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. Johnny in the House
Newly acquired winger Johnny Russell visited Children’s Mercy Park for the first time on Wednesday, visiting the world-class venue as well as state-of-the-art Pinnacle after arriving from England, where he has played for Derby County FC since 2013. Russell, a 27-year-old native of Scotland, has now traveled to join Sporting KC in Arizona for preseason training and could make his Desert Diamond Cup debut as early as Saturday when the club faces Phoenix Rising FC at 3 p.