September 2021 – Page 43 – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

‘913 Day’ celebration planned

A week-long celebration of Wyandotte County businesses, neighborhoods and communities will begin on Monday, Sept. 13, or “913” Day.

The effort is sponsored by the Unified Government and Visit Kansas City, Kansas.

913 Day will include an interactive map showing events happening in Wyandotte County next week.

Businesses and organizations may submit information on activities next week by visiting wycokck.org/913Day and filling out a form, with information to be added to the community 913 Day calendar.

“The purpose of 913 Day and this week-long recognition and celebration is to recognize the fact that, after almost two years of weathering through the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges, our community continues to do great things and be strong and vibrant,” stated Ashley Hand, director of strategic communications for the Unified Government. “Our interactive map will give people the information they need to shop local, eat local and support organizations and businesses throughout our community.”

The goal of the 913 Day celebration is to encourage people to explore events, restaurants and other businesses and organizations in Wyandotte County. People sharing their experiences from exploring Kansas City, Kansas on social media are encouraged to tag their comments with #WyCoLovesLocal, according to a spokesman. The Unified Government has a Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofkck and Twitter at twitter.com/cityofkck with updates and ideas on new places to explore in the KCK area.

“Kansas City, Kansas is full of hidden gems, from the mouth-watering Taco Trail to the great stores at the Legends and museums exploring the fascinating history of Wyandotte County,” said Alan Carr, executive director of Visit Kansas City, Kansas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Kansas City, Kansas. “We’re encouraging people to explore this vibrant community and share their experiences.”

Willis powers Monarchs to Game 2 win

The Monarchs’ Colin Willis hit a grand slam on Saturday, Sept. 11, against the Sioux City Explorers. (Photo by John Ellis, Kansas City Monarchs)

The Monarchs’ Carlos Diaz was the winning pitcher in Saturday’s game against the Sioux City Explorers. (Photo by John Ellis, Kansas City Monarchs)

by Jack Johnson, Kansas City Monarchs

After blasting the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night, the Kansas City Monarchs followed up with a convincing 11-6 win in Game 2 Saturday at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

With the victory, Kansas City needs just one more win to advance to the American Association Championship series.

Much like Friday night’s game, the Monarchs’ offense got started early. Gaby Guerrero, who had four hits on Friday, ripped an RBI-triple to make it 1-0 in the bottom of the first.

Sioux City (0-2) managed to tie it with a run earned off Keyvius Sampson in the top of the second, but Kansas City rallied with four more runs in the bottom half. Two of those runs came on a Colin Willis homer out to home run hill in right field.

Taking a 5-1 lead, Sampson settled in. The right-hander worked through the first four innings and allowed just one run. However, former Monarch Nick Franklin punished Sampson in the fifth when he rocketed a three-run home run to make it a 6-4 ballgame.

One of the biggest moments of the game came with Carlos Diaz on the mound in the top of the sixth.

Clinging to a two-run lead, Diaz loaded the bases with nobody out. Fortunately for the Monarchs (2-0), the hard-throwing left-hander struck out the side to neutralize the threat. In the home half of the frame, Willis came through again and smacked a grand slam — putting the game out of reach.

Despite some runs off the bullpen late, Kansas City maintained its lead and picked up the second win, 11-6, in the best-of-five series.

The Monarchs have an off day Sunday before continuing the series at Sioux City on Monday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to Monarchs playoff games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.

Sporting KC scores early, shuts out Fire 2-0

Forward Alan Pulido, right, congratulated Johnny Russell following Russell’s goal that gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead in the match against the Chicago Fire. The game was Russell’s 100th appearance for Kansas City in the regular season. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City made two early goals stand up for a 2-0 shutout win against the Chicago Fire at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday evening.

Newly signed midfielder Jose Mauri, in his first home appearance for Sporting, scored the first goal in the 4th minute. He took a gamble on a low-percentage shot from a few yards outside the penalty area.

Mauri’s chance paid off when Chicago goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, although well-positioned to make the save, let the ball slide underneath him and into the net.

Two minutes later, Johnny Russell, in his 100th regular season match for Kansas City, received the gift of an easy goal. The rebound from a Daniel Salloi shot came to him in front of the empty Chicago net, and a quick tap-in bagged Russell his fifth goal of the season.

Though the two quick scores made it look as though Sporting would walk away with the match, that was far from the case. Chicago made defensive adjustments that slowed the Kansas City offense, and in the second half, Chicago took the fight back to the other end of the pitch.

Some heroic saves by Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia and a couple shots that bounced off the crossbar were needed to keep Chicago off the scoreboard. The clean sheet was the team’s first at home since May.

The win moves Kansas City back into second place in the MLS Western Conference, two points behind Seattle.

The match with Chicago is the first of three consecutive home matches. With Colorado a single point behind in the standings and holding two games in hand, Sporting hopes to maximize their results in the three-game home stand.

The next match will take place against Minnesota United at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15.