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. Salt Lake Stalemate
Ike Opara’s 52nd-minute header helped Sporting KC (15-8-7, 52 points) to a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake (13-11-7, 46 points) on Sunday at Children’s Mercy Park. Rookie forward Corey Baird had fired the visitors ahead in the ninth minute before Opara restored parity early in the second half, effectively splitting the points in a tense battle between Western Conference rivals.