Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City is an MLSMLSMajor League Soccer (MLS) is a top-flight professional soccer league comprising clubs in the United States and Canada. Play began in 1996, and the league has 30 clubs divided between Eastern and Western Conferences in 2026.Open the full entry professional soccer club with its regular home in Kansas City, Kansas.
Contents18 sections
Key facts
June 6, 1995Charter membership
Kansas City Wiz became an MLS charter member on June 6, 1995, began play in 1996 and adopted Wizards after its first season.[1]
2000MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield double
Kansas City won MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in 2000.[1]
2004U.S. Open Cup title
Kansas City won the U.S. Open Cup and finished runners-up in MLS Cup in 2004.[1]
August 31, 2006OnGoal acquisition
OnGoal, LLC acquired the club from Hunt Sports Group.[2]
November 17, 2010Sporting Kansas City unveiled
The club unveiled the Sporting Kansas City name on November 17, 2010.[2]
June 9, 2011Stadium debut
The club played its first match at its new stadium.[2]
August 8, 2012Second U.S. Open Cup
Sporting beat Seattle on penalties on August 8, 2012, for its second U.S. Open Cup.[2]
December 7, 2013Second MLS Cup
Sporting beat Real Salt LakeReal Salt LakeReal Salt Lake (RSL) is a professional soccer club in Utah. It began MLS play in 2005 and plays at America First Field in Sandy.Open the full entry on penalties on December 7, 2013, for its second MLS Cup.[2]
2015Third U.S. Open Cup
Sporting defeated Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia UnionPhiladelphia Union is a Major League Soccer club representing the Philadelphia region. It began play in 2010 and plays at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Keystone Sports and Entertainment owns and operates the club.Open the full entry on penalties to win its third U.S. Open Cup in 2015.[3]
2017Fourth U.S. Open Cup
The club won its fourth U.S. Open Cup in 2017, defeating New York Red BullsRed Bull New YorkRed Bull New York (RBNY) are a Major League Soccer club based at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club has competed in MLS since 1996, previously as the MetroStars, and is owned by Red Bull.Open the full entry 2–1.[3]
2024U.S. Open Cup final defeat
Sporting returned to the U.S. Open Cup final in 2024 but lost to LAFCLos Angeles Football ClubLos Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are a Major League Soccer club whose regular home is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The club won its first MLS Cup in 2022.Open the full entry in extra time.[3]
March 31, 2025Peter Vermes departs
Peter Vermes ended his head-coaching tenure, begun in 2009, on March 31, 2025. Kerry Zavagnin became interim coach.[3]
December 2025Majority ownership deal completed
Peter Mallouk confirmed to KSHB 41 in January 2026 that his purchase of a majority stake had been finalized in December 2025. The club stated that the Illig family would continue day-to-day operations and represent it on the MLS Board of Governors.[4]
December 29, 2025Youth soccer program files suit
The Kansas City Star reported in January 2026 that Missouri Valley Soccer Club, founded by former assistant coach Zoran Savic, had sued Sporting’s owners on December 29, 2025. The complaint alleged that their influence in local youth soccer harmed the program and claimed more than $3.3 million in damages.[5]
2026Sporting Park home venue
The club’s official website lists its home as Sporting Park in 2026.[6]
January 2026Raphaël Wicky takes charge
Raphaël Wicky became head coach in January 2026 on a contract through 2027–28 with a club option for the following season. He reports to President of Soccer Operations and General Manager David Lee.[7]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Sporting Kansas City: Official website: https://www.sportingkc.com/ (opens in a new window).[8]
Sources
- History | Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)
- Timeline | Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)
- Sporting KC mutually agrees to part ways with Manager Peter Vermes | Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)
- Local CEO, KC native Peter Mallouk becomes new Sporting KC majority owner (opens in a new window)
- Former Sporting KC coach sues, alleging monopolization of KC youth soccer (opens in a new window)
- Sporting Park | Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)
- Technical Staff | Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)
- Sporting Kansas City (opens in a new window)