Starting XI is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.
1. Raise the Curtains
Sporting Kansas City opened its preseason slate of games with a narrow 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Thirty players were involved for Sporting KC, allowing Manager Peter Vermes the opportunity to assess international newcomers Latif Blessing and Gerso Fernandes, along with domestic signings Cameron Iwasa and Christian Volesky, for the first time.