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Although there were only a few MLS games to work with over the weekend, the international break did actually provide some fun..
I love a good pitch invader, but I love even more when the security guards get their dream shot on one of them.
On to the links!
Sporting Kansas City
Perfect through three games has SKC on top of The West and the Supporters' Shield Standings.
ESPN FC unable to deny the solid start has KC at #1 in their Power Rankings.
On Friday night, Roger Espinoza and Soni Mustivar both went the full 90 for Hondouras and Haiti, respectively, in 2018 World Cup Qualifying. Both of them will play on Tuesday night as well.
The voting for Sporting KC Player of the Month for March is open.
- Candidates are Tim Melia, Nuno Andre Coelho, Roger Espinoza, and Dom Dwyer. I'm giving my vote to Coelho for his work in this stingy defense SKC has right now. There's a chance to win tickets if you vote!
We've got a really cool look at Erik Palmer-Brown and life with his new club FC Porto.
"For me next season I want to be with the first team and playing games. That's my goal. Contending to play every game in the Champion's League. I want to get those games. That's my dream. I want to be playing in the big games where everyone is watching." - Erik Palmer Brown
Seth Sinovic and the Victory Project hosted a charity event and here is a video with the KC kid.
ICYMI: After being extra cautious, Benny Feilhaber is back to training and should make his season debut on Saturday.
Benny Feilhaber is a full participant in practice. The expectation is he will be ready for next weekend, barring setbacks. #SportingKC
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) March 25, 2016
As for absences to be aware of, Roger Espinoza will not play on Saturday as he serves a red card suspension. Soni Mustivar and Graham Zusi both play on Tuesday with national teams, so their status for Saturday will be questionable. Justin Mapp is still listed as out. Nagamura on the injury report but working his way back. Ike Opara does not look like he will be ready in time. Matt Besler suffered a concussion training with the USMNT and is probably a no go this week.
Stepped off ✈️ in Columbus & ran into Matt Besler, who is still feeling affects of concussion suffered Thursday. Here's to a full recovery
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) March 27, 2016
Check out Justin Mapp and his beautiful family with the new addition, Jackson.
Jackson Sanders Mapp
— Justin Mapp (@jmapp21) March 27, 2016
Born March 24th 2016#ProudMomandDad @Kat_Hilario ❤️ pic.twitter.com/syqG2wHbDj
SportingKC.com is looking back at the 20 year history of the club with all sorts of cool features. The latest story is The South Stand SC: Growing from the ground up.
Your dose of Dom and Sydney
Swope Park Rangers
The inaugural match at CMP was about as good as Marc Dos Santos could have asked for with the Rangers defeating Portland Timbers 2 by a final score of 2-1. Goals came from Kevin Oliveira at the penalty spot, and then this fantastic goal from SKC loan Daniel Salloi.
Skycam on Saturday was Check out @danielsalloi's goal from an all-new vantage point pic.twitter.com/8mICCxvanr
— Swope Park Rangers (@SwopeRangers) March 28, 2016
That skycam is going to provide some awesome shots this year. The gif above is great, but YOU HAVE TO WATCH Salloi start this play at midfield. He plays a perfect through ball and then sprints to get into position at the top of the box before slotting it home. Full highlights.
All your post game quotes can be found right here. Team's recap here.
SPR comes in at #4 in the USL Power Rankings after the first week of play.
There is so much to like about this team, you guys. Great to watch all the SKC loans, but guys like Kevin Oliveira, Dane Kelly, and Kris Tyrpak are really fun to watch as well.
US Men's National Team
Jurgen Klinsmann does not have too many fans at the moment. If you were wondering why he played Yedlin and Cameron out of position... well... he says he's "not playing anyone out of position.".
Michael Bradley warns that the US does not have a divine right to play in the World Cup, and they must earn it.
Without a win on Tuesday night, Jurgen could FINALLY be on the hot seat. Stars and Stripes FC took a look at 7 Managers who could replace him.
- The author does not like the Vermes idea. He uses Zusi's DP status as reason to question his judgment. The other names on the list are Jesse Marsch, Oscar Pareja, Caleb Porter, Gregg Berhalter, Dominic Kinnear, and Steve Cherundolo.
Graham Zusi and 19 year old Christian Pulisic have been called up for Tuesday's match with Guatemala in Columbus.
Pulisic is with Borussia Dortmund and actually seen first team minutes this season. I say put the kid in! Here's why Jurgen Klinsmann’s craziest option on Tuesday could also be his best.
Columbus American Outllaws have always been a good home for the USMNT. Columbus Crew SC fans to lead USMNT support into battle on Tuesday.
Around Major League Soccer
With the international break there were only 3 matches this past weekend.
- Vancouver beat Houston 1-0
- NYCFC drew New England 1-1
- FC Dallas thrashed DC United 3-0
Here is the Instant Replay with more red cards and more controversy...
DC United have signed Andrea Mancini, son of Roberto Mancini, after a successful trial.
Ronaldinho has been without a team since playing 9 games for Fluminense. His agent is saying that MLS or China is where the Brazilian is headed next.
- Fluminense eh? Might we finally see the deal Sporting KC made with them come to fruition? Is Ronaldinho on his way to KC? No...... he is definitely not. China looks likely right now.
The MLS Team of the Week is out.
No SKC players nominated for MLS Player of the Month.
Sporting KC vs Real Salt Lake at Children's Mercy Park kicks off Saturday at 7:30p. You have to love a good SKCvRSL matchup! Another positive is that it gives me the chance to relive this moment. ALL. WEEK. LONG.
