Sporting Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, KS — Taking advantage of an early red card, Sporting Kansas City dominated the New England Revolution in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 19,777 fans at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

The first truly dangerous chance for Sporting came in the eighth minute when Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis came about 25 yards out from his net to play a ball and appeared to foul C.J. Sapong. Play was allowed to continue and Roger Espinoza put a looping shot off the post.

Two minutes later, Sapong was taken down near the top of the box, but the ensuing free kick was deflected wide for a corner.

Defender Stephen McCarthy was sent off in the 14th minute. McCarthy was cited for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity as the last man back when Sapong was on a breakaway. McCarthy was pulling on Sapong's shirt for about 10 yards before referee Silviu Petrescu whistled the foul and reached directly for the red card.

The dam was broken in the 28th minute. Seth Sinovic sent a cross into the box that was headed away by Shalrie Joseph. The ball came down to Kei Kamara in the penalty area and he tried putting the ball on target. In the middle of a pile in front of the goal, midfielder Graham Zusi got a foot on it and put it in the net for his first goal of the season..

Kamara doubled the Sporting's lead in the 39th minute. Sinovic again put a cross in front that was deflected out to Kamara. His initial shot was saved by Reis, but Kamara was able to put in the rebound. The goal was Kamara's first of the 2012 season.

Two minutes after the restart, Sapong increased the lead to 3-0. Zusi fed a ball forward for Sinovic in the penalty area. Sinovic found Sapong, who slotted the ball in past Reis. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year how has two goals on the young season.

How dominant was Sporting KC in this match? While taking into account they spent 75 minutes a man up, their possession percentage went up in the second half, from 62.4 percent to 68.3 percent. Their passing accuracy also increased from the first to second half, 84.7 percent to 86.9 percent. They also completed almost twice as many total passes as New England, an almost Barcelona-like 647 passes to 328 for the visitors.

With the win, Sporting KC tops the Eastern Conference with six points and will host FC Dallas on Sunday, March 25th at 6 p.m. CT. New England will return home to face the Portland Timbers on Saturday, March 24th at 4 p.m. ET.

After having a 2011 campaign that excited Sporting Kansas City supporters across the board—one that took them to the Eastern Conference Championship Game—Sporting are ready to put it all in the rear view and get started on 2012.

Their 2012 preseason has already generated some talk after first-round draft pick Don Dwyer scored a hat trick in their last preseason game at FC Tuscon.

But now it's time to gear up for MLS-level competition, and the first matter at hand for their unofficial games will be playing their opponent from the Conference Championship Game, the Houston Dynamo.

Despite topping the East division point-wise, Sporting weren't able to take care of Houston and keep their success riding through to the MLS Cup.

But Houston are coming with a new and improved look for 2012.

The Dynamo are riding high after securing the services of their former striker, Brian Ching. Add Ching into the mix, and what MLS fans can expect this season will be some solid matches between Kansas City and Houston.

After playing the Dynamo on Friday, Sporting will face the newest MLS expansion, the Montreal Impact on Sunday 26th.

The 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic will conclude on Wednesday 29th against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Games can be seen on MLSSoccer.com, and ESPN3.com.

Sporting Kansas City wrapped up the final game of their preseason stay in Arizona with a 5-1 drubbing of PDL's FC Tuscon at the Kino Sports Complex in Tuscon.

Former Arizona Sahuaros player and current Honduran international Roger Espinoza had a nice homecoming of sorts, scoring an electrifying goal from about 30 yards out to beat the FC Tuscon keeper in the corner.

Sporting's field day on offense was highlighted by the play of their first-round draft pick, Don Dwyer, who didn't score until the final 20 minutes of the game, but essentially owned the game after that.

Dwyer found two more goals, one in the 80th minute and one right before the dead of the game to secure his hat trick.  Although Dwyer missed the top 10 in terms of the evaluation on draft picks, he may be the first rounder that has the biggest immediate impact.

Sporting KC were able to persevere through cold and rainy conditions, unusual for this time of year in southern Arizona.

Sporting will be back in Kansas City on Tuesday for four days, before playing a series of preseason matches at the 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando.  

Games for this event can be seen on MLSSoccer.com, as well as ESPN3.com for runner-up and championship matches.

Individual accolades continue to pour in for Sporting Kansas City players.

On Thursday, Sporting KC announced that three players had been invited to the U.S. Men's National Team training camp next month in preparation for friendlies against Venezuela and Panama.

Forward Teal Bunbury, already in camp with the U-23 team preparing for Olympic qualifying, will be joined by forward C.J. Sapong and midfielder Graham Zusi. Bunbury will be the only field player that will participate in both camps.

In a press release, Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said, "January camps are a good introduction for players to work their way into the National Team, so it's a prime opportunity for guys like C.J. Sapong and Graham Zusi, while Teal Bunbury continues to establish himself in the player pool."

Sporting KC tied FC Dallas for most selections with three players each. MLS is well-represented on the roster, as only Ricardo Clark and Michael Parkhurst are not playing in the league.

Sapong and Zusi will be participating in their first national team camp. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann handed out only three first-time invites to Camp Cupcake, as it's popularly referred to.

Not only that, but Sapong and Bunbury account for half of the forwards at next month's camp.

Bunbury made his first appearance for the U.S. in November 2010. He scored his first national team goal from the spot in a friendly with Chile in January of this year.

Sapong, who led all rookies in scoring with five goals and five assists, said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m very excited and thankful for this opportunity,” said Sapong, the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year. “I’ve worked really hard for this and look forward to working even harder to take my game to the next level.”

Zusi, whose career highs with five goals and seven assists earned him MLSSoccer.com's Breakout Player of the Year award, wants to represent the club well in camp.

“I'm looking forward to representing Sporting Kansas City in my first national team camp,” Zusi said. “It will be a great experience and a great way to start the 2012 season.”

Bunbury, who tied for the team lead with nine goals in the 2011 regular season, said he was honored by the invite.

“It’s always an honor to be given the opportunity to play for your country,” Bunbury said. “Credit goes to Sporting KC for having such a good season. It’s given me the chance to be able to have this opportunity. I’m ready to go into camp and work hard, learn and try to improve my game. I’m very thankful.”

Training camp will begin in Phoenix, AZ, on January 3rd. The team will train there for 10 days before moving to Carson, CA, for another six days.

The first match of 2012 will be January 21st when the USMNT plays Venezuela at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

The USMNT will then travel to Panama City to play Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez on January 25th.

Sporting Kansas City announced Monday they had agreed to terms to allow striker Omar Bravo to transfer to Cruz Azul for the upcoming 2012 season.

Bravo played in the Mexican Primera División for 10 years before signing with Sporting Kansas City in August 2010. In accordance with club and league policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In the press release announcing the move, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes thanked Bravo for his service to the club.

“We want to thank Omar (Bravo) for his time with Sporting Kansas City on and off the field,” Vermes said. “His competitive nature and savviness played a big part in our first season at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. We wish him nothing but success in his new ventures.”

This transaction will open up an international rosters spot as well as a Designated Player position for Sporting Kansas City.

In the same press release, Bravo did not rule out a return to Kansas City or MLS.

“I want to thank Peter (Vermes), the Sporting Kansas City ownership, and MLS for a great opportunity and experience during the memorable 2011 season,” Bravo said. “For personal reasons, I am returning to the Primera División but I do not want to rule out a return to Sporting KC and MLS. 

 “The quality of play in MLS is high and rapidly rising so I feel well prepared for my new challenge. I look forward to following Sporting KC’s continued success and to continuing my promotion of LIVESTRONG and MLS.”

Bravo, 31, was acquired by Sporting Kansas City in August 2010, becoming the second of three Designated Players in club history. Sporting KC then immediately loaned Bravo back to Chivas Guadalajara to finish the Apertura season. Bravo ranks second all time in scoring for the Goats.

Bravo opened the 2011 season with a bang, scoring two goals in the season opener against Chivas USA.

However, the former Mexican international was forced to miss six weeks after sports hernia surgery in April.

Bravo notched nine goals and two assists in 27 regular season matches for Sporting KC and was named an MLS All-Star by Commissioner Don Garber.

After helping Sporting KC finish in first place in the Eastern Conference, Bravo missed the Eastern Conference semifinals and played only five minutes in the conference final loss Houston due to a groin injury.

Bravo will continue his role as a LIVESTRONG Global Envoy, a cause he committed to in June 2011. He will help the foundation spread its message of awareness to the Hispanic/Latino community in both the United States and Mexico.

Sporting Kansas City announced today they had acquired Bobby Convey from the San Jose Earthquakes. In exchange, the Earthquakes will receive an international roster spot.

Convey, 28, has played for the United States national team, including in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and joins Sporting Kansas City having played in San Jose for the last three years. He was named an MLS All-Star in 2010 and 2011 and has scored 11 goals to go along with 35 assists in 164 MLS matches.

In a press release, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes highlighted why he thought Convey would do well with his new team.

“Bobby Convey has been a difference-maker in this League for many years, with experience at the highest levels of soccer,” Vermes said. “His competitiveness and attacking qualities stand out and we feel that he can thrive within the culture created at Sporting Kansas City. We are very excited to welcome Bobby to our club.”

A native of Philadelphia, Convey became the youngest player to ever sign with MLS at the age of 16 before the 2000 season. He appeared in 72 matches for DC United before the age of 21, earning not only a starting role with his club team but also his first appearance for the national team at the age of 18.

In the press release about the trade, Convey said he's looking forward to playing in Kansas City.

“I am very excited to link up with my new club and teammates,” Convey said. “The fans in Kansas City are extremely supportive of the team and create a great atmosphere in the new stadium. The team proved last year they are a good team that can win a bunch of games and I hope I can add to that success.”

Based on his quality performances for United and the national team, Convey began drawing interest from clubs in Europe and eventually moved to Reading FC of the Football League Championship in England. Convey enjoyed a breakout season in 2005, pushing Reading to the Championship title and promotion to the English Premier League.

Since returning to MLS in 2009, Convey has played any position on the left flank and has even featured in the central midfield for San Jose.

Initially known for his midfield play, Convey drew rave reviews for his performance as a left back in the Earthquakes' unlikely push to the Eastern Conference final in 2010, a run that included a two-goal performance against the New York Red Bulls in the semifinals. He tied for the league lead in game-winning assists and was also named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

At the youth international level, Convey was part of the US squad that reached the semifinals of the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Championship in New Zealand. The team also included current national team regulars Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, and DaMarcus Beasley. Convey earned his first full international cap a year later, entering the game as a sub against Mexico.

Convey not only served as captain of the US Under-20 team at the 2003 World Youth Cup in the United Arab Emirates, he also joined the full national team for the Confederations Cup in France.

In 2006, Bruce Arena included Convey on his 23-man roster for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. Convey played in all three group games, starting against the Czech Republic and Italy, serving in the free kick that led to the tying goal against the eventual World Champions. Convey currently has 46 caps for the United States.

Sporting Kansas City announced today that they have acquired Paulo Nagamura from Chivas USA. In return, the Goats will receive a first-round selection in the 2012 Supplemental Draft.

Nagamura has appeared in 99 matches for Chivas USA over the last five years, scoring 11 goals. In return for the 28-year-old Brazilian, Chivas USA will receive the first-round pick in the Supplemental Draft that was originally sent to Sporting KC last week in a trade for midfielder Ryan Smith.

Sporting KC retains their natural first-round selection in the Supplemental Draft, as well as the third-round pick in the Supplemental Draft, also acquired in the trade for Smith.

“Paulo Nagamura is a player within the League that we have watched and targeted for a few years,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said in a press release. “We are happy that the timing has worked out, where we could acquire him from Chivas USA. His experience and leadership will be a valuable addition to Sporting Kansas City.”

In the same release, Nagamura said he was looking forward to next season.

“I am very excited to join Sporting Kansas City," Nagamura said. "I watched them the entire year during their run to the conference final and I’m happy to be part of the team, add depth to the midfield and fit right in. I will work 110 percent for the team to help reach our goal of winning championships.”

Born in Brazil, Nagamura began his career with Sao Paulo FC, moving to Arsenal as an 18-year-old in 2001. He helped Arsenal's under-19 squad to a league title in 2002.

Nagamura joined MLS in 2004, joining the Los Angeles Galaxy and making an immediate impact. He appeared in a total of 54 matches during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He played the entire 120 minutes of the Galaxy's MLS Cup win over the New England Revolution in 2005, also helping the club win that year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

In 2007, Toronto FC selected Nagamura in the Expansion Draft and then traded him to Chivas USA. He made 20 starts for the Goats in their push to an appearance in the 2007 MLS Cup playoffs, where they were eliminated by the then-Kansas City Wizards.

A player who can take on a number of roles in the midfield, Nagamura showed his versatility in 2008, being named Defender of the Year for Chivas USA. He was also nominated for recognition as an All-Star in 2009.

In January of 2010, Nagamura moved to Tigres of the Mexican top division before returning to Chivas USA during the 2010 season.

In a somewhat surprising move, Sporting Kansas City traded team captain Davy Arnaud to the Montreal Impact. Sporting KC will receive defender Seth Sinovic and an undisclosed amount of allocation money.

“After many discussions and considerations, both parties have come to an agreement,” Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. “On behalf of Sporting, we would like to thank Davy for his service with the club and wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.”

The 31-year-old midfielder was acquired in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft from West Texas A&M. Arnaud made 240 regular season appearances for the club, the most in team history. Arnaud tallied 43 goals and added 35 assists, ranking second and third—most on the team's scoring charts.

Arnaud also helped the club win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and reach the MLS Cup final in 2004.

“I am very thankful to Sporting Kansas City, the organization and the fans," Arnaud said. "I made this my home for 10 years and am so proud to have been a part of the great soccer growth in Kansas City. I look forward to my next challenge and playing in Montreal, but will never forget the wonderful times we shared here.”

In 2011, Arnaud started 16 of his 22 appearances and tallied just two assists, the fewest since his rookie year. Sports hernia surgery interrupted his season in July.

In exchange for Arnaud, Sporting KC re-acquires Sinovic, selected by the Impact in the Expansion Draft on November 23rd.

A native of Leawood, Kan., Sinovic spent the 2010 season with the New England Revolution. After a short trial with Real Salt Lake, he signed with Sporting KC and made 20 appearances last season, helping push the club to the Eastern Conference final.

"We're very happy to be in a position where we could bring back Seth," Vermes said. "We felt that over the course of last season he developed and became a big part of our team. We put an emphasis on reacquiring Seth and keeping him in his home town."