Category: Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City now a lottery scratch game

The Kansas Lottery today launched a new $2 instant scratch game called Sporting Kansas City.
“We’re excited to partner with the Sporting Kansas City organization on this new game,” said Kansas Lottery Executive Director Terry Presta. “We think our players will really enjoy a chance to win a VIP Soccer experience, as well as numerous cash prizes.”

Players can win up to $10,000 instantly playing Sporting Kansas City scratchers. There are six top prizes of $10,000 in the game, along with 30 $500 prizes, 60 $200 prizes and thousands of other smaller cash prizes.

Those who don’t win instantly may enter a second-chance drawing for a chance to win a VIP Soccer Experience Prize Package for the 2015 season. The grand prize package, valued at approximately $22,000, includes:

•         Four 2015 season tickets with two VIP parking passes, including hospitality
•         “VIP Dinner with Sporting Kansas City,” including a photo and autograph session, plus photo with the 2013 MLS Cup
•         Sporting Kansas City memorabilia (autographed jersey and soccer ball)
•         Honorary coin toss and game ball presentation at a predetermined game
•         Behind-the-scenes tour of Sporting Park at a predetermined game
•         Post-game press conference for four people at a predetermined game
•         $500 cash

For a chance to win the grand prize, players may enter non-winning $2 Sporting Kansas City tickets online through the Kansas Lottery Players Club.  The deadline to enter is noon on Sept. 23.  The winner will be announced Sept. 26.

Sporting KC signs midfielder Victor Munoz

Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday the signing of 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Victor Munoz.

He will be added to the team’s roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

“Victor is a player we saw in college and had train with us last year,” manager Peter Vermes said. “What we liked about him was that the style of play that he played over in Spain is something that definitely fits in with the way that we play. It’s a good addition to our team and a young kid who we hope can grow into our system.”

“I am very excited to join Sporting Kansas City,” Munoz said. “I trained here last summer and enjoyed everything about it, from the players to the environment. The team understands how to play the game the right way and I think this is the perfect place to continue my development.”

A native of Madrid, Munoz spent eight years in the Real Madrid academy system and was a member of Spain’s under-15, under-16 and under-17 youth national teams. After being recruited to Celta de Vigo’s academy, Munoz moved to the United States in 2010 to pursue a college education.

As a freshman at Iona College, Munoz was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year with five assists for the Gaels. Munoz then transferred to UCLA and helped the Bruins reach the NCAA College Cup with eight assists in his sophomore season en route to recording three goals and 26 assists during his collegiate career. His eight assists in 2013 led all UCLA players and he earned second team All-Pac 12 recognition as a senior.

Following his participation in the 2014 MLS Player Combine, D.C. United traded up to draft the left-footed Munoz in the second round (No. 29 overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. He appeared in four games for D.C. United during the 2014 preseason but was released by the club last month.

Sporting Kansas City’s roster will feature 28 players under contract upon the addition of Munoz.

Zusi voted MLS Player of Week

Graham Zusi

Graham Zusi of Sporting Kansas City has been voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week.

Zusi, a midfielder, scored the opening goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Colorado before providing the game-tying and game-winning assists in the come-from-behind road victory.

The 27-year-old put Sporting KC ahead 1-0 in the 50th minute, beginning the scoring sequence by winning the ball inside the defensive half and outracing Rapids defender Marvell Wynne over the course of a 60-yard run for a first-time finish inside the six-yard box.

Zusi has 18 career goals in MLS competition and Sporting KC improved to 14-0-1 when he scores in the regular season.

Zusi has 33 assists in his MLS regular season career, fourth most in club history, and his 0.34 assists per 90 regular season minutes played ranks second best among Sporting KC players all-time.

Since the start of the 2011 season, Zusi is one of only two MLS players with at least 30 assists and 15 goals along with Houston Dynamo captain Brad Davis.

On Sunday, Zusi joined the U.S. Men’s National Team along with Sporting KC captain Matt Besler ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Mexico.