If you and your family are big soccer fans, or even come from a long line of die-hard soccer fans traveling far and wide to see your favorite teams play, then there’s a new club you should see. Sporting Kansas City, the Major League Soccer team that calls Children’s Mercy Park home, will be playing in a high stakes match in just a couple of days in Kansas City, MO.
Seeing SKC play is the perfect Midwestern mini-vacation. You and your family should plan to stay a few days and spend some time seeing the sights of Kansas City while you are there catching the game.
A Brief History of Sporting KC
Sporting KC, also known as the Kansas City Wiz or Kansas City Wizards, is a soccer club founded in October of 1995. They were one of the founding franchises of Major League Soccer. The team began playing in April 1996, with Head Coach Ron Newman and star midfielder Preki. From 1997-2000, the team would compete against other teams in MLS, but ultimately fail to score any major wins until 2000, when they won both the Supporter’s Sheild and the 2000 MLS Cup. This season would mark the team’s rise to fame as Tony Meola was named Goalkeeper of the Year, Peter Vermes won MLS Defender of the Year, and Bob Gansler won MLS Coach of the Year. They would go on to win the Cup again in 2004, 2012, 2015, and 2017. 2020 marks the 25th anniversary for Sporting KC.
You’ve Got to See It to Believe It
MLS truly is a marvel of sporting entertainment, representing a tradition that has come from across the globe. Very few people thought soccer would become popular in the U.S. as it has in other countries of the world, but it has, sustaining itself for 25 years with its own brands and talent. The league draws players from all around the world, building upon the league’s long-standing traditions. Its popularity is also marked by the addition of the 25th and 26th teams to MLS, plus a continued competitive presence over 46 matches broadcasted across various networks.
Sports fans should make a point to visit Kansas City to catch a Sporting KC match. They are one of the original teams of MLS, and have maintained a consistently high standard for 25 years. They are currently vying for the top spot, with good prospects to go further in the season—possibly even winning the 2020 MLS Cup. They have several games played in Kansas City throughout the year, starting in May and through October.
What Else to Do
While going to Kansas City to watch a Sporting KC game, you should make the trip a whole weekend. Sporting KC is not the only attraction Kansas City is known for, and you should experience the most the city has to offer. If you are an overall sports fan, you should visit the College Basketball Experience, a basketball hall of fame in Kansas City filled with memorabilia that a sports fan will appreciate. And while you are in the city with your family, you should visit The Worlds of Fun theme park, a park filled with wonders for all ages to enjoy.
Where to Stay
When making the trip to Kansas City to see a Sporting KC game and the various tourist attractions, you will need a place to stay during your visit. There are several options available within the area that you can choose from. Two of the best options are the Hyatt Place Kansas City/Lenexa City Center and the Candlewood Suites. The Hyatt is a pet friendly hotel in Lenexa, KS near Mercy Park, with free parking, free breakfast for members, free internet access, a fitness center, a pool, a restaurant, and it allows pets such as dogs. The Candlewood Suites is a hotel with free internet, a gym, free parking, books and movies for children, and complimentary instant coffee.
Can’t Miss Eats
An often underrated and overlooked aspect of visiting Kansas City is the excellent food. There are several places to get something to eat in Kansas City, each renowned for their various satisfying palettes and leaving people awestruck over the cuisine of the city. The Fox and Pearl is one of these places to eat, a one of a kind restaurant representing the best the Midwest has to offer, with servings of smoked goat chorizo, whole grilled trout, and braised short rib that will not fail to impress you. PotPie is another spot. It’s known for homestyle Midwestern food like the pan-fried chicken confit that will satisfy even the most discerning of tastes and give you a genuine appreciation of what Kansas City can offer in the ways of food.
Make a Trip to Kansas City
Kansas City has much to offer to anyone who wishes to partake in some Midwestern culture. Sports fans, amusement park fans, food fans, fans of all shapes and sizes, really, would appreciate what the city has to offer. And with its various and impressive accommodations to stay at, your trip to Kansas City will be an enjoyable one you can brag to all of your friends. It is truly a sight to see, offering everything you can want in one city, waiting for you to come to enjoy it all.
*Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this event may get canceled. Please check on the event’s website for further details.
