Kei Kamara earned himself plenty of new admirers during his loan spell at Premier League outfit Norwich City, but Kansas City is sure glad to have him back!

After Kamara’s loan deal ended this weekend, the striker celebrated his KC homecoming by throwing a party at Chipotle. The first 100 fans who showed up were treated to a free dinner and some quality time with Kei, who even handed out some free tickets to Sporting’s next game against Seattle Sounders.

And thus, the hashtag #ChipotlePartyWithKei was born:

Dinner party at Chipotle on the plaza tonite 6:30pm. Leave you piggy bank at home and bring ya empty belly. #ChipotlePartyWithKei

— KEI KAMARA (@keikamara)

May 6, 2013

Emmmmmmmmmmm. #ChipotlePartyWithKei twitter.com/keikamara/stat…

— KEI KAMARA (@keikamara)

May 6, 2013

I don’t mean to brag, but @bigafrika88 just gave me three tickets to the game Wednesday. #chipotlepartywithkei twitter.com/timbo_slice35/…

— Tim O’Toole (@timbo_slice35)

May 6, 2013

Kai! #ChipotlePartyWithKei twitter.com/TZMayes/status…

— T Mayes (@TZMayes)

May 6, 2013

1

Apr

American Soccer Magazines: Overlap

MLS and the folks over at Howler have teamed up to bring North American soccer fans a cool (and free!) digital magazine. The inaugural issue of Overlap is out now at the App Store; the next issue will drop around the league’s All-Star game this summer.

The ‘zine combines Howler’s cutting-edge design with several multimedia features, including interviews with players and some interactive graphics. Features include a profile of Sporting KC’s Graham Zusi and a history of MLS, relative to other North American sports leagues.

Overlap also contains an unintentional nod towards American soccer magazines of the past.When the editor of this website founded the late Kick! Magazine in the 1990s, he asked George Vecsey to write the lead article. Editors Greg Lalas and George Quaraishi had Vecsey write the lead here. Both articles are classics.

3

Feb

Social Media Sleuth

Jurgen Klinsmann may not be releasing the roster for the U.S. men’s national team until Monday, but there are ways of starting to piece together the players called in before the names drop.

For example, yesterday, Sporting KC player Matt Besler tweeted this:

Yes, of course you can sit next to me on my flight this morning. Nothing to worry about, Kaynevia.me/-9d15sjk

February 2, 2013

A quick check of Kim Kardashian’s Twitter account revealed this tweet:

Just touched down in Miami!!! Quick trip but feels good to be here!
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) February 2, 2013

Put the two together and what do you get? Matt Besler in Miami, where the USMNT is gathering before heading to Honduras for their World Cup qualifier.

Who needs a roster when you have social media and detective skills?

4

Nov

Five things to watch: Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo

By Kyle McCarthy

Sporting Kansas City visits Houston this afternoon to start their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Here are five points to watch when the two sides meet at BBVA Compass Stadium:

1. Traveling a difficult road: No MLS side has entered BBVA Compass Stadium and left with a victory since the venue opened earlier this year. Sporting would like to break that drought, but it must focus first and foremost on securing a decent result to avoid creating a difficult task in the second leg at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Wednesday.

2. Is Roger Espinoza fit?: Espinoza drives Sporting’s high-pressure approach from his usual spot in central midfield. He declared himself available after recovering from an ankle injury and Sporting manager Peter Vermes said he expects him to start. Espinoza must influence the game in his usual manner in order to give the visitors a chance to snatch the points.