Saturday, May 3, 2014

Eastern Conference leaders clash in nationally televised match at Sporting Park

SportingKC.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Sporting Kansas City and the Columbus Crew meet Sunday afternoon at Sporting Park in a meeting of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings.

Sunday's match, presented by Sabates Eye Center, will kick off at 3 p.m. CT on the NBC Sports Network and can be heard locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB or La Gran D 1340 AM. A limited number of tickets are still available  for Sunday's match including Standing Room Only tickets for $20 each.

The Columbus Crew got off to a fast start to 2014 with three consecutive victories to open the season, marking their best start in club history. The Crew failed to secure a win during the month of April but held on to first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-1 draw last weekend against the New York Red Bulls. Costa Rican forward Jairo Arrieta scored the team's lone goal in the 39th minute before New York equalized in the 66th minute.

Sporting KC suffered a road loss last weekend against the New England Revolution allowing two goals in second half stoppage time after referee Alan Kelly issued defender Aurelien Collin a straight red card in the 74th minute.

Sunday's contest will feature two of the League's leading goalscorers. Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer and Columbus midfielder Federico Higuain are tied for fourth in the MLS scoring charts with four goals a piece.

Sporting Kansas City is 22-21-6 against the Crew all-time and has earned victories in the last three meetings with Columbus including two wins at Sporting Park last season en route to the MLS Cup title.

Prior to kickoff, Sporting Kansas City players, coaches and front office staff will receive their 2013 MLS Cup championship rings in a ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to join the celebration and the first 10,000 individuals to pass through the gates will receive a pair of Sporting KC branded sunglasses, courtesy of Sabates Eye Center.

In conjunction with the ceremony, all fans who spend $75 or more at Sporting Style locations on Sunday will receive a complimentary mini replica MLS Cup trophy, while supplies last.

Fans can follow the match online at Twitter.com/SKCGameday or by visiting  www.SportingKC.com/GameOn.