In K.C., Sam McDowell reports "about 2,000 people" attended MLS Sporting KC's Sporting Takeoff event last night, where the unveiling of the club's new secondary jerseys took place. The jerseys "feature horizontal stripes across the chest" (K.C. STAR, 3/5). Also in K.C., Lisa Gutierrez writes of the jerseys, "This was one of the first snarky reactions: They kinda look like prison uniforms." The jerseys, unveiled as part of MLS' annual Jersey Week, "were well-received by the avid supporters there, who scooped up team merchandise in a heartbeat." Though the adidas jerseys "may look black-and-white in some photos, they are actually in the team’s Sporting Blue and dark indigo colors" (K.C. STAR, 3/5).
DOUBLE THE FUN: In DC, Steven Goff noted the Spain men's national soccer team "will play a friendly against El Salvador at FedEx Field as part of a June 7 doubleheader" that also features a Crew-DC United game. Kickoff times "have not been finalized, but in order to accommodate European TV, the Spain game will begin mid- to late-afternoon." Several World Cup-bound teams have chosen the U.S. for final preparations "because of a similar time zone to Brazil, abundant training facilities and the opportunity to play competitive matches" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/28).
PATRIOT GAMES: Patriots President Jonathan Kraft on Friday at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference said, "We’ll be launching a cloud based scouting app that I think is light years ahead of anything else in the league. That was something that was pushed by us that I think will allow us to collect more data real time in the field, have the draft evaluation process done quicker and sooner, and allow the coaches, if they want to in season, because they’re trying to evaluate a position now and thinking about the next year, (find out) are there going to be guys in the draft?" Kraft added of his family's ownership of the team, "For us, I think we'll check out if the family isn't driven that way, we'll check out of the business. ... Because it's a lousy business to be in if you're not winning. In this business, it's all about winning. If you're not winning, there's plenty of other ways to make money" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/1).
COUGARS STAYING PUT: In British Columbia, Ted Clarke cited sources as saying that the WHL Prince George Cougars "have been sold to local businessman Greg Pocock and a group of investors that includes NHL players" and former WHLers Eric Brewer and Dan Hamhuis. Sources said that the team "was purchased" for close to $7M, and added that the new ownership group "plans to keep the team based in Prince George for at least the next two seasons" (PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN, 3/3).
