Starting XI, presented by Ford, 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. Domo Arigato, Cristian Lobato
Sporting Kansas City (10-6-11, 41 points) moved within three points of first place in the Western Conference following a 1-1 draw at Columbus Crew SC (13-12-4, 43 points) on Sunday. Cristian Lobato fired the visitors ahead with his first career MLS goal in the 19th minute, but Ola Kamara equalized on the stroke of halftime to salvage a point for Crew SC in a back-and-forth interconference battle.