Blue Links: FC Kansas City, Russell, Croizet, Power Rankings

Lots of news. Let’s get right to it.

Kansas City

(MLS Soccer) The Power Rankings are out, and not that we care about those sort of things, but Sporting Kansas City have clawed their way up to third. Still only one loss to New York City FC (second) and that was way back on opening day. ESPN has Sporting KC at second.

(Sporting KC) Johnny Russell, on the back of his hat trick and earned penalty kick, is the MLS Player of the Week. Russell now draws level with Felipe Gutierrez

(The Blue Testament) I tried something new yesterday and retold #SKCvVAN in pictures. So if you hate reading, go look at that. (If you hate reading, you probably aren’t even seeing this).

(Sporting KC) Gianluca Busio helped the US U-17’s win the Sportchain Cup last week (four games in six days). The United States were undefeated.

(ESPN) This probably belongs in Across State Lines but former SKC players Sunil Chhetri and Toni Dovale won the Super Cup in India.

(The Equalizer) Former FC Kansas City players look back on their debut game in KC versus the massive sellout the Utah Royals pulled off for their first game in Salt Lake City. I somewhat loathe RSL, but I’ll still be pulling for these ladies.

(FIFA IRL) Gianluca Busio and Daniel Salloi face off in a real life FIFA challenge.

(Goal of the Week) Jimmy Medranda needs your help. You can vote until Midnight PST Wednesday. Go help Jimmy!

(Sporting KC) Kharlton Belmar made the USL Team of the Week (again). He leads the league with seven goals. Next closest guy only has five. Someone should give this man some minutes.

(Tactics Platform) A deep breakdown of #SKCvVAN with photos and videos.

(American Soccer Analysis) This is late, but ASN has a good breakdown of Khiry Shelton’s failure to score against the Seattle Sounders last week.

(Boxscore) Dane Kelly, formerly of the Swope Park Rangers, gets a write-up on his MLS debut with D.C. United (that ironically came against Sporting KC).

(MLS Soccer) Dave Gantar will officiate Saturday’s game between SKC and the New England Revolution.

Podcasts

(Shades of Blue) Thad, Bob, Aly and Cody talk about the win, play show and tell (perfect for a pod) and just generally get silly.

(810 WHB) The Sporting KC Show has on special guest Yohan Croizet.

(Talkin’ Touches) The boys talk about the beating that Sporting KC gave to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

(No Other Pod) These tend to come out after I’ve written this, but it’s worth a listen.

Around the World

(NYCFC) New York City FC have a new training facility. And while it’s no Pinnacle, it does look pretty nice.

(MLS Soccer) Minnesota United’s Ethan Finley likely has a torn ACL ending his season.

(Soccer America) Less than one third of the starters this past weekend are eligible to play for the US National Team.

(Nipun Chopra) The USL may be looking to rebrand DII and DIII. This is the same source that knew why the Swope Park Rangers had their last home game postponed.