Category: Sporting KC

Sporting KC’s Claros to compete for Honduras tonight in Venezuelan match

Sporting KC midfielder Jorge Claros and the Honduras Men’s National Team will face Venezuela tonight at Estadio Agustin Tovar in Barinas, Venezuela.

The game will begin at 5:30 p.m. Central time.

The international friendly is the final tune-up for Honduras, No. 72 in the latest FIFA rankings, before meeting French Guyana on March 25 (away) and March 29 (home) in a play-in series for the final berth in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Claros played 45 minutes last Wednesday in Los Catrachos’ opening match of 2015, a 3-2 home loss to Venezuela. He entered the game at halftime for his first minutes under new head coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

Claros, who has earned 56 international appearances since his 2006 debut, played all three matches for Los Catrachos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and has also represented Honduras at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The 29-year-old joined Sporting KC in July 2014 from Motagua of the Honduran Liga Nacional. He made eight MLS appearances and featured in all four of the club’s matches in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Story from Sporting KC

Sporting KC midfielder joins Honduras team for two friendly matches

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jorge Claros joined the Honduras Men’s National Team for two upcoming friendlies, the club announced.

Honduras will play host to Venezuela on Feb. 4 at Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula before traveling for the away leg on Feb. 11 at Estadio Agustin Tovar in Barinas.

“I am always excited to play with Honduras,” Claros said. “These are very important matches as we prepare for our Gold Cup qualification matches against French Guyana in March.”

Honduras, No. 72 in the latest FIFA rankings, are set to play their first matches of 2015 and will do so under new manager Jorge Luis Pinto. The reigning CONCACAF Coach of the Year accepted the position in December after leading Costa Rica to the quarterfinals at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The two international friendlies are the final two scheduled matches for Honduras before facing French Guyana on March 25 (away) and March 29 (home) in a play-in series for the final berth in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Venezuela, ranked No. 87 in the world, will continue preparations for this summer’s 2015 Copa America, in which they were drawn against South American heavyweights Brazil and Colombia in the group stage.

Claros, 29, played all three matches for Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and also represented his native country at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He most recently represented Honduras in October 2014 during friendlies against CONCACAF rivals Mexico and the United States.

Sporting Kansas City acquired Claros in July 2014 from Motagua of the Honduran Liga Nacional. He made eight MLS appearances (including postseason) and featured in all four of the club’s matches in the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League.
– Story from Sporting KC

Sporting KC signs Ellis, Carrasco

Sporting Kansas City announced the club has signed defender Kevin Ellis and midfielder Servando Carrasco.

“We’re excited to have Kevin and Servando under contract and with the team as we start our preseason training camp,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. Each of them has different qualities that will help bolster the squad, he added.

Ellis enters his fifth season with Sporting KC after a career year in 2014, making 27 appearances across all competitions for the club with one goal and three assists.

The 23-year-old right back scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul in the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League and his two game-winning assists during the MLS regular season were tied with Graham Zusi for the team lead.

A Kansas City, Mo., native, Ellis became the team’s second Homegrown Player signing in 2011 as a product of the Sporting KC Academy and debuted during the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before scoring in an international friendly against C.D. Guadalajara later that year.

He made his MLS debut in 2013 and also played a combined 10 games in the USL PRO while on loan with Orlando City SC (2013) and OKC Energy FC (2014) over the last two seasons.

During his four-year professional career, Ellis has been a member of Sporting Kansas City for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title and 2013 MLS Cup championship in addition to his role in Orlando City’s 2013 season that culminated with a USL PRO championship.

“There is no place I would rather play than Kansas City,” Ellis said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to play in front of my family and friends for the next few years and could not picture it any other way.”

Carrasco has made 60 appearances in four MLS seasons (including playoffs) with one goal and one assist from his defensive midfield position.

He began his career with Seattle Sounders FC, who won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup during his rookie season in 2011, and was traded to the Houston Dynamo during the 2013 campaign.

The 26-year-old was a second round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of California, where he contributed 13 goals and 13 assists in 73 games during his collegiate career.

Carrasco was a three-time All-PAC 10 selection, earning first team honors as a senior in 2010 when he captained the Bears to a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship.

Carrasco, who married U.S. Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan last month, holds dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico.

Sporting Kansas City acquired his rights from the Houston Dynamo during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft in exchange for the club’s second round selection.

“I’m really excited to become a part of this organization and I can’t wait to get started,” Carrasco said. “Having played against Kansas City over the years, two things instantly come to mind. One is the incredible support from the fan base and second is the style of play. It’s no secret that this is a team that wants to dictate the tempo of the game and it’s exciting to have the opportunity to learn the system and continue to grow as a player.”

Sporting Kansas City will kick off the team’s 20th season on March 8 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan., in a nationally televised match against the New York Red Bulls at 6 p.m. on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes. For ticket information, visit SportingKC.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL.

– Story from Sporting KC