) 1997: Cruz Azul (Mexico) 1998: D.C. United (USA) 1999: Necaxa (Mexico)
2000: Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) 2002: Pachuca (Mexico) 2003: Toluca (Mexico) 2004: Alajuelense (Costa Rica) 2005: Saprissa (Costa Rica) 2006: Club América (Mexico) 2007: Pachuca (Mexico) 2008: Pachuca (Mexico) 2008-09: Atlante (Mexico) 2009-10: Pachuca (Mexico) 2010-11: Monterrey (Mexico) 2011-12: Monterrey (Mexico) 2012-13: Monterrey (Mexico) 2013-14: Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) DEPORTIVO SAPRISSA CCL ROSTER (AS OF AUG. 15) NO 1 2 5 7 9 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 29 31 33
NAME Dany Carvajal Jordan Smith Rafael Morales David Ramirez Hansell Aruaz Marvin Anguilo Adolfo Machado Ariel Rodriguez Deyver Vega Gabriel Badilla Kendall Watson Kevin Briceño Keilor Soto David Guzman Diego Estrada Donny Grant Juan Bustos Manfred Russell Daniel Colindres Michael Barquero Gualberto Montenegro Carlos Saucedo
POS GK DEF DEF FWD FWD MF DEF FWD FWD DEF DEF GK DEF MF MF GK MF MF FWD DEF DEF FWD
DOB 08/01/1989 23/04/1991 06/04/1988 28/05/1993 09/08/1989 30/09/1986 14/02/1985 27/09/1989 19/09/1992 30/06/1984 01/01/1988 21/10/1991 26/07/1984 18/02/1990 25/05/1989 12/04/1976 09/07/1992 23/09/1993 10/01/1985 10/02/1991 02/02/1991 11/09/1979
NATIONALITY Costa Rica Costa Rica Panama Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Costa Rica Bolivia
SPORTING KANSAS CITY CCL ROSTER (AS OF AUG. 15) NO 1 2 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 22 30 37 40 78
NAME Eric Kronberg Erik Palmer-Brown Kevin Ellis Matt Besler Paulo Nagamura Graham Zusi Toni Dovale Benny Feilhaber Sal Zizzo Mikey Lopez Lawrence Olum Dom Dwyer Seth Sinovic Claudio Bieler CJ Sapong Jon Kempin Soony Saad Andy Gruenebaum Jake Peterson Igor Juliao Aurelien Collin
POS GK DEF DEF DEF MF MF MF MF FWD MF MF FWD DEF FWD FWD GK FWD GK FWD DEF DEF
DOB 07/06/1983 24/04/1997 30/06/1991 11/02/1987 02/03/1983 18/08/1986 04/04/1990 19/01/1985 04/03/1997 20/02/1993 10/07/1984 30/07/1990 28/01/1987 01/03/1984 27/12/1988 08/04/1993 17/08/1992 30/12/1982 27/01/1986 23/08/1994 08/03/1986
NATIONALITY USA USA USA USA Brazil USA Spain USA USA USA Kenya Great Britain USA Argentina USA USA USA USA USA Brazil France
REAL Estelí CCL ROSTER (AS OF AUG. 15) NO 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 23 24 27 29
NAME Justo Lorente Alan Kardek Eduardo Praes Cristiam Gutierrez Manuel Rosas Camilo Ramirez Carlos Chavarría Samuel Wilson Rudel Calero Elmer Mejia Francisco Paz Alexis Sommarriba Franklin Lopez Elvis Figueroa Felix Eliud Zeledon Daniel Da Silva Juan Barrera Felix Rodriguez Nahun Peralta Norfrank Lazo Rodrigo Valeinet Roger Sanchez
POS GK DEF DEF DEF MF DEF FWD FWD FWD MF DEF FWD MF MF DEF MF FWD MF MF FWD MF GK
DOB 27/02/1984 22/02/1980 03/11/1986 06/01/1993 08/10/1983 01/02/1986 02/05/1994 09/04/1983 20/12/1982 23/06/1978 07/08/1986 11/05/1994 16/08/1982 18/12/1988 24/11/1983 30/11/1990 02/05/1989 27/04/1984 21/10/1994 08/09/1990 20/07/1989 12/06/1992
NATIONALITY Nicaragua Brazil Brazil Nicaragua Nicaragua Colombia Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Brazil Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua Uruguay Nicaragua
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1)
As a result of capturing the 2013 MLS Cup, Sporting Kansas City is making its second straight appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League. Sporting KC knocked off Real Salt Lake 7-6 on penalty kicks after the final ended in a 1-1 draw. A charter member of Major League Soccer, Sporting KC also won the 2000 MLS title by defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 in the final. The team’s home stadium, Sporting Park, opened in 2011 and has a seating capacity of 18,467. It has hosted numerous international competitions, including the 2013 MLS All-Star Game. Coached by former United States international Peter Vermes, the club features United States Men’s National Team members Graham Zusi and Matt Besler, both of whom played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Forward Dom Dwyer has one career CCL goal and leads the team
in scoring during the 2014 MLS season with 14 goals. The club reached the quarterfinals of the 2013/14 CCL before falling to eventual champion Cruz Azul (5-2 on aggregate). Fast Facts... • Sporting KC and Real Estelí met twice in the last CCL with the reigning MLS champions winning in Nicaragua (2-0) and drawing at home (1-1) • Sporting KC conceded one total goal in its first five CCL games before falling at Cruz Azul 5-1 in the second leg of the 2013/14 quarterfinals
Founded in 1960, El Tren del Norte won their first of 14 Primera Division titles in 1991 and have claimed each of the last seven Apertura and Clausura crowns. Real Estelí is Nicaragua’s only representative in CONCACAF Champions League history and has qualified every year since the 2008-09 edition. Though it has never won in the competition, 11 of its 13 all-time games have been decided by one goal or less. The club is managed by Otoniel Olivas, who previously coached the squad from 2002-09. He also coached the Nicaragua National Team from 2009-10, leading them at their first ever appearance at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009.
Fast Facts... • All-time CCL home record: 0-4-3; 3 GF, 8 GA • All-time CCL group stage record: 0-6-3; 3 GF, 13 GA • Real Estelí has never scored more than one goal in a CCL match • Real Estelí has conceded one goal or fewer in six of its last seven CCL matches • Last 5 in CCL: D(h), L(a), D(a), L(h), L(h) • All-time CCL scorers: Rudel Calero (2 goals); Manuel Rosas, Juan Barrera, Rodrigo Valiente (1 goal each)
Deportivo Saprissa is making its fourth appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League after capturing the 2014 Clausura title by beating Alajuelense 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged final. The Monstruo Morado reached the semifinals of the 2010/11 CCL before falling to Real Salt Lake 3-2 on aggregate. Saprissa has won the CONCACAF Champions Cup on three occasions (1993, 1995, 2005). In the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup, Saprissa posted a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad for a third place finish. Saprissa has also won five Central American titles and 30 Primera Division de Costa Rica championships, including six straight in the 1970s. The team plays at the 23,281-seat Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, also known as the Monster’s Cave. Coached by Rónald González, Saprissa is returning to the CCL for the first time since 2010/11 and is the last non-Mexican team to lift the trophy.
Fast Facts... • All-time CCL away record: 3-6-3; 10 GF, 18 GA • All-time CCL group stage record: 7-7-5; 25 GF, 24 GA • Saprissa has conceded at least one goal in their last 11 CCL away games • Last 5 in CCL: D(a), W(h), L(a), W(a), W(h) • All-time CCL leading scorers: Jairo Arrieta (5 goals); Armando Alonso (4 goals)
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) SPORTING KC IN 2014 MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER The 2013 MLS Cup champions sit atop Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference and are tied for first in the Supporters’ Shield with 42 points (126-6). Peter Vermes’ men enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak from June 6 to Aug. 10 and rattled off a club record five straight road wins during that stretch. Three Sporting KC players -- forward Dom Dwyer (May), goalkeeper Eric Kronberg (June) and midfielder Benny Feilhaber (July) -- have earned MLS Player of the month honors this season. Sporting KC faces a busy end to the 2014 campaign with 10 League matches and four CCL games before the MLS Playoffs begin in November.
2014 MLS STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE 1. Sporting KC 42 pts (12-6-6) 2. D.C. United 37 pts (11-7-4) 3. Toronto FC 32 pts (9-8-5) 4. Columbus Crew 30 pts (7-8-9) 5. NY Red Bulls 28 pts (6-7-10) 6. NE Revolution 27 pts (8-12-3) 7. Philadelphia Union 27 pts (6-9-9) 8. Houston Dynamo 25 pts (7-12-4) 9. Chicago Fire 25 pts (4-6-13) 10. Montreal Impact 17 pts (4-14-5)
WESTERN CONFERENCE 1. Real Salt Lake 42 pts (11-4-9) 2. Seattle Sounders 41 pts (13-7-2) 3. FC Dallas 39 pts (11-7-6) 4. LA Galaxy 34 pts (9-5-7) 5. Van. Whitecaps 33 pts (7-4-12) 6. Portland Timbers 31 pts (7-7-10) 7. Colorado Rapids 30 pts (8-9-6) 8. SJ Earthquakes 24 pts (6-9-6) 9. Chivas USA 24 pts (6-11-6)
ZAVAGNIN CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL STREAK
FOUR ON SPORTING KC WITH PAST CCL EXPERIENCE
Sporting KC assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin has either played (14) or served on the technical staff (9) for every competitive international match in club history. His 14 appearances in competitive international matches from 2000-2008 are the most by a KC player all-time. He became an assistant coach beginning with the 2009 season and is currently in his 15th consecutive season with the club.
Four Sporting Kansas City players have previously participated in the CONCACAF Champions League while with other clubs. Jorge Claros (Motagua 2010-11, 2011-12), Andy Gruenebaum (Columbus Crew 2010-11), Jacob Peterson (Toronto FC 2010-11) and Paulo Nagamura (Chivas USA 2008-09) each bring experience in addition to Sporting KC’s run to the quarterfinal round in last year’s tournament.
WELCOME TO Estelí, NICARAGUA
REAL Estelí IN 2014 PRIMERA DIVISIóN
Estelí is the third largest city in Nicaragua, located 93 miles north of the capital city of Managua. Estelí called home to 112,000 residents as of the 2005 census and sits at an elevation of approximately 1/2 mile above sea level. The forecast for Tuesday’s match calls for temperatures in the 70s and the local match time is 8 p.m. (9 p.m. CT).
Three games into the Nicaraguan Primera Division’s 2014 Apertura season, Real Estelí FC currently sit in first place with a 3-0-0 record. The club leads the league with nine goals scored, while conceding only twice. Rudel Calero (4) and Samuel Wilson (3) lead the league in goals scored.
ESTADIO INDEPENDENCIA: HOME OF REAL Estelí FC Estadio Independencia features a synthetic turf surface and is in the midst of a four-year, $7 million renovation that will expand its current capacity from 5,000 to approximately 8,000. The modifications will also provide new roofing, a videoboard and a team museum. The stadium did not meet CONCACAF standards for the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League, forcing Real Estelí FC to host their home match in neighboring Honduras. Due to stadium limitations, the team was not permitted to compete in the 2009-10 or 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League tournaments despite qualifying on both occasions.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Originally scheduled to play Saturday at Walter Ferretti, Real Estelí FC rescheduled the match to accommodate the team’s CONCACAF Champions League fixture on Tuesday.
• • • •
July 26 W 3-1 vs Deportivo Ocotal (Calero 67, Wilson 76 & 84) Aug. 1 W 4-1 vs Jalapa (Wilson 25, Calero 30 & 87, Chavarria 89) Aug. 6 T 1-1 vs Deportivo Saprissa (Valiente 9) Aug. 10 W 2-0 at Real Madriz (Calero 76, Chavarria 90)
REAL Estelí IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Tuesday’s match will air live at 9 p.m. CT on FOX Soccer Plus with John Strong and Janusz Michallik commentating. The match will also be streamed live online via FOX Soccer 2Go.
Real Estelí FC is seeking the club’s first win in CONCACAF competition during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League tournament. The team is 0-29-7 in CONCACAF matches since 1991 and 0-13-5 in CCL matches.
For online coverage during the match, visit the links below: • SportingKC.com/GameOn or @SKCGameday on Twitter • concacafchampions.com or @TheChampions on Twitter • Sporting Club Uphoria and CONCACAF - Champions League mobile apps
1991: L 4-1 to Saprissa in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1991: L 4-1 to Saprissa in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1991: L 8-1 to Saprissa in CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup 1991: L 15-0 to CSD Comunicaciones in CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup 1991: L 3-0 to CD Atletico Marte in CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup 1992: L 2-0 to Tauro FC in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1992: L 5-1 to Tauro FC in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1996: T 1-1 vs Arabe Unido in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1996: L 1-0 to Arabe Unido in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1998: L 8-0 to Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 1998: L 3-1 to Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions’ Cup 2000: L 6-0 to Alajuelense in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2000: L 2-1 to Alajuelense in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2000: L 2-1 to Real Espana in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2000: L 8-0 to Real Espana in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2003: L 1-0 to Saprissa in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2003: L 1-1 vs Diriangen FC in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2003: L 2-1 to FAS in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2004: T 1-1 vs Real Espana in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2004: T 3-3 vs Real Espana in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2004: L 1-0 to Saprissa in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2004: L 4-0 to Saprissa in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2006: T 1-1 vs Saprissa in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2006: L 1-0 to Saprissa in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2007: L 2-0 to CD Motagua in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2007: L 3-1 to CD Motagua in Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2008: L 1-0 to Montreal Impact in CONCACAF Champions League 2008: T 0-0 vs Montreal Impact in CONCACAF Champions League 2011: L 2-1 to Toronto FC in CONCACAF Champions League 2011: L 2-1 to Toronto FC in CONCACAF Champions League 2012: L 4-0 to UANL in CONCACAF Champions League 2012: L 1-0 to Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions League 2012: T 1-1 vs UANL in CONCACAF Champions League 2012: L 1-0 to Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions League 2013: L 2-0 vs Sporting Kansas City in CONCACAF Champions League 2013: L 1-0 vs CD Olimpia in CONCACAF Champions League 2013: T 1-1 vs Sporting Kansas City in CONCACAF Champions League 2013: L 1-0 vs CD Olimpia in CONCACAF Champions League 2014: T 1-1 vs Deportivo Saprissa in CONCACAF Champions League
AUG. 6 BOX: REAL Estelí 1, DEPORTIVO SAPRISSA 1 Deportivo Saprissa at Real Estelí | Estadio Independencia | Estelí, Nicaragua Real Estelí: 1-Justo Lorente; 17-Felix Zeledon, 3-Eduardo Praes, 2-Alan Kardek, 7-Manuel Rosas (21-Félix Rodríguez 76); 12-Elmer Mejía, 15-Franklin López, 27-Rodrigo Valiente Baraybar; 10-Samuel Wilson, 24-Norfran Lazo Morales (9-Carlos Chavarría 46), 20-Juan Barrera (19-Jefferson de Almeida 24) Deportivo Saprissa: 1-Danny Carvajal; 2-Jordan Smith,19-Keylor Soto, 13-Adolfo Machado, 5-Rafael Morales de León; 20-David Guzmán, 23-Juan Bustos (21-Diego Estrada 66), 25-Manfred Russell; 9-Hansell Arauz (26-Daniel Colindres 77), 7-David Ramirez Ruiz, 33-Carlos Saucedo (14-Ariel Rodríguez Araya 62) Misconduct Summary: SAP: David Guzmán (caution) 21 EST: Franklin Lopez (caution) 36 SAP: Jordan Smith (caution) 84 Scoring Summary: EST: Rodrigo Valiente Baraybar 10 SAP: Ariel Rodriguez Araya 65 Referee: Raul Castro (HON) AR1: Ronaldo De La Cruz (HON) AR2: William Torres (SLV)
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) BOX SCORES: SPORTING KC IN 2013-14 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE (1 of 4): SPORTING KC 2, REAL Estelí 0
QUARTERFINAL LEG 1: SPORTING KC 1, CRUZ AZUL 0
Sporting KC at Real Estelí | 8/7/2013 | Estadio Independencia | Estelí, Nicaragua
Cruz Azul at Sporting KC | 3/12/2014 | Sporting Park | Kansas City, USA
Sporting Kansas City: 18-Eric Kronberg; 78-Aurélien Collin, 24-Mechack Jerome, 13-Lawrence Olum, 3-Ike Opara; 15-Seth Sinovic, 10-Benny Feilhaber (19-Peterson Joseph 68), 20- Oriol Rosell; 14-Dom Dwyer (9-Teal Bunbury 83), 14-Jacob Peterson; 22-Soony Saad (17-C.J. Sapong 87)
Sporting Kansas City: 1-Eric Kronberg; 15-Seth Sinovic, 5-Matt Besler (c), 3-Ike Opara, 4-Kevin Ellis; 20-Oriol Rosell, 6-Paulo Nagamura, 10-Benny Feilhaber (17-C.J. Sapong 76); 8-Graham Zusi, 16-Claudio Bieler (14-Dom Dwyer 88), 11-Sal Zizzo (37-Jacob Peterson 60)
Misconduct Summary: KC -- Mechack Jerome (caution) 5 KC -- Soony Saad (caution) 46+ EST -- Franklin Lopez (caution) 64 EST -- Alan Kardek (caution) 72
Cruz Azul: 1-Jesus Corona (c); 15-Gerardo Flores, 4-Julio Dominguez, 14-Luis Amaranto, 28-Rogelio Chavez; 33-Mauro Formica, 10-Christian Gimenez, 5-Alejandro Castro; 11-Joao Rojas, 9-Mariano Pavone, 8-Marco Fabian
Scoring Summary: KC -- Ike Opara (Benny Feilhaber) 32 KC -- Dom Dwyer (Aurelien Collin) 75 Referee: Jafeth Perea (PAN) AR1: Gabriel Victoria (PAN) AR2: Juan Baines (PAN)
GROUP STAGE (2 of 4): SPORTING KC 2, CD OLIMPIA 0 Sporting KC at CD Olimpia | 8/27/13 | Estadio Nacional | Tegucigalpa, Honduras Sporting Kansas City: 18-Eric Kromberg; 78-Aurélien Collin, 24-Mechack Jerome, 3-Ike Opara, 15-Seth Sinovic, 10-Benny Feilhaber (19-Peterson Joseph 66), 6-Paulo Nagamura (17-C.J. Sapong 76), 20- Oriol Rosell, 8-Graham Zusi, 22-Soony Saad, 16-Claudio Bieler (14-Dom Dwyer 47) Misconduct Summary: KC -- Paulo Nagamura (caution) 50 KC -- Seth Sinovic (caution) 53 OLI -- José Fonseca (caution) 57 KC -- Aurelien Collin (caution) 73 OLI -- Rioberto Padilla (caution) 73 Scoring Summary: KC -- Soony Saad (Graham Zusi) 26 KC -- Soony Saad (penalty kick) 67 Referee: Ricardo Montero (CRC) AR1: Leonel Leal (CRC) AR2: Octavio Jara (CRC)
GROUP STAGE (3 of 4): SPORTING KC 1, REAL Estelí 1 Real Estelí at Sporting KC | 9/17/2013 | Sporting Park | Kansas City, USA Sporting Kansas City: 18-Eric Kronberg; 31-Josh Gardner, 3-Ike Opara, 5-Matt Besler, 15-Seth Sinovic; 20-Oriol Rosell, 19-Peterson Joseph (17-C.J. Sapong 46), 10-Benny Feilhaber; 8-Graham Zusi, 16-Claudio Bieler (14-Dom Dwyer 62), 22-Soony Saad (37-Jacob Peterson 75)
Misconduct Summary: CAZ - Rogelio Chavez (caution; reckless foul) 23 SKC - Kevin Ellis (caution; unsporting behavior) 45 CAZ - Luis Amaranto (caution; tactical foul) 75 SKC -- Seth Sinovic (caution; delaying a restart) 77 SKC -- C.J. Sapong (caution; unsporting behavior) 90 CAZ - Alejandro Castro (caution; unsporting behavior) 90 Scoring Summary: SKC -- Kevin Ellis (Claudio Bieler) 17 Referee: Elmer Bonilla (SLV) AR1: Douglas Bermúdez (SLV) AR2: Héctor Recinos (SLV)
QUARTERFINAL LEG 2: SPORTING KC 1, CRUZ AZUL 5 Sporting KC at Cruz Azul | 3/19/2014 | Estadio Azul | Mexico City, Mexico Sporting Kansas City: 1-Eric Kronberg; 4-Kevin Ellis, 5-Matt Besler (c), 3-Ike Opara, 31-Josh Gardner (24-Mechack Jerome 43); 20-Oriol Rosell, 6-Paulo Nagamura (17-C.J. Sapong 72), 10-Benny Feilhaber; 8-Graham Zusi, 16-Claudio Bieler (14-Dom Dwyer 67), 37-Jacob Peterson Cruz Azul: 1-Jesus Corona (c); 15-Gerardo Flores, 4-Julio Dominguez, 14-Luis Amaranto, 18-Sergio Napoles (55-David Stringel 81); 33-Mauro Formica, 10-Christian Gimenez, 6-Gerardo Torrado; 11-Joao Rojas, 9-Mariano Pavone (70-Ismael Valadez 83), 8-Marco Fabian (7-Pablo Barrera 86) Misconduct Summary: SKC - Eric Kronberg (Time Wasting) 51 SKC - Kevin Ellis (Reckless Foul) 45+ SKC - Matt Besler (Reckless Foul) 48 SKC - Mechack Jerome (Reckless Foul) 51 SKC - Claudio Bieler (reckless foul) 57 SKC- Graham Zusi (Dissent)73 SKC - Oriol Rosell (Argument) 89 CAZ - Christian Gimenez (Argument) 89
Misconduct Summary: EST - Douglas de Souza Ferreira (caution) 58 KC - Josh Gardner (caution) 84
Scoring Summary: CAZ - Mariano Pavone (Joao Rojas) 2 CAZ - Mariano Pavone 24 SKC - Benny Feilhaber (Graham Zusi) 44 CAZ - Mariano Pavone (Sergio Napoles, Marco Fabian) 55 CAZ - Mauro Formica 66 CAZ - Christian Gimenez (Mauro Formica) 70
Scoring Summary: EST - Rudel Calero (Samuel Wilson) 54 KC - Jacob Peterson (Graham Zusi) 84
Referee: Walter Lopez (GUA) AR1: Gerson Lopez (GUA) AR2: Ronaldo de la Cruz (GUA)
Referee: Sandy Vasquez (DOM) AR1: Hector Delgadillo (MEX) AR2: Mario Lopez (MEX)
GROUP STAGE (4 of 4): SPORTING KC 0, CD OLIMPIA 0 CD Olimpia at Sporting KC | 10/23/2013 | Sporting Park | Kansas City, USA Sporting Kansas City: 18-Eric Kronberg; 7-Chance Myers, 78-Aurelien Collin, 5-Matt Besler (c), 15-Seth Sinovic; 20-Oriol Rosell, 13-Lawrence Olum, 8-Graham Zusi; 37-Jacob Peterson (31-Josh Gardner 92+), 9-Teal Bunbury (14-Dom Dwyer 79), 17-C.J. Sapong Misconduct Summary: KC -- Aurelien Collin (caution; reckless foul) 25 OLI -- Carlos Mejia (caution; delaying a restart) 40 KC -- Teal Bunbury (caution; unsporting behavior) 40 OLI -- Nery Medina (caution; reckless foul) 61 Scoring Summary: None Referee: Joel Aguilar (SLV) AR1: Juan Francisco Zumba (SLV) AR2: William Torres (SLV)
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1)
MINI BIOS COACHING STAFF
Peter Vermes Manager
Kerry Zavagnin Assistant Coach
John Pascarella Assistant Coach
Zoran Savic Assistant Coach
Mateus Manoel Fitness Coach
PLAYERS #5 | D | Matt Besler Ht: 6-0 Wt. 170 DOB: 2/11/1987 Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas College: Notre Dame Acquired: 2009 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#8) Sporting KC’s team captain for the 2014 campaign, Besler is in his sixth season at his hometown club. He has earned MLS Best XI (2012, 2013), MLS All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014), MLS Defender of the Year (2012) and MLS Breakout Player of the Year (2012) honors and was named the 2014 KC Sportsman of the Year by the Kansas City Sports Commission. On July 19, he signed a Designated Player contract with the club through the 2018 season. Besler was on the United States’ roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup alongside teammate Graham Zusi. He became the first player from the state of Kansas to play in the World Cup and started all four matches in central defense at the tournament. Besler has earned 21 caps since debuting in January 2013, and the Americans are 13-3-4 when he starts. Besler started four of Sporting KC’s six CONCACAF Champions League matches in the 2013-14 tournament, including both quarterfinal legs against Cruz Azul this March.
#16 | F | Claudio Bieler Ht: 5-11 Wt. 170 DOB: 3/1/1984 Hometown: Vera, Santa Fe, Argentina Last Club: LDU Quito (Ecuador) Acquired: Signed as Designated Player on 12/18/2012 Bieler won the club’s Golden Boot last year with 10 goals and added four assists en route to Sporting KC 2013 Newcomer of the Year honors. He was acquired from LDU Quito where he won the Copa Libertadores (2008) and Copa Sudamericana (2009). A dual citizen of Ecuador and Argentina, he has played professionally in both countries as well as Chile. The team’s fourth Designated Player in club history, Bieler has made nine MLS appearances during the 2014 season with one goal. Bieler played four games in Sporting KC’s 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League campaign, registering an assist in the club’s 1-0 quarterfinal first leg win over Cruz Azul this March. #20 | M | Jorge Claros Ht: 5-9 Wt. 155 DOB: 1/8/1986 Hometown: La Ceiba, Honduras Last Club: CD Motagua Acquired: Signed on 7/16/2014 After signing for Sporting KC on July 16, Claros made his MLS and competitive club debut on Aug. 1, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union. The defensive midfielder has featured 53 times for the Honduras Men’s National Team and has scored three goals since making his debut in 2006. He played in all three matches for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Claros helped Honduran club Motagua win Liga Nacional titles during the 2007-08 Apertura and 2010-11 Clausura before joining Scottish side Hibernian in 2012. He returned to Motagua for the 201314 season. Claros started nine total CONCACAF Champions League contests for Honduran club Motagua in 2010-11 and 2011-12. #78 | D | Aurelien Collin Ht: 6-2 Wt. 169 DOB: 3/8/1986 Hometown: Enghien-les-Bains, France Last Club: Vitoria Setubal (Portugal) Acquired: Signed on 4/15/2011 The fourth-year Frenchman has earned MLS Best XI (2012, 2013), MLS All-Star (2012, 2013, 2014) and Sporting KC Humanitarian of the Year honors (2013). Collin’s 15 goals in MLS competition are second most by a defender in club history. He was named 2013 MLS Cup MVP after scoring the equalizing goal and converting the match-winning penalty kick vs. Real Salt Lake at Sporting Park. Collin’s professional career began with stints in Scotland (Gretna FC), Greece (Panserraikos) and England (Wrexham FC). He played two seasons for Vitoria Setubal of the Portuguese top flight before joining Sporting KC as a guest trialist in March 2011. Collin started three matches in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League group stage last fall.
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) #9 | D | Antonio Dovale Ht: 5-8 Wt. 152 DOB: 4/4/1990 Hometown: A Coruna, Galicia, Spain Last Club: Celta de Vigo (Spain) Acquired: Signed on 3/12/2014 Dovale made his Sporting KC debut as a substitute in the MLS Cup rematch against Real Salt Lake on April 5 and scored his first goal on May 27 vs. New York. He has contributed a goal and two assists in 11 MLS matches this season. The midfielder played four years in the Barcelona Academy before signing a professional contract with second division club Celta de Vigo at age 16. He played there for three years before going on a year-long loan to SD Huesca. He returned to Celta prior to the 2011-12 season and helped the club earn promotion to LigaBBVA with two goals in 30 appearances. #14 | F | Dom Dwyer Ht: 5-9 Wt. 180 DOB: 7/30/1990 Hometown: London, England College: South Florda Acquired: 2012 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#16) Dwyer’s career-high 16 goals in 2014 rank second in MLS. After scoring a brace on May 23 vs. Toronto FC, he became the third player in club history to score in four straight regular season matches. The Englishman is currently second on the club’s single season goal scoring chart, two short of tying Preki’s mark in 1996, and won MLS Player of the Month for May. Dwyer totalled 26 goals across six competitions in 2013 while splitting time with Sporting KC and the team’s USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC. He was the USL PRO Championship MVP with four goals in the final and helped propel Sporting KC to MLS Cup by scoring the game-winning goal in the Eastern Conference Championship. Dwyer appeared in all six of Sporting KC’s matches during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, including three starts, and scored a group stage goal at Real Estelí on Aug. 7, 2013. #10 | M | Benny Feilhaber Ht: 5-9 Wt. 160 DOB: 1/19/1985 Hometown: Irvine, California College: UCLA Last Club: New England Revolution Acquired: Trade with New England Revolution 12/11/12 Sporting KC acquired World Cup veteran Feilhaber in December 2012. He was a steady contributor throughout the 2013 season but saved his best work for the playoffs, contributing game-winning assists in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Eastern Conference Championship. In 2014, the midfielder is tied for the team lead with five assists and won MLS Player of the Month for July. Feilhaber began his career in Germany with Hamburg’s reserve team before helping Derby County earn promotion to the English Premier League in 2007. He was a member of the U.S. 2010 FIFA World Cup squad, making three appearances in South Africa. Feilhaber played in five matches during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League. He had an assist at Real Estelí on Aug. 7 of last year and a goal at Cruz Azul on March 19.
#25 | M | Christian Duke Ht: 5-9 Wt. 155 DOB: 6/5/1991 Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas College: San Diego Acquired: 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft 1st rd. (#14) Duke joined USL Pro affiliate OKC Energy FC on March 17. He has made nine USL PRO appearances and added three assists for Jimmy Nielsen’s squad during his loan spell. The second-year professional spent most of the 2013 season on loan at Orlando City SC. He began playing for the Sporting KC Academy in June 2007 while attending Shawnee Mission South High School.
#4 | D | Kevin Ellis Ht: 5-9 Wt. 160 DOB: 6/30/1991 Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri College: Barton County Community College Acquired: Signed as Homegrown on 2/18/11 Ellis started three of Sporting KC’s first four MLS matches of 2014 before going on loan to USL Pro affiliate OKC Energy FC. He scored his first goal for the club in the first leg of the 2014 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals vs. eventual champion Cruz Azul. The right back, who became the second Homegrown Player in club history in 2011, rejoined Sporting KC on May 16 and has since made seven starts in central defense, earning MLS Team of the Week honors twice (June 9 and June 30). Ellis played in both legs of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals vs. Cruz Azul. He scored his first career goal for the club in the first leg on March 12, a 1-0 victory. #30 | GK | Andy Gruenebaum Ht: 6-1 Wt. 175 DOB: 12/30/1982 Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas College: Kentucky Last Club: Columbus Crew Acquired: Trade with Columbus Crew on 12/16/13 2014 is a homecoming for Andy Gruenebaum, as Sporting KC acquired the Overland Park native from the Columbus Crew in December. He made his club debut in the U.S. Open Cup on June 18 and earned his first MLS start of 2014 on July 12 . After Sporting KC’s 2-1 win at Toronto on July 26, he became the second goalkeeper in MLS history to secure regulation wins in each his first four starts with a new club. An eight-year veteran of the league, Gruenebaum featured 82 times for the Crew (including postseason) and was part of their 2008 team that won MLS Cup. Gruenebaum had a breakout season in 2012, becoming Columbus’ starting keeper and recording an MLS-best 124 saves en route to 13 wins and eight shutouts. Gruenebaum started all six matches for the Columbus Crew in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, notching three shutouts and posting a 4-2-0 record.
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) #40 | D | Igor Juliao Ht: 5-8 Wt. 145 DOB: 8/23/1994 Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Last Club: Fluminense FC (Brazil) Acquired: Signed on loan 4/4/2014 The19-year-old Juliao is the second youngest player in Sporting KC history to play the full 90 minutes of an MLS regular season match. He was named to Sports Illustrated’s Week 11 MLS Best XI after his second game on May 18 and has started each MLS match since then. Juliao is a member of Brazil’s Under-20 Men’s National Team and currently on loan from Fluminense FC. He joined Fluminense’s academy in 2003 and made his debut in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A as a 17-year-old in August 2012. #21 | GK | Jon Kempin Ht: 6-1 Wt. 170 DOB: 4/8/1993 Hometown: Leawood, Kansas Last Club: Sporting Kansas City Academy Acquired: Signed as Homegrown on 8/31/10 A product of the Sporting KC Academy, Kempin became the club’s first Homegrown Player in 2010 at the age of 17. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game on Aug. 4 in Portland and made his MLS debut on Aug. 10 against Vancouver, saving a penalty kick after replacing the injured Andy Gruenebaum at halftime. In a 4-1 win over Toronto FC on Aug. 16, he became the youngest goalkeeper to start an MLS match in Sporting KC history. Kempin has been an active member of the U-20 and U-23 U.S. National Team pools. He was loaned to USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC in March, registering five shutouts in 13 games played, before his return to Sporting KC on July 9. He spent most of the 2013 campaign on loan at Orlando City SC.
#94 | M | Jimmy Medranda Ht: 5-5 Wt. 150 DOB: 2/7/1994 Hometown: Mosquera, Nariño, Colombia Last Club: Deportivo Pereira (Colombia) Acquired: Signed on 2/13/2014 Sporting KC acquired Medranda in August 2013 on loan from Deportivo Pereira (Colombia). The Colombian midfielder signed permanently for the club in February, making his first MLS start on March 15. Currently on loan with USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC, Medranda joined the youth program of Deportivo Pereira at age 12 before climing the ladder to the senior team. In two seasons with the club, he made 16 appearances across all competitions and scored two goals.
#24 | M | Michael Kafari Ht: 6-1 Wt. 175 Hometown: Accra, Ghana College: New Mexico Acquired: Signed on 7/8/2014
DOB: 10/30/1991
Sporting KC acquired Kafari on July 8. He played collegiately at New Mexico before the Vancouver Whitecaps drafted the Ghana native in the third round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft (No 51 overall). After spending preseason with the Canadian club, Kafari signed with their USL PRO affiliate Charleston Battery in midMarch. He made his competitive debut for Charleston on May 28 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round. #1 | GK | Eric Kronberg Ht: 6-5 Wt. 210 DOB: 6/7/1983 Hometown: Santa Rosa, California College: California Acquired: 2006 MLS SuperDraft 4th Round (#40) The longest tenured member of the club, Kronberg is in his ninth season in Kansas City and first as a starter. The 31-yearold goalkeeper recorded four shutouts in six appearances last year, leading Sporting KC to the quarterfinals of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League. During the 2014 regular season, he leads MLS with a 0.88 goals against average among keepers with at least 400 minutes played and is tied for first with seven shutouts. He was named MLS Player of the Month for June after registering shutouts in the club’s only two games that month. Five of his 15 conceded goals this season have been penalty kicks. Kronberg started all six games for Sporting KC in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League. He posted four clean sheets in those matches to become the club’s all-time shutout leader in competitive international matches. #12 | M | Mikey Lopez Ht: 5-8 Wt. 160 DOB: 2/20/1993 Hometown: Mission, Texas College: North Carolina Acquired: 2013 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#14) Lopez was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft as a Generation adidas signing and made his Sporting KC debut on May 26, 2013 in the U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round. His MLS debut came on July 16 of this year at Columbus. Lopez joined USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC in March before switching to OKC Energy FC in June. He was recalled to Sporting KC on June 30 after making 14 USL PRO appearances with one goal and one assist. Lopez is a member of the U.S. U-20 National Team and helped the country qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) #18 | M | Victor Munoz Ht: 5-7 Wt. 165 Hometown: Madrid, Spain College: UCLA Acquired: Signed on 4/1/2014
DOB: 7/25/1990
Sporting KC acquired Munoz in April 2014. The 23-year-old was selected by D.C. United in the second round of hte 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He made his Sporting KC debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round on June 18. Munoz spent eight years in the Real Madrid academy system and was a member of Spain’s U-15, U-16 and U-17 youth national teams before moving to the U.S. in 2010 to pursue a college education. #6 | M | Paulo Nagamura Ht: 5-8 Wt. 155 DOB: 3/2/1983 Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil Last Club: Chivas USA Acquired: Trade with Chivas USA on 11/29/2011 An MLS veteran, Nagamura is in his third season with Sporting KC. The Brazilian began his career with Sao Paulo FC and Arsenal FC in England before coming to the United States to play for the LA Galaxy in 2005, winning the MLS Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in his first season. He’s also played for Toronto FC and Chivas USA in MLS, becoming an MLS AllStar in 2009 before going on loan to Tigres UANL in Mexico. Sporting KC acquired Nagamura in November 2011 and he converted penalty kicks in shootouts following the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final and 2013 MLS Cup Final. Nagamura saw action in three of Sporting KC’s matches during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, including both quarterfinal legs against Cruz Azul this March. He previously played two matches for Chivas USA in the 2008-09 edition of the tournament. #3 | D | Ike Opara Ht: 6-2 Wt. 180 DOB: 2/21/1989 Hometown: Durham, North Carolina College: Wake Forest Last Club: San Jose Earthquakes Acquired: Trade with SJ Earthquakes on 12/12/2012 The 2013 Sporting KC Newcomer of the Year appeared in a career-best 18 games with 16 starts during the club’s MLS Cupwinning campaign. Opara scored four goals in 2013 across all competitions, each of them a header, and appeared in three of Sporting KC’s five MLS Cup Playoff matches. He will miss the remainder of the 2014 season after suffering a chondral defect in his right ankle on March 29. Opara started all thee matches for the United States at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup and was invited to camp with the U.S. Olympic squad (U-23) in February 2012. Opara played in five matches during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring the game-winning goal at Real Estelí in the group stage on Aug. 7 of last year.
#7 | D | Chance Myers Ht: 6-0 Wt. 165 DOB: 12/7/1987 Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California College: UCLA Acquired: 2008 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#1) The second-longest tenured member of the squad, Myers is in his seventh season after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. In 2013, Myers started a career-high 31 MLS matches (including playoffs) and was the top-rated outside back on the MLS Castrol Index. He will miss the rest of the 2014 season after suffering a left achilles tear on May 23 vs. Toronto. Myers signed a new contract with the club in January after joining the U.S. Men’s National Team for the first time in his career as a member of Jurgen Klinsmann’s January Camp in 2014. He previously played for the U.S. U-18, U-20 and U-23 youth national teams. Myers made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in a 0-0 group stage draw against CD Olimpia on Oct. 23 of last year. #13 | M | Lawrence Olum Ht: 6-2 Wt. 185 DOB: 7/10/1984 Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya College: Missouri Baptist Last Club: Orlando City SC (USL PRO) Acquired: Signed on 9/15/2010 Olum is in his fourth season with Sporting KC, making a career-high 22 appearances in MLS competition last year. Capable of playing as a central defender or holding midfielder, he began his professional career with the Portland Timbers in 2007. He also played for the Minnesota Thunder, Austin Aztex and Orlando City SC before signing with Sporting KC in September 2011. Sporting KC is 10-1-1 in MLS this season when he starts. Olum joined the Kenya Men’s National Team in November 2012 and recently made three starts in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before the Harambee Stars’ elimination in early August. Olum started two 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League group stage matches. #2 | D | Erik Palmer-Brown Ht: 6-1 Wt. 175 DOB: 4/24/1997 Hometown: Lee’s Summit, Missouri Acquired: Signed as Homegrown on 8/2/2013
The second youngest player in MLS at age 17, PalmerBrown signed a homegrown player contract last August. He made his debut and first MLS start on May 18, becoming the youngest player in MLS history to start a match as a defender. He featured at right back in the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game on Aug. 4., helping the MLS Homegrown team secure a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers U-23s. The Lee’s Summit, Mo. native joined the Sporting KC Academy at age 13. He has represented U.S. youth national teams as the U-15, U-17, U-18 and U-20 levels, most recently competing at the Dallas Cup in April with the U-20s.
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) #37 | F | Jacob Peterson Ht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 1/27/1986 Hometown: Portage, Michigan College: Indiana Last Club: San Jose Earthquakes Acquired: Signed on 1/19/2012 An eight-year veteran of MLS, Peterson is in his third season with Sporting KC. He has showcased his versatility throughout the 2014 season, playing in defense, midfield and attack on the left side. Peterson, a two-time national champion at Indiana University with goals in the finals of the 2003 and 2004 College Cups, was selected by the Colorado Rapids in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. Following stints with Toronto FC and the San Jose Earthquakes, Peterson was signed by Sporting Kansas City in January 2012. He represented the U.S. at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. Peterson made five appearances in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring the game-tying goal against Real Estelí in the group stage on Sept. 17 of last year. He previously played six games for Toronto FC in the 2010-11 edition of the tournament, contributing a goal in the group stage. #17 | F | C.J. Sapong Ht: 6-1 Wt. 185 DOB: 12/27/1988 Hometown: Manassas, Virginia College: James Madison Acquired: 2011 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#10) Sapong was named the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year with five goals and five assists in his first professional season. He scored nine goals in 2012 and four more in 2013, including the gametying goal in last year’s Eastern Conference Championship series vs. Houston. He made his first appearance in two months on May 23 following a neck injury and scored his first goal of the 2014 campaign on July 16 at Columbus. Sporting KC has an 19-0-2 overall record (including postseason) when Sapong scores. He debuted for the U.S. National Team in January 2012. Sapong played in six games during the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, earning one start. #23 | M | Martin Steuble Ht: 5-8 Wt. 155 DOB: 6/9/1988 Hometown: Schlieren, Switzerland Last Club: FC Wil 1900 Acquired: Signed on 7/16/2014 Steuble joined Sporting KC on July 16 from Swiss club FC Wil 1900 and made his MLS and competitive club debut on Aug. 1 as a second half substitute. The 26-year-old midfielder played seven years of professional soccer in Switzerland has featured nine times for the Philippines Men’s National Team under head coach Thomas Dooley. He made his international debut on March 1 of this year and opened his international scoring account on April 11.
#22 | F | Soony Saad Ht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 8/17/1992 Hometown: Dearborn, Michigan College: Michigan Acquired: Weighted Lottery on 7/5/2011 After leading the NCAA in scoring with a school record 19 goals as a freshman at the University of Michigan, Saad was signed by Major League Soccer and allocated to Sporting KC via a lottery draft in July 2011. He scored nine minutes into his MLS debut on his 19th birthday and added four goals and four assists in 23 MLS regular season appearances last season. Saad represented the U.S. at the youth level, including appearances with the U-20 national team, but is now a member of the Lebanon Men’s National Team. Saad started three games in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring both goals in a 2-0 group stage win at CD Olimpia on Aug. 27 of last year.
#15 | D | Seth Sinovic Ht: 5-10 Wt. 170 DOB: 1/28/1987 Hometown: Leawood, Kansas College: Creighton Last Club: New England Revolution Acquired: Signed on 5/10/2011 The Leawood, Kan. native and Rockhurst High School alum was rated the No. 1 left back in MLS by Soccer America after leading Sporting KC with 3,733 minutes played in all competition and starting 41 of his 42 appearances in 2013. He scored the game-tying goal in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last year en route to Sporting KC reaching MLS Cup. Sinovic was signed by Sporting KC in May 2011 and has since contributed two goals and six assists across all competitions. He has started 22 of the club’s 24 regular season games this campaign. Sinovic started five matches in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, playing 90 minutes in each. #11 | M | Sal Zizzo Ht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 4/3/1987 Hometown: San Diego, California College: UCLA Last Club: Portland Timbers Acquired: Trade with Portland Timbers on 12/13/13 The first-year Sporting KC winger has made 14 MLS appearances with 10 starts in 2014. He recorded two assists in the team’s 3-2 win at Colorado on March 29. Acquired in December via a trade with the Portland Timbers, Zizzo spent three years in the German first division before coming back to the United States in 2010. He represented the U.S. at the U-18 and U-20 levels and starred for the U-20 National Team in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Sporting KC Game Notes | Aug. 19, 2014 vs Real Estelí | CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (Match 1) #8 | M | Graham Zusi Ht: 5-10 Wt. 160 DOB: 8/18/1986 Hometown: Longwood, Florida College: Maryland Acquired: 2009 MLS SuperDraft 2nd Round (#23) Zusi recorded a career-high six goals and a team-best 12 assists in all competition in 2013 and was the top-rated midfielder in the MLS Castrol Index. He was an MLS MVP finalist in 2012 to go along with MLS All-Star (2012, 2013, 2014), MLS Best XI (2012, 2013) and MLS Breakout Player of the Year (2011) honors. On July 19, he signed a Designated Player contract with the club through the 2018 season. Sporting KC is 15-0-2 all-time when he scores an MLS goal. Zusi was on the United States’ roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup alongside teammate Matt Besler. He appeared in all four matches for the U.S. at the tournament and contributed two assists. He has earned 27 caps with three goals and six assists in his international career. Zusi played five games in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League and contributed three assists. He set up a goal at CD Olimpia on Aug. 27, home to Real Estelí on. Sept. 17 and at Cruz Azul on March 19.