Pokey Chatman supports Elena Delle Donne for MVP

Elena Delle Donne for MVP? Sky coach Pokey Chatman emphatically says yes.

“The numbers, the efficiency, the team, scoring, rebounding, efficiency…I shouldn’t have to campaign. I would say that if she were not on my team,” Chatman told reporters Sunday. “(Minnesota’s) Maya (Moore) is great; Elena happens to lead the league in scoring and is second in rebounding. It’s really about Elena and not any other player.”

Delle Donne was more diplomatic.

“I always let my game speak for itself,” Delle Donne said. “If the numbers and accolades come, then great. But, I’m worried about this team and that’s all I care about.”

Playoff soccer

The Red Stars will host their playoff semifinal against FC Kansas City at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park. The Red Stars finished the season with 33 points, second behind Seattle.

The match will be televised live by Fox Sports 1, which explains the less-than-ideal time slot opposite the Bears. General manager Alyse LaHue acknowledged that Monday by tweeting: “And for the record we know 12:30p on a Sunday in Chicago is an awful game time. Unfortunately was not our choice as it pertains to TV”

Seven left

Their 4-3 loss Saturday to Montreal didn’t knock them out of the playoffs, but the math works against the Fire.

Though they’re four points behind the sixth-place Impact for the final Eastern Conference spot, the last-place Fire have played three more games. They haven’t won away from home this season, and four of their remaining seven games are on the road.

Sailing here

On Tuesday at Navy Pier, event executives will announce the dates and unveil renderings for next year’s America’s Cup World Series stop in Chicago.

The World Series is part of the lead-up for the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda, which Chicago competed to host but lost.