On a cool Saturday afternoon, the Kansas Metropolis Present had been lined up in opposition to the Portland Thorns for the third time in 4 seasons. Whereas the Present had been set to make historical past of their new venue at CPKC Stadium, it additionally marked a full circle second because the pair of groups initially kicked off their inaugural NWSL seasons the identical approach again in April 2013.
With a offered out crowd of 11,500 followers, the Present hosted an electrical sport as their 5-4 victory fueled the gang to start a brand new chapter in NWSL historical past because it was the primary ever sport in an NWSL first purpose-built stadium.
“It’s a historic day for ladies’s soccer and ladies’s sports activities and for Kansas Metropolis too and to be a part of it, I’m simply excited and proud to be a part of a day like this,” mentioned Vlatko Andonovski. “There’s all the time one thing to push the requirements to the next stage. The stadium and this second is what’s pushing the usual to the following stage and now, it’s on the opposite groups to comply with.”
Embedded Into Kansas Metropolis
With dozens of billboards that showcase Present gamers together with the brand plastered on the design of the streetcars all through town, the Present are really making an announcement within the metropolis that’s greater than soccer.
In some cities with NWSL groups, residents aren’t conscious of their native staff and typically, merch isn’t readily accessible in airports or in native shops. Nevertheless, in Kansas Metropolis, the Present dominate their presence with flags in public areas, a vibrant ‘KC BABY’ signal that resides on the coronary heart of Union Station with merch offered alongside the likes of different KC groups such because the Chiefs and the Royals.
To high it off, the Present even have their state of the humanities coaching facility value $18 million in Riverside, MO. The coaching facility has a number of turf and grass fields and is positioned on a road title, which is called after the staff.
Present Create A New Legacy At CPKC Stadium
Inside 22’ minutes, the Present pressed within the closing third and as Debinha crossed the ball to the middle of the field, Vanessa Di Bernardo discovered the end to formally rejoice the primary aim within the NWSL’s first purpose-built stadium.
Moments later, rookie Ellie Wheeler doubled the lead for the Present within the 25’ minute. With the rise of the momentum, the Present maintained a 3-1 lead by the half because the lone aim for the Thorns was scored by none apart from Sophia Smith.
The electrical energy of the stadium was seen because the KC Blue Crew supporter group continued to cheer all through the sport as they hyped the staff for extra objectives.
“I believe the mentality that this group has is one thing, so long as we proceed to do this all through the season, we’ll put ourselves in a very good place to contend for the Championship and that’s what this membership desires to be all about,” mentioned goalkeeper AD Franch. “So long as we do this, this represents those that have come earlier than us and people who will come after us.”
Though the Thorns put up a combat as they had been scoreless and went on to attain 4 objectives, the Present’s victory marked a brand new momentum in NWSL historical past. The Present’s opening sport will go down in NWSL historical past because the $120 million venue permits for gamers to have the correct enjoying circumstances that they’ve all the time deserved.
In accordance with the Present, the stadium is projected to generate $20 million in income per 12 months. As for the Present, their Teal Rising motto continues to ring true as they’ve created the beginning of a brand new legacy in ladies’s soccer.
Now, their subsequent problem awaits as they’ll journey to California to face San Diego Wave FC on March 23 earlier than returning again dwelling to host one other California rival, Angel Metropolis FC.