Wizards’ win over Manchester United part of big soccer day for KC
The whistle blew, the first half was over, and just like that, the largest crowd ever to watch a soccer game in Kansas City rose to its feet and cheered.
Based on what they were witnessing at Arrowhead Stadium, the site of so many depressing Wizards games in the past, how could they not?
It was halftime of the Wizards’ much-anticipated exhibition match against English powerhouse Manchester United on Sunday, and the seemingly overmatched Wizards somehow led one of the best soccer teams in the world by a goal.
Nobody in the crowd of 52,424 knew whether the Wizards could hold on to the lead, but quite frankly, it didn’t matter. This one wasn’t about winning for the Wizards, though they’ll take the 2-1 victory.
No, this one was about proving that soccer has a bright future in Kansas City. That the Wizards’ new stadium under construction in Wyandotte County will one day be packed with people. That Kansas City would thrive as a host city for a future World Cup.
And while it’s still impossible to tell whether that will all happen, there’s no doubt Sunday’s turnout — which shattered the old record for soccer attendance in Kansas City by more than 15,000 people — offered something almost as good:
Hope.
“The night was a dream come true,” said Wizards owner Robb Heineman. “For us, it was about sending a message to our fans that the Wizards are something they can be proud of.”
For one night, the Wizards — who are 4-8-4 in Major League Soccer play this season — were all that and more. Fans saw some good soccer, with the hometown team getting several good scoring opportunities and coming away with two goals in the first half. And the Wizards made it stand against United, which started some of its best players.
Forward Kei Kamara, who scored the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute, suggested the Wizards’ strong play had to do with adrenaline that came from playing in front of large crowd.
After all, the Wizards are more accustomed to playing in front of crowds averaging 10,000 at their temporary home, CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
“We have to have a couple more games over here where we have this many people out,” Kamara said. “You don’t get tired (when it’s this full).”
The turnout surpassed the previous record for soccer in Kansas City, which came in 2001 when 37,319 came to Arrowhead to see the U.S. men’s national team face Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier.
Despite the gobs of empty seats in the upper bowl — quite a contrast to the two lowest levels, which were full for the most part — it was a scene that Chiefs owner Clark Hunt wished his father Lamar, who founded the Wizards and died in 2006, could see.
“He would have been partly stunned and thrilled that we got Man U to come to Kansas City,” Hunt said. “Because if you go back to the early days of Major League Soccer, that was just not a reality.”
The Wizards’ victory came on the same day the New York Red Bulls beat Manchester City, one of Manchester United’s Premier League brethren.
To the Wizards, it’s further proof that Major League Soccer has come a long way in its 15 years, even though United and Manchester City are in the middle of their preseason training.
“If we went over to Manchester United in our preseason and they were in midseason, I think you see a different kind of result,” Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad said. “But anytime you can beat this type of competition, it helps the league.”
And, according to Heineman, anytime you draw the kind of crowd the Wizards and United did on Sunday, it helps to attract attention to the kind of soccer town Kansas City is.
However, Heineman believes it could be bigger. He wants to draw more big-name teams when the new stadium is done next June, and Kansas City remains one of 18 cities included in the United States’ bid for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
To Heineman, Sunday’s turnout only helped those chances.
“It was an unbelievable crowd, a fantastic testament to soccer in Kansas City,” Heineman said. “I wish we would have sold it out, but other than that it went perfect
Based on what they were witnessing at Arrowhead Stadium, the site of so many depressing Wizards games in the past, how could they not?
It was halftime of the Wizards’ much-anticipated exhibition match against English powerhouse Manchester United on Sunday, and the seemingly overmatched Wizards somehow led one of the best soccer teams in the world by a goal.
Nobody in the crowd of 52,424 knew whether the Wizards could hold on to the lead, but quite frankly, it didn’t matter. This one wasn’t about winning for the Wizards, though they’ll take the 2-1 victory.
No, this one was about proving that soccer has a bright future in Kansas City. That the Wizards’ new stadium under construction in Wyandotte County will one day be packed with people. That Kansas City would thrive as a host city for a future World Cup.
And while it’s still impossible to tell whether that will all happen, there’s no doubt Sunday’s turnout — which shattered the old record for soccer attendance in Kansas City by more than 15,000 people — offered something almost as good:
Hope.
“The night was a dream come true,” said Wizards owner Robb Heineman. “For us, it was about sending a message to our fans that the Wizards are something they can be proud of.”
For one night, the Wizards — who are 4-8-4 in Major League Soccer play this season — were all that and more. Fans saw some good soccer, with the hometown team getting several good scoring opportunities and coming away with two goals in the first half. And the Wizards made it stand against United, which started some of its best players.
Forward Kei Kamara, who scored the game-winning goal in the 42nd minute, suggested the Wizards’ strong play had to do with adrenaline that came from playing in front of large crowd.
After all, the Wizards are more accustomed to playing in front of crowds averaging 10,000 at their temporary home, CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
“We have to have a couple more games over here where we have this many people out,” Kamara said. “You don’t get tired (when it’s this full).”
The turnout surpassed the previous record for soccer in Kansas City, which came in 2001 when 37,319 came to Arrowhead to see the U.S. men’s national team face Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier.
Despite the gobs of empty seats in the upper bowl — quite a contrast to the two lowest levels, which were full for the most part — it was a scene that Chiefs owner Clark Hunt wished his father Lamar, who founded the Wizards and died in 2006, could see.
“He would have been partly stunned and thrilled that we got Man U to come to Kansas City,” Hunt said. “Because if you go back to the early days of Major League Soccer, that was just not a reality.”
The Wizards’ victory came on the same day the New York Red Bulls beat Manchester City, one of Manchester United’s Premier League brethren.
To the Wizards, it’s further proof that Major League Soccer has come a long way in its 15 years, even though United and Manchester City are in the middle of their preseason training.
“If we went over to Manchester United in our preseason and they were in midseason, I think you see a different kind of result,” Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad said. “But anytime you can beat this type of competition, it helps the league.”
And, according to Heineman, anytime you draw the kind of crowd the Wizards and United did on Sunday, it helps to attract attention to the kind of soccer town Kansas City is.
However, Heineman believes it could be bigger. He wants to draw more big-name teams when the new stadium is done next June, and Kansas City remains one of 18 cities included in the United States’ bid for either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
To Heineman, Sunday’s turnout only helped those chances.
“It was an unbelievable crowd, a fantastic testament to soccer in Kansas City,” Heineman said. “I wish we would have sold it out, but other than that it went perfect