Sporting KC hosts Real Salt Lake in U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday

SportingKC.com

Sporting Kansas City continues their 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign on Wednesday when they host rivals Real Salt Lake in the tournament semifinals.

Tickets are available for the match, presented by the Dairy Farmers of America, and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.

Fans unable to attend can watch the live stream on SportingKC.com beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT. Additional coverage will be available on Sports Radio 810 WHB in English or on La Grande 1340 AM in Spanish.

The 2015 U.S. Open Cup boasted the largest field in the modern era (1995-present) with 89 teams competing for the title. The tournament has been held annually since 1914 and is open to all amateur/professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. This year's winner will earn $250,000 and a berth in the 2016-17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

Sporting KC signs forward Krisztian Nemeth

SportingKC.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Sporting Kansas City has signed 25-year-old Hungarian Men's National Team forward Krisztian Nemeth, the club announced on Thursday.

Nemeth will occupy an international roster spot on the team's roster for the 2015 season pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.

"Krisztian [Nemeth] is a player who has extensive experience playing in a 4-3-3 [system]," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "He also fits well in the overall model of play for Sporting Kansas City and we look forward to his adaptation."

Sporting KC signs goalkeeper Luis Marin

SportingKC.com

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Sporting Kansas City has signed 31-year-old Chilean goalkeeper Luis Marin, the club announced on Thursday.

Marin will occupy an international roster spot on the team's roster for the 2015 season pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa.

"Luis [Marin] is a goalkeeper with a wealth of experience and leadership," Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes said. "He knows our team and the tasks that lie ahead for him and he is raring to go to take the challenges head-on."

"I am excited to join Sporting Kansas City and take the next step in my career," Marin said. "I'm going to do everything I can to help this team win another championship."

Graham Zusi named MLS Player of the Week

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Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week on Monday by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 10 of the 2013 MLS season.

Zusi played a pivotal part in Sporting Kansas City's first three goals on Sunday in a 4-0 victory over Chivas USA at Sporting Park.

The honor is Zusi's second career Player of the Week recognition and first for the team since he last won the award in Week 23 of the 2011 MLS season.

The 26-year-old playmaker set up Claudio Bieler's goal in the 41st minute yesterday, earning his fourth assist of the season and third game-winning assist of the year (watch here).

Both marks are tied for the League lead in 2013. Zusi also moved into sole possession of fifth place on KC's all-time assist chart with 27 regular season assists in his MLS career, breaking a tie with Josh Wolff.

In the 54th minute on Sunday, Zusi played a well-weighted pass to Paulo Nagamura behind the Chivas USA backline that proved to be the decisive play in a sequence that ended with Nagamura being fouled inside the penalty area.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was sent off for the offense and Bieler scored from the penalty spot for the game's second goal.

Blue Devils rally for 5-2 win, 4-1-1 soccer record

By ALAN HOSKINS

Trailing 2-1, Kansas City Kansas Community College stung Independence with four second half goals Friday for a 5-2 Jayhawk Conference soccer victory.

The win boosted the Blue Devils to 4-1-1 for the season and fourth place in the Jayhawk with a 2-1 record with the only loss to unbeaten Cowley. Independence took a 2-0 decision in the women’s game.

Gabby Betancourt, a freshman from Houston, Tex., led the Blue Devils with three goals and two assists while Juan Bustamante and John Peidrahita also scored. Bustamnate also had an assist as did Luis Mascote, Zack Hargraves and Jose Arredndo.

“This is a young team so I’m pretty happy with it,” said second year head coach Ruben Rodriguez as the Blue Devils completed dominated play in the second half.

The Blue Devils are back in action at Allen County Wednesday and then return home next Tuesday for another Jayhawk clash with Neosho.

The next to last home contests of the season for KCKCC, the Lady Blue Devils play at 11 a.m. and the men at 1 p.m. at the Johnson County Soccer Complex at 137th  east of Quivira.

PHOTO: Freshman Juan Bustamante delivered the game-tying goal and then received congratulations from teammates as Kansas City Kansas Community overcame a 2-1 deficit for a 5-2 Jayhawk Conference win over Independence Friday. (KCKCC Photos by Alan Hoskins)