Designated Player Omar Bravo made his long-awaited debut with the team and the coaching staff brought in more than a dozen guest trialists for evaluation, including Chad Ochocinco.

Sporting Kansas City began qualification for the 2011 U.S. Open Cup with a 1–0 victory over Houston Dynamo on April 6, 2011.

Sporting KC entered the formal Cup competition in the Third round, defeating the Chicago Fire Premier club 3–0 on June 28, 2011.

They also hosted the Liga MX México Primera División team Club Deportivo Guadalajara on October 12, 2011.

The reserve game on March 28, 2011, against the Kansas City Brass garnered widespread interest due to NFL player Chad Ochocinco appearing for Sporting.

It is believed that Sporting maintains the MLS rights to Herculez Gomez after the player declined a contract offer by the club and instead signed with a non-MLS side.