Starting XI, presented by StorageMart, 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. Timely Intervention
Top-seeded Sporting KC opened their 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs campaign with a 1-1 road result at No. 6 seed Real Salt Lake on Sunday in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals. Chilean international Diego Rubio scored the game-tying goal 38 seconds after entering the match as a second-half substitute in the 60th minute to send the home-and-away series back to Kansas City on level terms.