Month: June 2020

Sporting KC placed in group with Real Salt Lake, Colorado and Minnesota for tournament

Sporting Kansas City has learned their three group stage opponents for the historic MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, joining Group D alongside fellow Western Conference clubs Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids and Minnesota United FC.

Sporting Kansas City’s three group stage matches will count toward the 2020 MLS regular season standings, with a full tournament schedule-including match dates and broadcast details-to be announced.

The MLS is Back Tournament draw unfolded Thursday, placing all 26 clubs into six separate groups. Groups A, C and E consist of the 14 Eastern Conference clubs-six teams in Group A and four each in Groups C and E-while Groups B, D and F each consist of four Western Conference teams. Nashville SC has moved to the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2020 campaign.

The top two finishers in each group and the four best third-place finishers will advance to the knockout rounds, with a single-elimination bracket from the Round of 16 onward. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout.

Group stage play will begin July 8 with the tournament opener between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF, the league announced. The Round of 16 will run from July 25 to 28, followed by the Quarterfinals (July 30 to Aug. 1), Semifinals (Aug. 5 to 6) and Championship on Aug. 11.

The tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League and all clubs will have the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.

Sporting and Real Salt Lake share a rich history as fierce rivals over the last decade. Manager Peter Vermes’ men notably defeated RSL in MLS Cup 2013 and the 2018 Western Conference Semifinals at Children’s Mercy Park as well as the 2015 and 2018 editions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Colorado Rapids are Sporting’s most frequent opponent in club history, as the sides have met 78 times since the inaugural 1996 MLS campaign. Across all competitions, Sporting owns a 5-3-2 mark against regional foes Minnesota United FC since the Loons joined MLS in 2017.

Upon completion of the MLS is Back Tournament, MLS plans to continue its regular season with a revised schedule in home markets, followed by the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and the 25th MLS Cup. The final number of matches and the revised schedule for the remainder of the 2020 MLS regular season will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Ramps, lane closures planned today on highways

Ramp and lane closures are planned Friday in Wyandotte County. (KDOT map)

Ramp and lane closures are scheduled in Wyandotte County on Friday, June 12, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Traffic on all these projects will be diverted using mobile lane closures, signs and traffic cones, a spokesman stated.

In Wyandotte County, for new bridge girder unloading, closures include:

  • Intermittent lane and ramp closures on eastbound I-70 to unload new bridge girders onto a trestle in the Missouri River as part of the Lewis and Clark Viaduct Bridge project. Each I-70 closure could last for approximately 15-20 minutes. Work will occur on Friday, June 12.

Two girders will be placed from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., weather permitting. Traffic will be stopped on eastbound I-70 and several on-ramps to unload each girder. The following ramps will be temporarily closed; Fairfax Trafficway to eastbound I-70, Washington Boulevard, Minnesota Avenue and eastbound I-70.

Traffic will be controlled using construction trucks and digital message boards. Travelers should expect delays and find alternative routes.

For grading work, the closures include:

  • Ramps that will close from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, June 12:
  • Southbound Turner Diagonal to westbound I-70,
  • Eastbound I-70 to southbound Turner Diagonal.

A KDOT spokesman urged all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. To stay aware of all road construction projects across Kansas go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1. Motorists were asked to drive safely and always wear their seat belts, according to the spokesman.

Police notes

Shooting reported on Delavan

A shooting into an occupied house was reported at 3:03 a.m. June 11 in the 2600 block of Delavan Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

According to the victims, a suspect began shooting, and their house and other property was struck. There were no reported injuries, the report stated.

Aggravated assault reported

Aggravated assault was reported at 3:10 p.m. June 11 in the 200 block of South 18th Street, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

The victim stated a suspect pointed at gun at the victim and made threatening remarks, according to the report.

Business robbed at gunpoint on Minnesota Avenue

A business was robbed at gunpoint at 6:20 p.m. June 11 on Minnesota Avenue, according to a social media post by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.

A suspect entered the business, pointed a gun at the victim and took property, according to the report.