Tonight, the Chicago Fire take on Sporting Kansas City in the grand opening of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park at 9pm CT (ESPN2, LIVE CHAT).
The $200 million facility features a locker room fit for a king, beautiful club restaurant, and a post-game night club for fans. Jackie Pickering and Sporting KC defender Matt Besler show off the state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium on MLSsoccer.com. Plus, check out the plaza where all of the pre-game events will take place.
As the name of the stadium suggests, Sporting KC is eager to partner with Livestrong, Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting Livestrong Foundation, which funds cancer research and supports cancer survivors. The club agreed in March to donate $7.5 million to the foundation over the next six years.
The Fire learned their lesson from the first stadium opener in 2011, where they lost 4-2 in the Portland Timber's home debut at JELD-WEN field. Defender Gonzalo Segares says "mentally we were not ready for the way in which they came out at us."
The Fire are looking to spoil Sporting KC's home-opener. Corben Bone says he's excited for to play in the new venue, but believes that "if we step out there and play our game ... in the first 15 minutes, I think we can calm the crowd down."
Interim Head Coach Frank Klopas says in order to combat the energy that Sporting KC will undoubtedly bring to the first few minutes of the game, the Fire will need their concentration level at 100% immediately after the first whistle. Klopas' return to Kansas City is somewhat special, considering he began his career in Kansas City before joining the expansion Fire as a player in 1998.
Klopas also says that he was happy with what he saw on Saturday, when the Fire played to a 0-0 draw against Seattle. Despite finishing with another tie, Klopas knows the team is headed in the right direction. It was the collaborative efforts of Daniel Paladini and Corben Bone that put together an inspiring performance against Seattle.
Patrick Nyarko is available again after missing a month of games with his third concussion. The winger from Ghana is hoping to add a much-needed spark to the Fire.
Tonight, the Fire look to end its winless streak against the one team it has beaten this season. Kansas City is finally playing at home after a record 10-game road trip to start the season.
Live coverage from LIVESTRONG Sporting Park starts at 9pm CT on ESPN2.
