Sporting KC Tickets Against USL Expansion Team More Expensive Than MLS Game

Sporting Kansas City’s current unbeaten streak takes a long break, as their next matchup doesn’t take place until June 21 against Real Salt Lake. The club’s last loss was on April 18 to the Los Angeles Galaxy, and since then, the team had a draw against the Houston Dynamo, a win against Chicago Fire, a draw against DC United, a win against New England Revolution, a draw against Seattle Sounders FC, a win against FC Dallas and a win against Seattle again.

Before Sporting KC tries to increase their impressive streak to eight straight games, they have a 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fourth-round matchup against USL expansion team St. Louis FC.

According to SeatSmart.com, tickets on the secondary market for Sporting KC are more expensive for the team’s Open Cup game compared to their regular season MLS contest. On June 16, the average ticket price against St. Louis FC is $47, with a get-in price of $18. Five days later, when Sporting KC returns to MLS action, the average ticket price is $31 with a get-in price of $12 at Rio Tinto Stadium. With Real Salt Lake being one of the worst teams, currently ranked ninth out of ten, it’s probable that any game, no matter the opponent, would have a higher average ticket price at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Missouri compared to Salt Lake City, Utah. The data gathered by SeatSmart certainly supports this sentiment.

The U.S. Open Cup has its largest field in the modern era (1995-present) with 89 teams. With 32 teams remaining, Sporting Kansas City is looking to capture its third trophy, which it hasn’t won since 2012. It’s the first competitive meeting between Sporting KC and any club from St. Louis in franchise history.

As touched on, when Sporting KC returns to its MLS regular season, the club shouldn’t have a problem competing with Real Salt Lake. In one less game played, Sporting KC has scored five more goals and has conceded three fewer. Sporting KC will have to win the games against the teams in the bottom of the conference to earn the No. 1 seed for the Western Conference playoffs.

Currently, Sporting KC is two points behind Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Sporting KC leads the MLS in goals scored up this point.