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Sporting Kansas City
File:Sportingkansascity.png
Full nameSporting Kansas City [1]
Nickname(s)Sporting, Sporting KC, Wizards, The Wiz, SKC
Swope Park Rangers (reserves)
Founded1995 (as Kansas City Wiz)
GroundLivestrong Sporting Park
Kansas City, Kansas
Capacity18,467
OwnerSporting Club
Head CoachPeter Vermes
LeagueMajor League Soccer
2011Eastern Conference: 1st
Overall: 5th
Playoffs: Conference Finals
Websitehttp://www.sportingkc.com/
Current season

Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas. The club is a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. The club is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception.

For the majority of its first 15 years of existence the team was known as the Kansas City Wizards. The team was renamed in November 2010, coinciding with its move to a new stadium, Livestrong Sporting Park.[2] The club won both the MLS Cup and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2000, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004 and 2012.

History

The early years: 1996–1999

Lamar Hunt, who was founder or co-founder of the American Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chicago Bulls, the United Soccer Association, and Major League Soccer, also founded the team. The Kansas City Wiz played their first game on April 13, 1996, defeating the Colorado Rapids at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wiz players included Preki and Digital Takawira, and were coached by Ron Newman. The team finished 5th with a 17–15 record, qualifying for the first ever MLS Playoffs. For their conference semi-finals, the Wiz beat the Dallas Burn in three games, winning the final game in a shootout. They lost the conference final to Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Wiz changed their name to the "Wizards". For the 1997 Major League Soccer season, their record was 21–11; they won the Western Conference regular season championship. Preki was named MLS MVP. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards lost to the last-seeded Colorado Rapids.

The Wizards had losing records for the 1998 and 1999 seasons, ending up last place in the Western Conference both years. The Wizards fired Ron Newman in the summer and replaced him with Bob Gansler. The Wizards would finish the 1999 season with a disastrous record of 8–24, which put them in last place in the Western Conference once again.

Championship: 2000

In 2000, their first full season under Bob Gansler, the Wizards return to their form from their first two seasons, playing well and having a solid defense. Goalkeeper Tony Meola would record the longest shutout streak in MLS history at 681 minutes. By the end of the season, the Wizards held a record of 16–7–9, the best in the league. In the playoffs, the Wizards defeated the Colorado Rapids, 7 points to 1 in three games. In the conference final, the Wizards would fall behind 4 points to 1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy and their season seemed to be coming to an end. Miklos Molnar scored a penalty kick early in game three to send the series into a tiebreaker, where he scored again to send the Wizards to their first MLS Cup. At RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Wizards, with the league's best defense, tried to prove that defense wins championships by beating the team with the league's best offense, the Chicago Fire. The Wizards would lead early on an 11th minute goal by Miklos Molnar. The Chicago Fire would put together an onslaught of scoring opportunities, putting 10 shots on goal, including 3 in the final 10 minutes. But Tony Meola stopped every one of them and the defense barely held on to the lead as time ran out on the Chicago Fire. A year after not even making double-digits in wins, the Wizards amazingly turned it around and claimed their first MLS Cup Championship.

Post-Championship struggles: 2001–2002

After the loss of Preki to the Miami Fusion, the team struggled to defend their championship in 2001, making the playoffs as the 8th seed with a record of 11–13–3. In the first round, the Wizards' reign as champion ended with a 6 points to 3 loss to Preki and the Miami Fusion. Despite getting back Preki, the Wizards sat in last place in the Western Conference in 2002. They made the playoffs with a record of 9–10–9. The last two teams in the East, the MetroStars and D.C. United missed the playoffs, which propelled the Wizards into the playoffs. In the first round, the team would fall, 6 points to 3 to eventual champions, Los Angeles Galaxy.

More success: 2003–2004

Jimmy Conrad was an integral part of Kansas City's team from 2003 to 2010

The Wizards would return to the top half of the West in 2003 with a record of 11–10–9. In the first round, the Wizards would defeat the Colorado Rapids in the aggregate goal series, 3–1. That set up a one-game showdown with the San Jose Earthquakes the winner would advance to the 2003 MLS Cup. The Wizards would twice take the lead, but twice, the Earthquakes battled back and forced golden goal in overtime by Landon Donovan in the 117th minute, which sent his team to the 2003 MLS Cup and the Wizards home.

Looking to build on their momentum from the previous year, the Wizards would start out 2004 mediocre before turning around in the summer and contending for the conference championship. The Wizards lost only 2 games in September and finished the season on a 6 game unbeaten streak to finish 14–9–9, for the Western Conference regular season championship. The season was not without controversy, though, as goalkeeper Tony Meola, an American soccer goalkeeping legend that had been on the USA national team roster for three World Cups, went down with injury and backup Bo Oshoniyi would fill as a replacement. Once the playoffs started, Meola had healed, but Oshoniyi was still in goal. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards would lose the first game to defending champions San Jose Earthquakes, 2–0, putting in a seemingly impossible situation to score 3 goals and concede none in game 2 of aggregate goal series. However, amazingly, the Wizards did just that by scoring 2 goals in the first half, while little known Jack Jewsbury scored the deciding goal in second half stoppage time to move KC onto the conference final for the second year in a row. In that game, the Wizards would easily hold off the Los Angeles Galaxy on two Davy Arnaud goals to send the Wizards to their second MLS Cup. The Wizards provided the stadium area championship feeling as they went up against D.C. United at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California as Bo Oshoniyi got the starting in goal. The Wizards would get off to a great start as Jose Burciaga caught United unprepared as he scored a long range goal in the 6th minute. However, DC United's Alecko Eskandarian scored 2 goals for his squad in the 19th and 23rd minutes respectively. Things would go from bad to worse in the 26th minute for the Wizards as Alex Zotinca committed an own goal. KC was given a lifeline in the 58th minute as DC's Dema Kovalenko was expelled from the match for a handball in the penalty area and Josh Wolff scored the first penalty kick conversion in MLS Cup history. The Wizards hoped that that would propel them to more goals as they put 10 shots on goal. However it would not be enough as their season ended with a disappointing 3–2 loss at the hands of DC United.

Move to the East: 2005–2010

Following expansion, the Wizards moved to the Eastern Conference in 2005. The team won just two of its first seven games. After going through a summer filled with mostly ties and losses, a four game winning streak at the end of August helped get them back in the playoff race. In the end, it was not enough as the Wizards did not win another game to find themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in with a record of 11–9–12. After the season, the team's veteran leader, Preki announced his retirement.

Following a 2006 season in which they missed the playoffs, Lamar Hunt sold the club in August 2006 to OnGoal, LLC, a six-man ownership group led by Cerner Corporation co-founders Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig, a local group committed to keeping the Wizards in Kansas City. Despite the good news off the field, and winning four out of five games to start the season, the Wizards just missed out on a playoff berth with a loss to the New York Red Bulls on the final day, finishing with a 10–14–8 record.

After Hunt died, the club dedicated the 2007 season to him. A good start earned them four wins in the first seven weeks of the season. The club also picked up goalkeeper Kevin Hartman from Los Angeles Galaxy as a move to help the club with that position. But after a good start to the season, the Wizards tapered off near the end of the season, winning just four games after the All-Star break and finished fifth in the East at 11–12–7. The club shifted over to the West as a result of a playoff format change, the Wizards played against Chivas USA. With the Wizards Davy Arnaud's goal in the first game to win the series as the defense and Kevin Hartman did the rest and kept Chivas USA off the scoreboard. In the conference final the Wizards would come up short to the Houston Dynamo, 2–0.

The Wizards played their home games at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas in 2008, and ended a four year playoff drought by posting an 11–10–9 record, which was good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Facing the Columbus Crew who captured the MLS Supporter's Shield for the best record in the MLS, the Wizards had a strong showing, earning a 1–1 tie in Game 1 of the first round series. However, with a 2–0 loss in Game 2 the Wizards lost the aggregate series 3–1. In the 2009 season, the Wizards remained at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, but struggled offensively. They went 427 minutes without scoring a goal (the longest streak of offensive impotence of the season). The most telling stat of all though for the Wizards was their record at home, which was the worst in the league. Plus, they were 0–13–3 when giving up the first goal. By the end of season, they were third to last in the league standings. Top players were Claudio López (8 goals & 7 assists) and Josh Wolff (11 goals) who sparked the Wizards offense.

In 2010, a rebuilding year, the Wizards finished third in the Eastern Conference and narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs.

Rebranding: 2011–present

With the rebranding, the team follows a recent tradition in MLS of adopting European-style names. Other teams with such names include Toronto FC, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. The "Sporting" moniker implies that the soccer club will be part of a larger sports umbrella, in similarity to clubs in Europe. At the rebrand announcement, the team's president announced plans to add a rugby club and lacrosse club.[citation needed] The re-branding was met with both excitement and disdain. The name "Wizards" is still used as an informal nickname for the club. With the opening of the new Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, Sporting Kansas City became the first major-league team to have played in stadiums on both sides of the state line in Kansas City, and may continue to use Arrowhead Stadium for special-occasion games, such as those against well-known international teams. An example of this practice was the Wizards' 2010 game (and victory) against Manchester United at Arrowhead Stadium, which was also the first professional sporting match held at the venue after its renovations.

Because Livestrong Sporting Park was not ready for the beginning of the 2011 season, Sporting Kansas City played its first ten games on the road, only winning one game. Once the road trip was over, the team found more success and ended the regular season with the most points of any Eastern Conference team. After defeating the Colorado Rapids on a 4–0 aggregate in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Sporting lost to the Houston Dynamo by a score of 2–0 in the Eastern Conference finals. At the beginning of the 2012 season Sporting started a perfect 7–0–0, and with the new addition of players such as Bobby Convey the team has remained on top of the league, setting an MLS record for most minutes played without allowing a shot on goal. Kei Kamara, Graham Zusi, and C. J. Sapong have all had great seasons so far. [3]

Colors and badge

Aurélien Collin wearing Sporting's primary kit.
Teal Bunbury wearing Sporting's secondary kit.

Sporting Kansas City's official colors are dark indigo and "Sporting" blue. The primary logo is composed of a teardrop-shaped shield containing a stylized representation of the Kansas-Missouri state line with "Sporting" blue stripes on the "Kansas" side and an interlocking "SC" on the "Missouri" side. The shield's contour alludes to the team's former logo while under the "Kansas City Wizards" appellation. The stateline represents Sporting's fanbase in both of the Kansas and Missouri metropolitan areas called "Kansas City." The eleven individual lines comprising the stateline are a nod to the number of players a team places on the field during a soccer match. The "SC" (for Sporting Club) is inspired by Asclepius' rod representing health and fitness, a Greek statue called the Winged Victory of Samothrace – alluding to strength and movement, and to the Spanish architecture of Kansas City's Country Club Plaza.[4]

Stadiums

Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards' home for over a decade.

From 1996 to 2007, the Wizards played home games in Arrowhead Stadium, the American football stadium mainly used by the Kansas City Chiefs. Wizards management kept the west end of Arrowhead tarped off for the first 10 years of play, limiting seating near the field. In 2006, fans could sit all the way around the field, but in 2007 seating was only available along the sidelines. After the 2007 final season at Arrowhead, the Wizards continued to use the stadium for select large events. In 2008, the club played a regular season home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the stadium to accommodate the large crowd expected for David Beckham's Galaxy debut. Again in 2010, the Wizards played a friendly here against English club Manchester United, winning 2–1.

The Wizards entered an agreement with the Kansas City T-Bones to use their home stadium, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The deal was later extended to include 2010. The stadium, located across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, built a new bleacher section financed by the Wizards to increase its capacity to 10,385. This move made the Wizards the third MLS team to share their home ground with a baseball team. D.C. United had been sharing RFK Stadium with Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C., before the latter's move into Nationals Park. The San Jose Earthquakes used Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, home of the Oakland A's (and Oakland Raiders), for certain games during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Livestrong Sporting Park, 2011.

The Wizards originally planned to return to Kansas City, Missouri, and build a new stadium there – tentatively called Trails Stadium – as part of a major mixed-use development. The team had received all required approvals and was awaiting site demolition; however, the 2008–09 financial crisis ultimately led to the scrapping of the Trails Stadium project. The developer then sought a new site, quickly settling on a similar development in Kansas City, Kansas, known as Village West, near CommunityAmerica Ballpark and Kansas Speedway.

In September 2009, the developer asked Wyandotte County and Kansas state officials for permission to use revenues from existing tax increment financing in the Village West area to help finance the soccer complex.[5] On December 17, Wizards president Robb Heineman provided an update on the stadium situation published on team official website and blog,[6][7] basically identifying the Kansas City, Kansas, location as final, pending the signature of the final agreements. On December 21, construction machinery was already on the Legends site waiting to break ground.[8][9] On January 19, 2010, Wyandotte County approved the bonds to help finance the stadium,[10] and on January 20 the groundbreaking ceremony was made, with Wizards CEO Robb Heineman using heavy machinery to move dirt on the construction site.[11]

Club culture

Supporters

The main supporters group of Sporting Kansas City cheers in the Member's Stand on the North side of Livestrong Park and is known as "The Cauldron".[12] The name is derived from the large metal pots used for boiling potions, due to the teams former name Wizards. Since the rebranding in 2010, Sporting have seen dramatic growth in their fan section, with several fan groups adding their voice to The Cauldron culture and atmosphere.[12]

Historically, the largest supporters group was known as "Hillcrest Syndicate".[citation needed] The group derives its name from Hillcrest Road which is the road on which the Trails Stadium would have been built if the project had not fallen through and then shifted to Kansas. Other groups – such as La Barra KC, Southern Voodoo, King City Yardbirds, The BSE, James Gang SKC, Mass Street Mob, KC Futbol Misfits, Sporting Militia – are also currently a part of The Cauldron.[13] After a strong presence in 2007 and 2008, the Sudakas have largely faded from the section, although some chants remain in use.

In late 2011, a new independent supporter group South Stand SC formed to represent the opposite stand from the Cauldron. Similar to the Cauldron, there are multiple sub-groups within the South Stand SC including the Wedge, Boulevard Battery and Ad Astra SKC.[citation needed]

With Sportings rise in popularity in the Kansas City area following the 2011 MLS season, several new supporters groups started up in 2012. The Ladies of SKC, Northland Noise SG, Omaha Boys and others have gained many supporters and have been officially recognized by Sporting KC. See Sporting KC http://www.sportingkc.com/members/supporters

Broadcasting

Matches are broadcast in high definition on KSMO-TV (except for nationally broadcast matches). The play-by-play announcer is former BBC Radio commentator Callum Williams who began broadcasting with the 2011 season. Former Wizard/Sporting Kansas City player Sasha Victorine provided color commentary in the beginning of 2011 but stepped down to spend more time with family. Color commentary is currently being covered by Jake Yadrich.

There is currently no regular local radio coverage in English except for occasional broadcasts on WHB 810AM when television broadcasts of MLS games on KSMO-TV is not available. Spanish broadcasting can be found on KDTD 1340AM.

Players and staff

Current roster

No. Position Player Nation
1 GK Jimmy Nielsen (Captain)  Denmark
2 DF Michael Harrington  United States
3 DF Korede Aiyegbusi  England
4 DF Kevin Ellis (HGP)  United States
5 DF Matt Besler  United States
6 MF Paulo Nagamura  Brazil
7 DF Chance Myers  United States
8 MF Graham Zusi  United States
9 FW Teal Bunbury  United States
11 MF Bobby Convey  United States
12 MF Konrad Warzycha  Poland
13 MF Lawrence Olum  Kenya
14 FW Dom Dwyer (GA)  England
15 MF Roger Espinoza  Honduras
16 DF Seth Sinovic  United States
17 FW C. J. Sapong  United States
18 GK Eric Kronberg  United States
19 MF Peterson Joseph  Haiti
20 MF Uri  Spain
21 GK Jon Kempin (HGP)  United States
22 FW Soony Saad  Lebanon
23 FW Kei Kamara  Sierra Leone
24 DF Cyprian Hedrick  Cameroon
25 DF Neven Marković  Bosnia and Herzegovina
27 DF Kyle Miller  United States
37 MF Jacob Peterson  United States
55 DF Júlio César  Brazil
78 DF Aurélien Collin  France
88 MF Michael Thomas  United States

Notable former players

This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

Head coaches

Peter Vermes, Sporting's head coach since 2009, is also a former player for the club who was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2000.

General managers

Presidents

Achievements

Record

Year-by-year

Year MLS Reg. Season MLS Cup Playoffs Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions' Cup/Champions League
1996 3rd, West Semi-Finals Quarter-Finals Did not qualify
1997 1st, West Quarter-Finals Round of 16 Did not qualify
1998 6th, West Did not qualify Round of 16 Did not qualify
1999 6th, West Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify
2000 1st, West* Champions Round of 32 Did not qualify
2001 3rd, West Quarter-Finals Round of 16 Not held
2002 5th, West Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals Semi-Finals
2003 2nd, West Semi-Finals Round of 16 Did not qualify
2004 1st, West Runners-up Champions Did not qualify
2005 5th, East Did not qualify Quarter-Finals Quarter-Finals
2006 5th, East Did not qualify Round of 16 Did not qualify
2007 5th, East Semi-Finals** Did not qualify Did not qualify
2008 4th, East Quarter-Finals Quarter-Finals Did not qualify
2009 6th, East Did not qualify Quarter-Finals Did not qualify
2010 3rd, East Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify
2011 1st, East Semi-Finals Quarter-Finals Did not qualify
2012 In progress TBD Champions Did not qualify
2013 TBD TBD Qualified for third round Qualified for Group Stage (13–14)

International tournaments

Group Stage v. Peru Sporting Cristal – 1:2
Group Stage v. Mexico Santos Laguna – 2:4
Group Stage v. Ecuador Barcelona – 3:2
Group Stage v. Peru Sporting Cristal – 1:2
Group Stage v. Ecuador Barcelona – 1:1
Group Stage v. Mexico Santos Laguna – 0:1
First Round v. Trinidad and Tobago W Connection – 1:0, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:0 on aggregate)
Quarter-Finals v. Mexico Santos Laguna – 1:2, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:2 on aggregate)
Semi-Finals v. Mexico Monarcas Morelia – 1:6, 1:1 (Morelia advances 7:2 on aggregate)
First Round v. Costa Rica Deportivo Saprissa – 0:0, 1:2 (Saprissa advances 2:1 on aggregate after added extra time)
Group Stage v. Mexico Atlas – 0:0
Group Stage v. United States New England Revolution – 1:1
Group Stage v. Mexico Santos Laguna – 1:3

Team records

MLS regular season only[14]

  • All-Time regular season record: 201–200–100 (Through May 2, 2012)

Average attendance

As of June 19, 2012: [15]

Year Reg. Season Playoffs
1996 12,878 7,754
1997 9,058 10,174
1998 8,073 DNQ
1999 8,183 DNQ
2000 9,112 8,243
2001 10,954 5,803
2002 12,255 9,484
2003 15,573 10,712
2004 14,816 11,077
2005 9,691 DNQ
2006 11,083 DNQ
2007 11,586 12,442
2008 10,686 10,385
2009 10,053 DNQ
2010 10,287 DNQ
2011 17,810 19,702
2012 19,364 TBD

Notable friendlies

July 25, 2010 Kansas City Wizards 2–1 Manchester United Kansas City, Missouri
5:00PM Arnaud 11'
Conrad Red card 39'
Kamara 42'Yellow card 43'		 report Giggs Yellow card 33'
Berbatov 41' (pen.)
Gibson Yellow card 63'		 Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium
Attendance: 52,424
Referee: Terry Vaughn
July 20, 2011 Sporting Kansas City 0–0 Newcastle United Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT Report Stadium: Livestrong Sporting Park
Attendance: 16,131
October 12, 2011 Sporting Kansas City 2–2 C.D. Guadalajara Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT Saad 75'
Ellis 86'		 Report Fabian 20' (pen.)
Torres 88'		 Stadium: Livestrong Sporting Park
Attendance: 17,142
July 24, 2012 Sporting Kansas City 0-3 Montpellier HSC Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT Report Stadium: Livestrong Sporting Park
Attendance: 14,769
August 1, 2012 Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Stoke City F.C. Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT Miller 92+' Report Tonge 84' (pen.) Stadium: Livestrong Sporting Park
Attendance: 16,197

References

  1. ^ "Explore The New Brand at Sporting Kansas City Website". Insightkc.com. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  2. ^ POSTED: 4:20 pm CST November 17, 2010 (2010-11-17). "Kansas City Wizards Change Name To Sporting Kansas City". Kmbc.com. Retrieved 2011-12-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Saturday, October 22, 2011 Sporting Kansas City - D.C. United Box Scores, Game Results & Summary - USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. 2011-10-22. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  4. ^ "Sporting Kansas City: Explore Our Brand". Insightkc.com. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  5. ^ Kansas adjusts offer aimed at spurring Cerner, Wizards development near speedway, The Kansas City Star, December 08, 2009.
  6. ^ Heineman provides stadium update, KC Wizards Official Website.
  7. ^ Hillcrest Road – RH Stadium Update, OnGoal CEO/Wizards President Robb Heineman gives an update on the progress of the stadium project.
  8. ^ Hillcrest Road – Yellow Machines on Site, Equipment from Clarkson Construction showed up at the future site of the stadium in KCK.
  9. ^ Work starts on Kansas City Wizards stadium, Kansas City Business Journal – by Rob Roberts.
  10. ^ Stadium Approval News, KC Wizards Official Website.
  11. ^ Stadium Ground Breaking, Wizards Official Blog.
  12. ^ a b "Sporting Kansas City Supporters". Sporting Kansas City Official Website.
  13. ^ "Supporters – Sporting Kansas City". Sporting Kansas City Official Website.
  14. ^ "All-Time Records Sporting Kansas City". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  15. ^ "Club Attendance Report". Sportingkc.com. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
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