Sporting KC notes: FC Kansas City honored at halftime

Kansas City has been home to a pair of title-winning soccer clubs over the last two seasons.

Sporting Kansas City honored its National Women’s Soccer League counterpart, FC Kansas City, at halftime of Saturday’s match against the Portland Timbers.

FCKC won the 2014 NWSL title with a 2-1 victory over Seattle Reign FC in last season’s championship game.

The Blues open their 2015 season at 3 p.m. on April 12 against Sky Blue FC at Sporting Park. It will be the club’s first appearance at Sporting KC’s home venue.

The rest of FCKC’s home matches will be played at Swope Soccer Village, the club’s third home site in as many seasons.

It played at Shawnee Mission North District Stadium two years ago, and UMKC’s Durwood Stadium last year.

The Blues feature four U.S. Women’s National Team players who will compete in this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Familiar face, fresh face

Sporting KC captain and U.S. Men’s National Team defender Matt Besler was back in the starting lineup on Saturday night.

Besler missed the club’s 3-1 loss at FC Dallas last week after picking up two yellow cards and being ejected from the season-opening match against the New York Red Bulls.

Saturday marked Besler’s 183rd appearance for Sporting KC, which puts him in a tie for eighth place with Matt McKeon on the club’s all-time list.

Besler was joined on the backline by Jalil Anibaba, who made his Sporting KC debut.

Anibaba played previously for Chicago and Seattle. He was acquired by Orlando City in the expansion draft and traded to Sporting KC in the deal that sent Aurelien Collin to Orlando City.

March to victory

Sporting KC is 5-0-4 record at home in March since 2009. Defense has a lot to do with the club’s early-season success at home.

Sporting KC has allowed just three goals in 540 minutes over that stretch.

This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Sporting KC notes: FC Kansas City honored at halftime."