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. Halfway There
Sporting secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over Mexican club Deportivo Toluca FC on Thursday night in the first leg of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16. Krisztian Nemeth, Gerso Fernandes and Ilie Sanchez provided the goals on a crisp winter evening at Children’s Mercy Park as Sporting became the second American team since the dawn of the Champions League in 1962 to defeat a Mexican opponent by three goals.