A petition to the league office pulled the first thread on Sporting Kansas City’s season, coach Peter Vermes requesting an extra week of practice. Over the ensuing month, the club installed a new preseason format, a new home field and a new heating system underneath it. All of it in preparation for a late-February season opener.
The team was ready, too.
Sporting Kansas City pounced Mexican side Deportivo Toluca 3-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 series at Children’s Mercy Park on Thursday night.
A historic win, it turns out.