FC Kansas City has a new home, and a new partner. One day after their home opener was announced with a TBD for the date/time, we find out the reason why. The Blues have entered into a partnership with Sporting Kansas City that will see the team move their home venue to the Championship stadium at the Swope Soccer Village in Swope Park. The partnership will also see FCKC play at least one regular season game at Sporting Park as well as playoff games at the facility as well. The pair are in negotiations to host FCKC's home opener at Sporting Park. With SKC set to take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 11th at 7:30pm, a double header with FCKC's home opener against Sky Blue FC would make for a fun afternoon/evening of soccer.
Overall though this is a great move for the Blues ahead of the 2015 season. They get to train at the Swope Complex, where Sporting currently trains, which will be an upgrade over their facilities they've used the past two years. They'll also now be playing games on a natural grass surface, which is something that can't be played down enough. They'll become only the fourth team in the nine team league to play on a grass surface, something that players with the US women's national team and other players have been arguing for ahead of this summer's women's World Cup in Canada. So that will be a major plus for the women. Then there's the games at Sporting Park, which I'm sure will get plenty of push from not just the Blues but Sporting as well.
After three stadiums in now three years, hopefully this move for the Blues last for a while, or until the need arises for them to play every game at Sporting Park as the Portland Thorns do.
Overall though this is a great move for the Blues ahead of the 2015 season. They get to train at the Swope Complex, where Sporting currently trains, which will be an upgrade over their facilities they've used the past two years. They'll also now be playing games on a natural grass surface, which is something that can't be played down enough. They'll become only the fourth team in the nine team league to play on a grass surface, something that players with the US women's national team and other players have been arguing for ahead of this summer's women's World Cup in Canada. So that will be a major plus for the women. Then there's the games at Sporting Park, which I'm sure will get plenty of push from not just the Blues but Sporting as well.
After three stadiums in now three years, hopefully this move for the Blues last for a while, or until the need arises for them to play every game at Sporting Park as the Portland Thorns do.
What is the capacity of the championship field...will they be adding seating? Excellent news
ReplyDeleteI'm not as optimistic. Last year's move away from Johnson County saw a dropoff in attendance. I think Swope Park is an even a less convenient location. Hope I'm wrong. I think a similar setup at the Overland Park Soccer Complex would draw more fans.
ReplyDeleteAnon1 I believe the capacity is like 1500 or so, they're bringing in extra seating.
ReplyDeleteAnon 2 The problem with the OP complex is that they don't have a field close to the capacity of the championship field before bringing in extra bleachers. They'd have to take a youth field and do that set up. And that'd look far less professional. And don't down play the grass surface
they really shouldn't have moved away from SM north. but this move seems better than last one, and generally the more partnership with SKC the better for them.
ReplyDeleteDouble headers can be a lot of fun. I once was making a business trip to the San Jose area. I got to see the USWNT v. Mexico followed by the Earthquakes v. the Revs. What a great day of soccer. So, I am hoping we will see a few DHs spread through the season.
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