Month: June 2019

Loss to Minnesota ends Sporting’s U.S. Open Cup effort

Sporting Kansas City exited the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, falling 4-1 to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Gerso Fernandes drew Sporting level midway through the first half after Angelo Rodriguez had given Minnesota an early lead, but the Loons received a brace from Darwin Quintero and an Ethan Finlay strike in the second period to advance to the Round of 16.

The result condemns Sporting to their first Round of 32 defeat in the Open Cup since 2000, breaking a streak of nine straight victories at this stage of the heralded knockout-style tournament.

Manager Peter Vermes’ side will now regroup before resuming their MLS regular season campaign on June 23, visiting Columbus Crew SC in a 4:30 p.m. kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium. The match will air live on FOX Sports Kansas City Plus and FOX Sports Midwest Plus.

A light shuffling of the Sporting Kansas City lineup saw Vermes make two changes from Friday’s 2-2 draw at Toronto FC.

Goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas replaced Tim Melia and left back Seth Sinovic made way for Jimmy Medranda, who hit two notable landmarks on Wednesday. Medranda had recovered from a long-term knee injury for his first start since May 20, 2018, which coincidentally came in an MLS match at Minnesota-and in doing so, logged his 100th career appearance for Sporting in all competitions.

The Loons took less than two minutes to strike through Rodriguez following a clever delivery from captain Quintero. Sporting goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas prevented Minnesota from doubling their advantage four minutes later, diving at full extension to push aside Finlay’s shot on the breakaway.

Sporting gradually gained a foothold as the first half progressed, however, and tested Minnesota gloveman Vito Mannone in the ninth minute when Gerso ran onto Medranda’s feed and pulled the trigger from a tight angle.

Medranda and Gerso combined again for Sporting’s equalizer in the 27th minute, finishing an incisive attack that unlocked Minnesota’s defense. Felipe Gutierrez’s crafty diagonal ball was pinged back across the face of goal by Medranda, allowing Gerso to fire a bouncing shot past Mannone for his fifth tally of the season in all competitions.

Head coach Adrian Heath’s men nearly produced an instant reply on the half-hour mark, but the hosts were unable to capitalize on an opening through the middle. Collin Martin tried rounding Zendejas inside the penalty area but got the ball stuck under his own feet, then picked out a trailing Rodriguez whose shot deflected wide.

The game got away from Sporting in the second half, as Minnesota surged ahead once more within 45 seconds of the restart. Hassani Dotson set up Finlay for the match-winning goal, putting the visitors back behind the proverbial eight ball.

Mannone thwarted Gutierrez in the 48th minute, sprawling low at the near post, and the Loons extended their cushion seven minutes later when Quintero tucked a shot low into the corner off a Rodriguez square pass.

Frustration mounted for Sporting near the 60-minute mark, as Salloi’s audacious chip shot with his back to goal was touched onto the crossbar by the leaping Mannone before Gerso’s sledgehammer was palmed aside.

Minnesota put the game on ice in the 67th minute as Quintero raced in behind the defense and recorded his seventh goal of the year across all competitions. Salloi almost cut into the three-goal deficit with 10 minutes remaining, but his close-range shot caromed off defender Michael Boxall and inches wide of the frame.

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Two USDA research agencies to relocate to Kansas City region

Two USDA research agencies will be relocating to the Kansas City region, according to an announcement today from the U.S. secretary of agriculture.

The USDA’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture will relocate to the Kansas City area, according to the announcement. Both agencies are currently in Washington, D.C.

The exact location for the two agencies has not been selected yet, and there will be competitive bids for leasing in the Kansas City area through the General Services Administration, according to the announcement. They could locate on the Missouri or Kansas side of the state line.

U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, issued a joint statement with U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, applauding the selection of the Kansas City area. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., also commended the relocation announcement. A regional application was advanced by Kansas City leaders on both sides of the state line.

“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” Sen. Moran said in a news release. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry.”

“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” Sen. Roberts said in a news release.

“I’m pleased the USDA has chosen the Kansas City metro as the site to relocate its research facilities, and I’m proud to have been a part of the bipartisan effort to advocate for this move. The Kansas City metro is in the middle of the National Biosciences Corridor that stretches from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, so this selection makes all the sense in the world,” Rep. Davids said in a news release.

According to the USDA news release, the USDA did a cost-benefit analysis that showed that by moving to the Kansas City area, it might save about $300 million over a 15-year lease term on employment costs and rent or about $20 million a year. This will allow more funding for research of critical needs like rural prosperity and agricultural competitiveness, and for programs and employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets, according to the USDA news release.

In addition, state and local governments offered relocation incentive packages totaling more than $26 million, the USDA stated in its news release. Also, the USDA noted it will be able to attract a diverse staff with training and interest in agriculture.

“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a news release. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”

Mayor David Alvey during the 5 p.m. Thursday Unified Government Commission session said it was a very important announcement, with the USDA selecting the Kansas City area among all cities in the country. As soon as it was announced, however, the UG heard from its federal lobbyist, Jim Davenport, that there could be significant opposition in Washington to the selection of Kansas City.

“Letting us know that immediately was very helpful, and I’ve already asked him to let us know what we need to do in terms of lobbying, working with our delegation and others, to make sure it does come to Kansas City, whether it lands in Kansas City, Kansas, or not, but certainly get it to the region,” Mayor Alvey said at the meeting.

Nice weather expected today before storms move in on Friday

Wyandotte County could get 1.5 to 2 inches of rain over the next seven days. (National Weather Service graphic)
Strong to severe isolated storms are possible on Saturday, according to the weather service. (National Weather Service graphic)

Beautiful weather in the mid-70s is in today’s forecast, before storms move in on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

There is a chance of rain on all of the six days from Friday through Wednesday, according to the weather service.

A high pressure system is moving east across the area, resulting in today’s unny skies, light winds and temperatures in the 70s, the weather service said.

As the high pressure moves to the east on Friday, winds will return to the south, allowing for warm air and moisture to return, the weather service said. Storms that develop in western Kansas on Thursday night, will enter the western portions of this area by Friday morning, according to forecasters.

Missouri River flooding continues along the river. The Missouri River at Parkville is currently in moderate flood stage, and declining.

According to weather service hydrologists, the widespread rain the next several days may add up to 5 inches over the southern Osage River basin in Missouri. Wyandotte County could receive from 1.5 to 2 inches of rain over the next week, according to the forecast.

According to the weather service, the rainfall over the next week may cause smaller rivers to rise, and slow the decline of the Missouri River levels.

The weather service said strong to severe storms are possible on Saturday, with the possibility of damaging winds and hail up to the size of a quarter.

Today, the forecast is sunny with a high near 76 and a southwest wind of 3 to 6 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, there will be increasing clouds, with a low of 59 and a south wind of 7 to 9 mph, according to the weather service.

Friday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 78 with a south wind of 10 to 17 mph, gusting as high as 32 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is in the forecast.

Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 66, with a south wind of 11 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is in the forecast.

Saturday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 85 with a south southwest wind of 8 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is expected.

Saturday night, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m., with a low of 66, according to the weather service. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Sunday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and storms before 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 83.

Sunday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers andstorm after 1 a.m., with a low of 62, according to the weather service.

Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 80, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 62, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 81, the weather service said.

Wednesday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 84, the weather service said.

The Missouri River above Parkville, where the gauge is on I-435 between Wyandotte County and Platte County, is currently in moderate flood stage and declining. (National Weather Service – USGS chart)