Game Guide: Sporting KC vs. Real Esteli

SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs ReAl eSTelí Sporting Park (Kansas City, Kansas)

Tuesday, Sept. 23 (7 p.m. CT)CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage

English TV: Fox Sports 1Spanish TV: Univision Deportes

No. Pos. Name Pronunciation 1 GK Eric Kronberg krawn-berg 2 DEF Erik Palmer-Brown 3 DEF Ike Opara* oh-PAR-ah 4 DEF Kevin Ellis 5 DEF Matt Besler BEEZ-ler 6 MID Paulo Nagamura POW-lo na-ga-MOO-ra 7 DEF Chance Myers* 8 MID Graham Zusi ZOO-see 9 MID Antonio Dovale doh-VAH-lay 10 MID Benny Feilhaber FAIL-hob-ber 11 FWD Sal Zizzo ZEE-zoh 12 MID Mikey Lopez 13 DEF Lawrence Olum OH-lumm 14 FWD Dom Dwyer 15 DEF Seth Sinovic sin-OH-vick 16 FWD Claudio Bieler bee-AY-lurr 17 FWD C.J. Sapong sah-PONG 18 MID Victor Munoz 20 MID Jorge Claros hor-hay 21 GK Jon Kempin 22 FWD Soony Saad SOO-nee sod 23 MID Martin Steuble STOY-bleh 24 MID Michael Kafari 25 MID Christian Duke 30 GK Andy Gruenebaum GREEN-uh-BOHM 37 FWD Jacob Peterson 40 DEF Igor Juliao ZHOO-lee-ow 78 DEF Aurelien Collin au-REEL-ee-en 94 MID Jimmy Medranda muh-DRAHN-dah

* Disabled list

SPORTING KANSAS CITY ROSTeR

SPORTING KANSAS CITY IN INTeRNATIONAl COmPeTITIONOverall: 8-9-8 Versus clubs from...Home: 4-3-6 USA: 0-0-1 TRI: 2-0-0 HON: 1-0-1 ECU: 1-0-1Away: 4-6-2 MEX: 2-6-2 PER: 0-2-0 CRC: 1-1-1 NCA: 1-0-2By Tournament Other stats of note:CCL: 7-4-5 Goals for: 30 Home GF: 13 Away GF: 17Superliga: 0-1-2 Goals against: 35 Home GA: 10 Away GA: 25

Merconorte: 1-4-1 Shutouts: 9 Home SO: 6 Away SO: 3

GAme NOTeS WWW.SPORTINGKC.COm/meDIA-GUIDe

SPORTING KC All-TIme INTeRNATIONAl mATCheS

GOALS PLAYER GP G 1. Chris Brown 11 4 2. Roy Lassiter 8 3 2. Antonio Dovale 2 3 4. Soony Saad 4 2 4. Dom Dwyer 8 2 4. Onandi Lowe 3 2 7. Jose Burciaga 5 1 7. Dario Fabbro 2 1 7. Carey Talley 4 1 7. Gary Glasgow 9 1 7. Mike Burns 11 1 7. Preki 5 1 7. Francisco Gomez 12 1 7. Matt McKeon 12 1 7. Ike Opara 3 1 7. Jacob Peterson 5 1 7. Kevin Ellis 3 1 7. Benny Feilhaber 7 1

2001 Copa Merconorte08/01/2001 L 2-1 vs Sporting Cristal (PER) Group Stage08/08/2001 L 4-2 at Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage08/29/2001 W 3-2 at Barcelona SC (ECU) Group Stage09/12/2001 L 2-1 at Sporting Cristal (PER) Group Stage10/17/2001 T 1-1 vs Barcelona SC (ECU) Group Stage11/21/2001 L 1-0 vs Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage2002 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup03/03/2002 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’ Cup03/09/2005 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 Superliga06/21/2009 T 0-0 vs Atlas AC (MEX) Group Stage06/24/2009 T 1-1 at NE Revolution (USA) Group Stage06/28/2009 L 3-1 vs Santos Laguna (MEX) Group Stage2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League08/07/2013 W 2-0 at Real Estelí (NCA) Group Stage08/27/2013 W 2-0 at CD Olimpia (HON) Group Stage09/17/2013 T 1-1 vs Real Estelí (NCA) Group Stage10/23/2013 T 0-0 vs CD Olimpia (HON) Group Stage03/12/2014 W 1-0 vs Cruz Azul (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 1)03/19/2014 L 5-1 at Cruz Azul (MEX) Quarterfinals (Leg 2)2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League08/19/2014 T 1-1 at Real Estelí (NCA) Group Stage09/18/2014 W 3-1 vs Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) Group Stage

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 8. Matt Besler 9

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 6. Matt Besler 9 9. Peter Vermes 8 10. Francisco Gomez 7 10. Seth Sinovic 7 10. Graham Zusi 7

GOALS AGAINST PLAYER GP GA 1. Tony Meola 10 15 2. Bo Oshoniyi 4 8 3. Eric Kronberg 6 6 4. Kevin Hartman 3 4 5. Jon Kempin 1 1 5. Andy Gruenebaum 1 1

SHUTOUTS PLAYER GP SO 1. Eric Kronberg 6 4 2. Tony Meola 10 3 3. Kevin Hartman 3 1 3. Bo Oshoniyi 4 1

FIRST LAST GP GSStephen Armstrong 4 3Davy Arnaud 6 4Matt Besler 9 9Claudio Bieler 5 4Chris Brown 11 9Chris Brunt 2 0Teal Bunbury 2 1Jose Burciaga 5 4Mike Burns 11 11Jorge Claros 2 2Aurelien Collin 5 5Jimmy Conrad 4 4Antonio Dovale 2 2Dom Dwyer 8 4Kevin Ellis 3 3Roger Espinoza 2 1Dario Fabbro 2 2Benny Feilhaber 7 6Nick Garcia 12 12Josh Gardner 3 2Gary Glasgow 9 5Francisco Gomez 12 7Herculez Gomez 3 2Michael Green 1 1Andrew Gregor 5 4Andy Gruenebaum 1 1Diego Gutierrez 6 6Michael Harrington 3 1Kevin Hartman 3 3Santiago Hirsig 3 3Aaron Hohlbein 3 3Tahj Jakins 2 2Mechack Jerome 3 2Jack Jewsbury 5 3Mo Johnston 2 1Peterson Joseph 3 1Igor Juliao 1 1Jon Kempin 1 1

FIRST LAST GP GSChris Klein 9 9Michael Kraus 2 0Eric Kronberg 6 6Roy Lassiter 8 4Jonathan Leathers 2 1Claudio Lopez 3 2Onandi Lowe 3 3Rauwshan McKenzie 2 1Matt McKeon 12 11Tony Meola 10 10Kurt Morsink 1 0Chance Myers 1 1Paulo Nagamura 4 4Lawrence Olum 4 3Ike Opara 5 5Bo Oshoniyi 4 4Jacob Peterson 5 3 Preki 5 4Brandon Prideaux 3 1Eric Quill 4 4Oriol Rosell 6 6Soony Saad 4 4Mark Santel 4 2C.J. Sapong 8 2Igor Simutenkov 1 1Seth Sinovic 7 7Khari Stephenson 2 1Carey Talley 4 3Abe Thompson 2 1Peter Vermes 9 8Sasha Victorine 2 2Diego Walsh 2 0Lance Watson 2 2Josh Wolff 5 5Kerry Zavagnin 14 13Sal Zizzo 2 1Alex Zotinca 2 1Graham Zusi 7 7

SPORTING KC All-TIme INTl. GAmeS PlAYeD/STARTeD

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 Carib-bean, 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

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)

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 Rica1994: 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)

Group 11. Pachuca (2-0-0, +7) 6 pts2. Municipal (1-1-1, -1) 4 pts3. Real Espana (0-2-1, -6) 1 pt

Group 21. Sporting KC (1-0-1, +2) 4 pts2. Deportivo Saprissa (1-1-1, +1), 4 pts3. Real Estelí (0-1-2, -3) 2 pts

Group 31. Montreal Impact (3-0-0, +3) 9 pts2. NY Red Bulls (1-1-0, +1) 3 pts3. CD FAS (0-3-0, -4) 0 pts

Group 41. D.C. United (2-0-0, +2) 6 pts2. Waterhouse FC (2-2-0, +2) 6 pts3. Tauro (0-2-0, -4) 0 pts

Group 51. Portland Timbers (2-0-0, +5) 6 pts2. Olimpia (2-1-0, +5) 6 pts3. Alpha United (0-3-0, -10) 0 pts

Group 61. Cruz Azul (1-1-1, +2) 4 pts2. Alajuelense (1-0-1, +1) 4 pts3. Chorrillo (1-2-0, -3) 3 pts

Group 71. CS Herediano (2-0-1, +6) 7 pts2. Leon (1-0-1, +2) 4 pts3. Isidro Metapan (0-3-0, -8) 0 pts

Group 81. America (2-0-1, +14) 7 pts2. Comunicaciones (1-0-1, +5) 4 pts3. Bayamon FC (0-3-0, -19) 0 pts

Aug. 6 Real Estelí 1, Saprissa 1 EST: Valiente 10 -- SAP: Rodríguez 65Aug. 19 Real Estelí 1, Sporting KC 1 EST: Claros OG 6 -- SKC: Dovale 16Aug. 26 Saprissa 3, Real Estelí 0 SAP: Rodríguez 18, 74, 89Sept. 18 Sporting KC 3, Saprissa 1 SKC: Dwyer 13, Dovale 69, 76 -- SAP: Bustos 28Sept. 23 Sporting KC v Real Estelí Oct. 23 Saprissa v Sporting KC

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: CartaginesEl Salvador: 3 champions 1: Alianza, Aguila, FASSuriname: 2 champions 2: TransvaalGuatemala: 2 champions 1: Municipal, ComunicacionesHonduras: 2 champions 2: OlimpiaTrinidad & Tobago: 2 champions 2: Defence ForceUnited States: 2 champions 1: D.C. United, LA GalaxyHaiti: 2 champions 1: Haitien, Violette

The best finish, by country, since the start of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008-09:

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)

2008/09: MLS: 2-10-6 Costa Rica: 3-3-2 Nicaragua: 0-1-12009/10 MLS: 7-10-9 Costa Rica: 2-5-3 Nicaragua: 0-0-02010/11 MLS: 16-14-8 Costa Rica: 6-4-2 Nicaragua: 0-0-02011/12 MLS: 21-16-7 Costa Rica: 7-6-1 Nicaragua: 0-2-02012/13 MLS: 16-8-6 Costa Rica: 5-2-3 Nicaragua: 0-3-12013/14 MLS: 13-9-5 Costa Rica: 7-7-2 Nicaragua: 0-3-12014/15 MLS: 9-1-1 Costa Rica: 4-1-3 Nicaragua: 0-1-2

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 LeagueAFC: 2015 Champions LeagueCAF: 2015 Champions LeagueOFC: 2014/15 Champions LeagueHOST: League champion

Previous FCWC Champions2000: 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)

Each of the eight group winners advance to the 2014-15 CCL quarterfinals, which begin in early 2015. All games in the Championship Stage are home and away series decided by aggregate goals scored over the two legs.

Sporting KC Game Notes | Sept. 23, 2014 vs Real estelí | CONCACAF Champions league Group Stage

2014-15 CCl GROUP STAGe STANDINGS (as of Sept. 23)

2014-15 CCl GROUP 2 SCheDUle

CONCACAF ChAmPIONS leAGUe PRImeR

BY COUNTRY (All-TIme) BY COUNTRY (CCl eRA) YeAR-BY-YeAR (CCl eRA) FIFA ClUB WORlD CUP

CONCACAF ClUB ChAmPIONS: 1962-2013

NO NAME POS DOB NATIONALITY 1 Dany Carvajal GK 08/01/1989 Costa Rica2 Jordan Smith DEF 23/04/1991 Costa Rica5 Rafael Morales DEF 06/04/1988 Panama7 David Ramirez FWD 28/05/1993 Costa Rica9 Hansell Aruaz FWD 09/08/1989 Costa Rica11 Marvin Anguilo MF 30/09/1986 Costa Rica13 Adolfo Machado DEF 14/02/1985 Costa Rica14 Ariel Rodriguez FWD 27/09/1989 Costa Rica15 Deyver Vega FWD 19/09/1992 Costa Rica16 Gabriel Badilla DEF 30/06/1984 Costa Rica 18 Kevin Briceño GK 21/10/1991 Costa Rica19 Keylor Soto DEF 26/07/1984 Costa Rica20 David Guzman MF 18/02/1990 Costa Rica21 Diego Estrada MF 25/05/1989 Costa Rica22 Donny Grant GK 12/04/1976 Costa Rica23 Juan Bustos MF 09/07/1992 Costa Rica25 Manfred Russell MF 23/09/1993 Costa Rica26 Daniel Colindres FWD 10/01/1985 Costa Rica27 Heiner Mora DEF 20/06/1984 Costa Rica29 Michael Barquero DEF 10/02/1991 Costa Rica31 Gualberto Montenegro DEF 02/02/1991 Costa Rica33 Carlos Saucedo FWD 11/09/1979 Bolivia Alexander Robinson DEF 21/11/1988 Costa Rica

NO NAME POS DOB NATIONALITY 1 Eric Kronberg GK 07/06/1983 USA2 Erik Palmer-Brown DEF 24/04/1997 USA4 Kevin Ellis DEF 30/06/1991 USA5 Matt Besler DEF 11/02/1987 USA6 Paulo Nagamura MF 02/03/1983 Brazil8 Graham Zusi MF 18/08/1986 USA9 Toni Dovale MF 04/04/1990 Spain10 Benny Feilhaber MF 19/01/1985 USA11 Sal Zizzo FWD 04/03/1997 USA12 Mikey Lopez MF 20/02/1993 USA13 Lawrence Olum MF 10/07/1984 Kenya14 Dom Dwyer FWD 30/07/1990 Great Britain15 Seth Sinovic DEF 28/01/1987 USA16 Claudio Bieler FWD 01/03/1984 Argentina17 C.J. Sapong FWD 27/12/1988 USA21 Jon Kempin GK 08/04/1993 USA22 Soony Saad FWD 17/08/1992 USA30 Andy Gruenebaum GK 30/12/1982 USA37 Jake Peterson FWD 27/01/1986 USA40 Igor Juliao DEF 23/08/1994 Brazil78 Aurelien Collin DEF 08/03/1986 France

NO NAME POS DOB NATIONALITY 1 Justo Lorente GK 27/02/1984 Nicaragua2 Alan Kardek DEF 22/02/1980 Brazil3 Eduardo Praes DEF 03/11/1986 Brazil6 Cristian Gutierrez DEF 06/01/1993 Nicaragua7 Manuel Rosas MF 08/10/1983 Nicaragua8 Camilo Ramirez DEF 01/02/1986 Colombia9 Carlos Chavarría FWD 02/05/1994 Nicaragua10 Samuel Wilson FWD 09/04/1983 Nicaragua11 Rudel Calero FWD 20/12/1982 Nicaragua12 Elmer Mejia MF 23/06/1978 Nicaragua13 Francisco Paz DEF 07/08/1986 Nicaragua14 Alexis Sommarriba FWD 11/05/1994 Nicaragua15 Franklin Lopez MF 16/08/1982 Nicaragua16 Elvis Figueroa MF 18/12/1988 Nicaragua17 Felix Eliud Zeledon DEF 24/11/1983 Nicaragua19 Daniel Da Silva MF 30/11/1990 Brazil20 Juan Barrera FWD 02/05/1989 Nicaragua21 Felix Rodriguez MF 27/04/1984 Nicaragua23 Nahun Peralta MF 21/10/1994 Nicaragua24 Norfrank Lazo FWD 08/09/1990 Nicaragua27 Rodrigo Valeinet MF 20/07/1989 Uruguay29 Roger Sanchez GK 12/06/1992 Nicaragua

DePORTIVO SAPRISSA CCl ROSTeR (as of Sept. 21)

SPORTING KANSAS CITY CCl ROSTeR (As of Sept. 21)

ReAl eSTelí CCl ROSTeR (As of Sept. 21)


Deportivo Saprissa is making its fourth appearance in the CONCACAF Cham-pions League after capturing the 2014 Clausura title by beating fellow CCL participant 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 home record: 8-2-2; 23 GF, 11 GA• All-time CCL away record: 3-7-3; 11 GF, 21 GA• All-time CCL group stage record: 8-8-5; 29 GF, 27 GA• Saprissa has conceded at least one goal in their last 12 CCL away games• Last 5 in CCL: L(a), W(h), D(a), W(h), L(a)• All-time CCL leading scorers: Jairo Arrieta (5 goals); Armando Alonso, Ariel

Rodriguez (4 goals each)

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, 12 of its 15 games all-time have been decided by one goal or less. Otoniel Olivas manages the club and previously coached the squad from 2002-09. He also coached the Nicaragua National Team from 2009-10, leading them to their first ever appearance at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009.

Fast Facts...• All-time CCL home record: 0-4-4; 4 GF, 9 GA• All-time CCL away record: 0-6-1; 2 GF, 13 GA• All-time CCL group stage record: 0-7-4; 4 GF, 16 GA• Real Estelí has never scored more than one goal in a CCL match• Real Estelí has conceded one goal or fewer in seven of its last nine CCL

matches• Last 5 in CCL: L(a), D(h), D(h), L(a), D(a)• All-time CCL scorers: Rudel Calero (2 goals); Manuel Rosas, Juan Barrera,

Rodrigo Valiente (1 goal each)

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, as well as former U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber. Forward

Dom Dwyer leads the team in scoring during the 2014 MLS campaign with 19 goals, the most for a single season in Kansas City history. 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 is the only MLS team from the 2013-14 CCL to return to the

2014-15 edition of the tournament• Sporting KC faces Real Estelí for the fourth time in the past year, having

played them twice in the 2013-14 group stage and again on Aug. 19 to open the 2014-15 group stage. Sporting KC is 1-0-2 in those matches with a 2-0 win last August and two 1-1 draws since then.


925 34 32

8 4 11 8

Real Estelí is off to a perfect start in the Nicaraguan Primera Division’s 2014 Apertura season, notching four wins in as many matches. The club is in first place despite holding games in hand on every other team in the league. 2014 Nicaraguan Primera Division Apertura Standings (as of Sept. 23)

1. Real Estelí 12 pts 4-0-0 11 GF, 3 GA2. Walter Ferreti 11 pts 3-0-2 9 GF, 1 GA3. Deportivo Ocotal 11 pts 3-1-2 12 GF, 8 GA4. Jalapa 10 pts 3-2-1 9 GF, 8 GA5. Managua 9 pts 3-2-0 9 GF, 8 GA6. Diriangen 9 pts 3-3-0 6 GF, 7 GA7. Juve Managua 8 pts 2-2-2 10 GF, 9 GA8. UNAN Managua 7 pts 2-3-1 4 GF, 6 GA9. Real Madriz 3 pts 1-5-0 7 GF, 14 GA10. FOX Villa 0 pts 0-6-0 5 GF, 18 GA

Thirty-one-year-old veteran Rudel Calero is tied atop the league’s scoring chart with four goals, while Samuel Wilson is tied for fourth with three goals. Gunning for their eighth consecutive Primera Division title, Real Estelí returned to league play on Sept. 17 after a month-long break, defeating FOX Villa 2-1.• 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. 10 W 2-0 at Real Madriz (Calero 76, Chavarria 90)• Sept. 17 W 2-1 at FOX Villa (da Silva 38, Kardek 90)

Several teams in the Nicaraguan league took a one-month hiatus from mid-August to mid-September, during which time the 2014 Copa Centroamericana was contested in the United States. Nicaragua was eliminated in the group stage after losses to Panama and eventual champion Costa Rica. Five Real Estelí featured for Nicaragua in the tournament: goalkeeper Justo Lorente, defender Manuel Rosas, midfielders Elmer Mejia and Elvis Figueroa, and forward Juan Barrera.

Real Estelí is seeking the club’s first win in CONCACAF competition during the 2014-15 Champions League. The team is 0-30-8 in CONCACAF matches since 1991 and is 0-15-5 in CCL matches:

8/27/08: L 1-0 at Montreal Impact 2008-09 Preliminary Round9/02/08: T 0-0 vs Montreal Impact 2008-09 Preliminary Round

7/27/11: L 2-1 at Toronto FC 2011-12 Preliminary Round8/02/11: L 2-1 vs Toronto FC 2011-12 Preliminary Round

8/01/12: L 4-0 at UANL 2012-13 Group Stage8/28/12: L 1-0 vs Alajuelense 2012-13 Group Stage9/18/12: T 1-1 vs UANL 2012-13 Group Stage9/26/12: L 1-0 at Alajuelense 2012-13 Group Stage

8/07/13: L 2-0 vs Sporting Kansas City 2013-14 Group Stage8/21/13: L 1-0 vs CD Olimpia 2013-14 Group Stage9/17/13: T 1-1 at Sporting Kansas City 2013-14 Group Stage9/24/13: L 1-0 at CD Olimpia 2013-14 Group Stage

8/06/14: T 1-1 vs Deportivo Saprissa 2014-15 Group Stage8/19/14: T 1-1 vs Sporting Kansas City 2014-15 Group Stage8/26/14: L 3-0 at Deportivo Saprissa 2014-15 Group Stage

Tuesday’s match will be televised live nationally at 7 p.m. CT on FOX Sports 1 and Univision Deportes. The game will also be streamed live online via FOX Soccer 2Go.

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

Real estelí 1, Deportivo Saprissa 0Aug. 6, 2014 | Estadio Independencia | Estelí, Nicaragua

Real estelí: Justo Lorente; Felix Zeledon, Eduardo Praes, Alan Kardek, Manuel Rosas (Félix Rodríguez 76); Elmer Mejía, Franklin López, Rodrigo Valiente Baraybar; Samuel Wilson, Norfran Lazo Morales (Carlos Chavarría 46), Juan Barrera (Jefinho 24)

Deportivo Saprissa: Danny Carvajal; Jordan Smith,Keylor Soto, Adolfo Machado, Rafael Morales de León; David Guzmán, Juan Bustos (Diego Estrada 66), Manfred Russell; Hansell Arauz (Daniel Colindres 77), David Ramirez Ruiz, Carlos Saucedo (Ariel Rodríguez 62)

misconduct Summary:SAP: David Guzmán (caution) 21EST: Franklin Lopez (caution) 36SAP: Jordan Smith (caution) 84

Scoring Summary:EST: Rodrigo Valiente Baraybar 10SAP: Ariel Rodriguez 65

Deportivo Saprissa 3, Real estelí 0Aug. 26, 2014 | Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá | San Jose, Costa Rica

Real estelí: Justo Lorente; Rodrigo Valiente, Eduardo Praes, Alan Kardek, Manuel Rosas; Felix Rodriguez, Jefinho (Camilo Ramirez 76), Elmer Mejia; Juan Barrera (Nahun Peralta 86), Rudel Calero (Carlos Chavarria 60), Sameul Wilson

Deportivo Saprissa: Danny Carvajal; Jordan Smith, Rafael Morales de León, Adolfo Machado, Keilor Soto; David Guzmán, Diego Estrada (Manfred Russell 67), Juan Bustos (Marvin Angulo 72); David Ramirez Ruiz (Hanzell Arauz 60), Ariel Rodríguez, Daniel Colindres

misconduct Summary:EST: Alan Kardek (caution) 23SAP: Daniel Colindres (caution) 23SAP: Juan Bustos(caution) 49EST: Rodrigo Valiente (Caution) 78

Scoring Summary:SAP: Ariel Rodriguez 18SAP: Ariel Rodriguez 74SAP: Ariel Rodriguez 89


ReAl eSTelí IN The 2014 APeRTURABROADCAST INFORmATION

ReAl eSTelí IN The CONCACAF ChAmPIONS leAGUe

ReAl eSTelí 2014-15 CCl BOX SCOReS

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.

Sporting KC assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin has either played (14) or served on the technical staff (11) 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.

ZAVAGNIN CONTINUeS INTeRNATIONAl STReAK

SPORTING KC IN 2014 mAJOR leAGUe SOCCeR 2014 mlS STANDINGS (as of Sept. 23)

FOUR ON SPORTING KC WITh PAST CCl eXPeRIeNCe

The 2013 MLS Cup champions are currently second in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference with 45 points from 29 games (13-10-6). Peter Vermes’ men enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten streak from June 6 to Aug. 1 to take a lead in the MLS Supporters’ Shield race, but four straight losses from Aug. 23 to Sept. 6 saw the club relinquish their top spot in the League and in the East. A 4-0 win at Chivas USA on Sept. 12 snapped the four-game slide and saw Dom Dwyer score his 19th goal of the year to set a new single-season club record. 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 has five League matches and two CCL contests remaining before the MLS Playoffs begin in November.

EASTERN CONFERENCE1. D.C. United 48 pts (14-9-6)2. Sporting KC 45 pts (13-10-6)3. NE Revolution 42 pts (13-13-3)4. NY Red Bulls 41 pts (10-8-11)5. Columbus Crew 40 pts (10-9-10)6. Phila. Union 38 pts (9-9-11)7. Toronto FC 37 pts (10-11-7)8. Houston Dynamo 33 pts (9-13-6)9. Chicago Fire 31 pts (5-7-16)10. Montreal Impact 24 pts (6-17-6)

WESTERN CONFERENCE1. Seattle Sounders 54 pts (17-8-3)2. LA Galaxy 54 pts (15-5-9)3. Real Salt Lake 49 pts (13-6-10)4. FC Dallas 45 pts (13-10-6)5. Portland Timbers 39 pts (9-8-12)6. Van. Whitecaps 37 pts (8-8-13)7. Colorado Rapids 31 pts (8-14-7)8. SJ Earthquakes 28 pts (6-12-10)9. Chivas USA 24 pts (6-17-6)*top five teams in each conference advance to MLS Playoffs

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Sporting KC 1, Real estelí 1CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (1 of 4)

Aug. 19, 2014 | Estadio Independencia | Estelí, NicaraguaWeather: 72 degrees and partly cloudy

Attendance: 3,753

Score 1 2 FSporting KC (0-0-1, 1 pt) 1 0 1Real Estelí (0-0-2, 2 pts) 1 0 1

Sporting Kansas City: Jon Kempin; Kevin Ellis, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler (C), Seth Sinovic; Lawrence Olum, Jorge Claros, Graham Zusi (Benny Feilhaber 67); Toni Dovale (Sal Zizzo 57), C.J. Sapong, Soony Saad (Dom Dwyer 73)

Subs not used: Tim Melia, Igor Juliao, Mikey Lopez, Martin Steuble

Real Estelí FC: Justo Lorente; Felix Rodriguez, Eduardo Praes, Alan Kardek, Manuel Rosas; Samuel Wilson (Elvis Figueroa 73), Elmer Mejia, Rodrigo Va-liente Baraybar (Jefferson de Almeida 70); Daniel Da Silva, Rudel Calero

Stats SKC RESShots (on goal) 5 (1) 11 (3)Saves 3 0Fouls 19 20Offsides 1 4Corner Kicks 5 2

Misconduct Summary:RES -- Daniel Da Silva (caution; reckless foul) 21SKC -- Aurelien Collin (caution; reckless tackle) 32SKC -- Graham Zusi (caution, reckless foul) 53

Scoring Summary:RES -- Jorge Claros (own goal) 6SKC -- Antonio Dovale (unassisted) 16

Sporting KC 3, Deportivo Saprissa 1CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage (2 of 4) Sept. 18, 2014 | Sporting Park | Kansas City, Kansas

Weather: 67 degrees and cloudyAttendance: 16,834

Score 1 2 FSporting KC (1-0-1, 4 pts) 1 2 3Deportivo Saprissa (1-1-1, 4 pts) 1 0 1

Sporting Kansas City: Andy Gruenebaum; Igor Juliao, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler (C), Seth Sinovic; Jorge Claros, Paulo Nagamura (Lawrence Olum 92+), Benny Feilhaber; Antonio Dovale, Dom Dwyer (Claudio Bieler 80), Graham Zusi (C.J. Sapong 83)

Subs not used: Jon Kempin, Mikey Lopez, Soony Saad, Sal Zizzo

Deportivo Saprissa: Dany Alvarez; Jordan Smith, Adolfo Machado, Gabriel Badilla (C), Rafael Morales, Keylor Soto (Diego Estrada 83), Manfred Russell, Juan Bustos (Marvin Angulo 70), Daniel Colindres, Ariel Rodriguez, Hansell Arauz (David Ramirez 74)

Subs Not Used: Alexander Robinson, Kevin Briceno, Heiner Mora, Carlos Saucedo

Stats SKC SAPShots (on goal) 17 (10) 7 (2)Saves 1 7Fouls 11 12Offsides 2 1Corner Kicks 6 7

Misconduct Summary:SAP -- Dany Alvarez (caution; reckless foul) 13SAP -- Rafael Morales (caution; reckless tackle) 30SKC -- Seth Sinovic (caution; reckless foul) 40SAP -- Jordan Smith (caution; tactical foul) 50SAP -- Gabriel Badilla (caution; reckless foul) 79

Scoring Summary:SKC -- Dom Dwyer (penalty kick) 14SAP -- Juan Bustos (Daniel Colindres) 28SKC -- Antonio Dovale (Igor Juliao) 69SKC -- Antonio Dovale (Benny Feilhaber) 76


BOX SCOReS: SPORTING KC IN 2014-15 CONCACAF ChAmPIONS leAGUe


mINI BIOSCOAChING STAFF

PlAYeRS

Peter Vermes Manager

Kerry Zavagnin Assistant Coach

Zoran Savic Assistant Coach

John Pascarella Assistant Coach

mateus manoel Fitness Coach

#5 | D | matt Beslerht: 6-0 Wt. 170 DOB: 2/11/1987hometown: Overland Park, KansasCollege: Notre DameAcquired: 2009 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#8)last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 2018. 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 has started six CONCACAF Champions league matches in his career, including both 2013-14 quarterfinal legs against Cruz Azul this March.

#16 | F | Claudio Bielerht: 5-11 Wt. 170 DOB: 3/1/1984hometown: Vera, Santa Fe, Argentinalast Club: LDU Quito (Ecuador)Acquired: Signed as Designated Player on 12/18/2012last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 12 MLS appearances during the 2014 season with two goals. Bieler has played five games in the CONCACAF Champions League over the last two seasons, registering an assist as Sporting KC beat Cruz Azul 1-0 win in the 2013-14 quarterfinals this March.

#20 | m | Jorge Clarosht: 5-9 Wt. 155 DOB: 1/8/1986hometown: La Ceiba, Honduraslast Club: CD MotaguaAcquired: Signed on 7/16/2014last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

After signing for Sporting KC on July 16, Claros made his MLS and competitive club debut on Aug. 1 against the Philadelphia Union. He has made six MLS appearances with three starts. 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 started nine total CONCACAF Champions League contests for Honduran club Motagua in 2010-11 and 2011-12. He made his Sporting KC debut in the competition against Real Esteli on Aug. 19. His 11 appearances in the tournament lead the team.

#78 | D | Aurelien Collinht: 6-2 Wt. 169 DOB: 3/8/1986hometown: Enghien-les-Bains, Francelast Club: Vitoria Setubal (Portugal)Acquired: Signed on 4/15/2011last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 has played four CONCACAF Champions League games, including three starts in the 2013-14 group stage last fall.

#9 | D | Antonio Dovaleht: 5-8 Wt. 152 DOB: 4/4/1990 hometown: A Coruna, Galicia, Spainlast Club: Celta de Vigo (Spain)Acquired: Signed on 3/12/2014last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 14 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. Dovale has three goals in the first two CONCACAF Champions League games of his career to become Sporting KC’s second leading scorer in international competition all-time. He scored a free kick at Real Esteli on Aug. 19 before bagging twice against Deportivo Saprissa on Sept. 18.

#14 | F | Dom Dwyerht: 5-9 Wt. 180 DOB: 7/30/1990hometown: London, EnglandCollege: South FlordaAcquired: 2012 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#16)last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

Dwyer’s career-high 19 goals in 2014 rank second in MLS and first on the club’s single-season scoring chart. The 24-year-old Englishman won MLS Player of the Month for May, and his League-best five mult-goal games in 2014 are third-most in club history all-time. 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 has appeared in eight CONCACAF Champions League matches over the last two seasons. He scored at Real Estelí in the 2013014 group stage and opened his account this year with a penalty vs. Deportivo Saprissa on Sept. 18.


#25 | m | Christian Dukeht: 5-9 Wt. 155 DOB: 6/5/1991hometown: Overland Park, KansasCollege: San DiegoAcquired: 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft 1st rd. (#14)last CCl appearance: N/A

Duke joined USL Pro affiliate OKC Energy FC on March 17, making 13 USL PRO appearances and adding three assists for Jimmy Nielsen’s squad before returning to Sporting KC on Sept. 7. 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 ellisht: 5-9 Wt. 160 DOB: 6/30/1991hometown: Kansas City, MissouriCollege: Barton County Community CollegeAcquired: Signed as Homegrown on 2/18/11last CCl appearance: Aug. 19, 2014 at Real Estelí

Ellis started three of Sporting KC’s first four MLS matches of 2014 before going on loan to USL Pro affiliate OKC Energy FC. The right back, who became the second Homegrown Player in club history in 2011, rejoined Sporting KC on May 16 and has since earned 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.

#10 | m | Benny Feilhaber ht: 5-9 Wt. 160 DOB: 1/19/1985hometown: Irvine, CaliforniaCollege: UCLAlast Club: New England RevolutionAcquired: Trade with New England Revolution 12/11/12last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 has four goals and six 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 has played in seven CONCACAF Champions League matches for Sporting KC. He scored a goal at Cruz Azul in the 2013-14 quarterfinals and registered an assist on Sept. 18 in a group stage win over Deportivo Saprissa.

#30 | GK | Andy Gruenebaumht: 6-1 Wt. 175 DOB: 12/30/1982hometown: Overland Park, KansasCollege: Kentuckylast Club: Columbus CrewAcquired: Trade with Columbus Crew on 12/16/13last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 group stage matches for the Columbus Crew in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, notching three shutouts and posting a 4-2-0 record. He made his Sporting KC debut in the competition on Sept. 18, a 3-1 win over Deportivo Saprissa.

#40 | D | Igor Juliaoht: 5-8 Wt. 145 DOB: 8/23/1994hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazillast Club: Fluminense FC (Brazil)Acquired: Signed on loan 4/4/2014last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 19 League matches at right back, contributing two assists. A member of Brazil’s Under-20 Men’s National Team, Juliao is 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. Juliao made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in a 3-1 win over Deportivo Saprissa, assisting Antonio Dovale’s first of two goals in the match.

#24 | m | michael Kafariht: 6-1 Wt. 175 DOB: 10/30/1991hometown: Accra, GhanaCollege: New MexicoAcquired: Signed on 7/8/2014last CCl appearance: N/A 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 mid-March. He made his competitive debut for Charleston on May 28 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup third round.

#21 | GK | Jon Kempinht: 6-1 Wt. 170 DOB: 4/8/1993hometown: Leawood, Kansaslast Club: Sporting Kansas City Academy Acquired: Signed as Homegrown on 8/31/10last CCl appearance: Aug. 19, 2014 at Real Estelí 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 made his CONCACAF Champions League debut on Aug. 19 at Real Esteli.

#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) last CCl appearance: March 19, 2014 at Cruz Azul

The longest tenured member of the club, Kronberg is in his ninth season in Kansas City and first as a starter. The 31-year-old 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 fourth 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 lopezht: 5-8 Wt. 160 DOB: 2/20/1993hometown: Mission, TexasCollege: North CarolinaAcquired: 2013 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#14)last CCl appearance: N/A

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.

#94 | m | Jimmy medrandaht: 5-5 Wt. 150 DOB: 2/7/1994hometown: Mosquera, Nariño, Colombialast Club: Deportivo Pereira (Colombia)Acquired: Signed on 2/13/2014last CCl appearance: N/A

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. On loan with USL PRO affiliate OKC Energy FC from July 9 to Sept. 1, 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.

#18 | m | Victor munozht: 5-7 Wt. 165 DOB: 7/25/1990hometown: Madrid, SpainCollege: UCLAAcquired: Signed on 4/1/2014last CCl appearance: N/A

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 Nagamuraht: 5-8 Wt. 155 DOB: 3/2/1983hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazillast Club: Chivas USAAcquired: Trade with Chivas USA on 11/29/2011last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 All-Star 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 has played in four CONCACAF Champions League matches for Sporting KC. He previously played two games for Chivas USA in the 2008-09 edition of the tournament.

#7 | D | Chance myersht: 6-0 Wt. 165 DOB: 12/7/1987hometown: Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaCollege: UCLAAcquired: 2008 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#1)last CCl appearance: Oct. 23, 2013 vs. CD Olimpia

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 Olumht: 6-2 Wt. 185 DOB: 7/10/1984hometown: Nairobi, KenyaCollege: Missouri Baptistlast Club: Orlando City SC (USL PRO)Acquired: Signed on 9/15/2010last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

Olum is in his fourth season with Sporting KC and has made a career-high 21 regular season appearances this 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. 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 has played four games for Sporting KC in the CONCACAF Champions League, three of them starts.

#3 | D | Ike Oparaht: 6-2 Wt. 180 DOB: 2/21/1989hometown: Durham, North CarolinaCollege: Wake Forestlast Club: San Jose EarthquakesAcquired: Trade with SJ Earthquakes on 12/12/2012last CCl appearance: March 19, 2014 at Cruz Azul

The 2013 Sporting KC Newcomer of the Year appeared in a career-best 18 games with 16 starts during the club’s MLS Cup-winning 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 started 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.

#2 | D | erik Palmer-Brownht: 6-1 Wt. 175 DOB: 4/24/1997hometown: Lee’s Summit, MissouriAcquired: Signed as Homegrown on 8/2/2013last CCl appearance: N/A

The second youngest player in MLS at age 17, Palmer-Brown 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 a September training camp with the U-20s. in Buenos Aires, Argentina.


#37 | F | Jacob Petersonht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 1/27/1986hometown: Portage, MichiganCollege: Indianalast Club: San Jose EarthquakesAcquired: Signed on 1/19/2012last CCl appearance: March 19, 2014 at Cruz Azul

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.

#22 | F | Soony Saadht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 8/17/1992hometown: Dearborn, MichiganCollege: MichiganAcquired: Weighted Lottery on 7/5/2011last CCl appearance: Aug. 19, 2014 at Real Estelí

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 has started four games in the CONCACAF Champions League and scored both goals in a 2-0 group stage win at CD Olimpia on Aug. 27 of last year. He is one of three players on Sporting KC’s current roster (Antonio Dovale, Dom Dwyer) with multiple goals in the competition.

#17 | F | C.J. Saponght: 6-1 Wt. 185 DOB: 12/27/1988hometown: Manassas, VirginiaCollege: James Madison Acquired: 2011 MLS SuperDraft 1st Round (#10)last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 game-tying 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 has played eight CONCACAF Champions League matches for Sporting KC over the last two seasons with two starts.

#15 | D | Seth Sinovicht: 5-10 Wt. 170 DOB: 1/28/1987hometown: Leawood, Kansas College: Creightonlast Club: New England RevolutionAcquired: Signed on 5/10/2011last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 27 regular season games this campaign. Sinovic has started seven matches in the CONCACAF Champions League over the last two seasons, playing 90 minutes in each.

#23 | m | martin Steuble ht: 5-8 Wt. 155 DOB: 6/9/1988hometown: Schlieren, Switzerlandlast Club: FC Wil 1900Acquired: Signed on 7/16/2014last CCl appearance: N/A

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.

#11 | m | Sal Zizzoht: 5-10 Wt. 165 DOB: 4/3/1987hometown: San Diego, CaliforniaCollege: UCLAlast Club: Portland TimbersAcquired: Trade with Portland Timbers on 12/13/13last CCl appearance: Aug. 19, 2014 at Real Estelí

The first-year Sporting KC winger has made 17 MLS appearances with 11 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. Zizzo made his CONCACAF Champions League debut on Aug. 19 at Real Esteli.

#8 | m | Graham Zusiht: 5-10 Wt. 160 DOB: 8/18/1986hometown: Longwood, FloridaCollege: MarylandAcquired: 2009 MLS SuperDraft 2nd Round (#23)last CCl appearance: Sept. 18, 2014 vs Deportivo Saprissa

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 has played seven games in the CONCACAF Champions League over the last two seasons and contributed three assists in the 2013-14 tournament.

SPORTING KC 2014 mlS ReGUlAR SeASONSTATISTICS


# POS PlAYeR GP GS mIN G A ShT SOG FC FS OFF CK C e GWG GWA14 F Dom Dwyer 28 26 2279 19 1 97 43 58 57 28 1 5 0 6 18 M Graham Zusi 21 20 1793 4 7 26 9 20 34 2 111 2 0 0 210 M Benny Feihlaber 27 27 2325 4 6 42 11 43 71 1 24 6 0 1 122 F Soony Saad 19 8 797 3 1 27 11 13 11 0 7 1 0 1 037 F Jacob Peterson 19 11 1119 2 2 23 10 11 13 3 0 2 0 2 113 M Lawrence Olum 21 17 1553 2 1 11 4 13 3 1 0 5 0 2 016 F Claudio Bieler 12 4 407 2 0 12 3 9 7 4 0 1 0 0 078 D Aurelien Collin 24 23 1924 2 0 21 6 38 25 9 0 1 2 0 017 F C.J. Sapong 17 6 698 2 0 12 4 20 20 4 0 4 0 0 09 M Antonio Dovale 14 11 794 1 2 20 5 9 10 0 10 3 1 0 06 M Paulo Nagamura 16 16 1296 1 2 19 8 26 17 4 0 4 0 0 011 F Sal Zizzo 17 11 964 0 3 19 7 5 9 0 0 0 0 0 040 D Igor Juliao 19 19 1632 0 2 12 3 22 45 4 0 4 0 0 115 D Seth Sinovic 27 27 2395 0 2 20 7 47 21 1 0 5 0 0 15 D Matt Besler 20 20 1785 0 1 4 0 31 10 0 0 2 1 0 04 D Kevin Ellis 15 11 1088 0 1 3 1 16 9 0 0 3 0 0 17 D Chance Myers 7 7 576 0 1 1 0 3 7 3 0 1 0 0 020 M Jorge Claros 6 3 329 0 0 1 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 012 M Mikey Lopez 6 5 418 0 0 7 3 12 6 0 0 2 0 0 094 M Jimmy Medranda 4 1 119 0 0 4 0 5 4 0 4 0 0 0 03 D Ike Opara 3 2 152 0 0 4 2 4 2 4 2 0 0 0 02 D Erik Palmer-Brown 3 2 235 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 2 1 0 023 M Martin Steuble 3 1 69 0 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 025 M Christian Duke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 024 M Michael Kafari 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 M Victor Munoz 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

# POS GOAlKeePeR GP GS mIN ShT SV GA SO GAA PG PA W-l-T1 GK Eric Kronberg 17 17 1530 58 38 15 7 0.88 5 5 7-5-530 GK Andy Gruenebaum 9 9 765 32 21 12 1 1.41 1 1 5-3-121 GK Jon Kempin 4 3 315 13 5 7 0 2.00 0 1 1-2-0

Documents

Game Guide: Sporting KC vs. Real Esteli