Blue Links: Open Cup Changes, Interviews, Shades of Blue

Here is some news and links for today about Sporting Kansas City.

US Open Cup Changes

US Soccer announced changes to the US Open Cup for the 2018 tournament. The big news all has to do with the money awarded to teams and travel stipends. The winning team will get $300,000 in 2018, up from $250,000 in prior years. The losing finalist will now get $100,000, up from $60,000. Lower division teams will also see a bonus as the furthest advancing team from the US lower divisions will earn $25,000, up from $15,000.

Practice Interviews

Thad Bell had a number of interviews from practice on 3/13 interviewing Felipe Gutierrez, Johnny Russell, and Peter Vermes. Gutierrez talked about his first goal for KC as well as the traveling Roaddron for the game. Bell also asked Russell about his first goal and about the offense starting to click and get into form. With Vermes, he provided an update on both Khiry Shelton and Seth Sinovic ahead of this weekend’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Shades of Blue Soccer Show

This week’s Shades of Blue Soccer Show is up as they break down the wild win over the Chicago Fire last weekend and look ahead to this week’s game against the Earthquakes.

Swope Park Rangers Jersey Tease

The Swope Park Rangers Twitter account has been posting teases of this year’s Swope Park Rangers jersey, which appears will be a white jersey with an orange Ivy Funds logo on it this year.