A little over a year ago, at the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star game, Sporting Kansas City dubbed Kansas City the “Soccer Capital of America”. At the time it seemed like a very audacious statement, but if this past year is any indication they might not have been far off.
It all began on a freezing cold day last December when Sporting Kansas City defeated Salt Lake City to claim the 2014 MLS championship. This was Kansas City’s first championship since 2000. Over 21,000 thousand people attended the game and stayed for the longest, coldest championship game on record.
Then in March of 2014 the Missouri Comets won the Major Indoor League Soccer (MILS) championship. Unfortunately, this was the last championship of the MILS because the league folded after the 2014 season. But not to worry the Comets are now playing in the Major Arena Soccer League and play their games at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri.
Finally, it was the women’s turn. In only the second season of the National Women’s Soccer League FC Kansas City defeated the Seattle Reign to capture it first NWSL title. A little under 5,000 spectators watched the game which was played in Seattle, Washington.
Calling Kansas City the “Soccer Capital of America” brings about a lot of debate in the soccer community. Everyone has their own opinions, but for one city to own the men’s, women’s and indoor championships all in the same year is an extraordinary feat. One that I believe gives Kansas City the right to call itself the “Soccer Capital of America”, at least in 2014.
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