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. Desert Diamond Debut
Sporting KC fans, you’re about to get that sweet dose of soccer you’ve been craving for months. The team will play its Desert Diamond Cup opener on Wednesday at noon against the Colorado Rapids, with a live stream available on SportingKC.com and FOX Sports GO. With new faces representing one third of the team, the game marks the first opportunity for fans to watch the new talent in action after Sporting KC’s first two preseason games were covered on Twitter.