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. Atlanta Crowned
A worthy champion was crowned Saturday night at jam-packed Mercedez-Benz Stadium as Atlanta United FC used goals from Josef Martinez and Franco Escobar to sink the Portland Timbers by a 2-0 scoreline and claim the 2018 MLS Cup. Playing before a crowd of 73,019, the largest ever for an MLS Cup, the Five Stripes scored in either half to secure the league title in just their second MLS season.