The American soccer community continues to pay tribute to Grant Wahl, a KC native and renowned soccer reporter, who passed away on Friday at the age of 49.
The following is a statement from Sporting Kansas City Manager and Sporting Director Peter Vermes:
Grant Wahl elevated the sport of soccer in our country by telling stories that captivated new fans and longtime supporters alike. He had tremendous passion for the game and built strong relationships with players, coaches and colleagues through his professionalism and character. The Kansas City community has always been proud to call Grant one of our own and he leaves a lasting legacy in sports journalism and our beloved sport.
Wahl was born in Mission, Kan., on Dec. 2, 1973 and graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School as part of the Class of 1992. After attending Princeton University, Wahl went on to cover soccer for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and CBS Sports during a 25-year career in journalism.
Wahl is pictured above at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he was recognized by the International Sports Press Association for reporting on eight consecutive World Cup tournaments dating back to the 1994 competition held in the United States.
Major League Soccer clubs and members from across the North American soccer community have celebrated Wahl's life and legacy with messages on social media. Visit MLSsoccer.com for a compilation of the sentiments shared in remembrance of Wahl's incredible impact on the sport of soccer in the United States.
Kansas City Star columnist Sam McDowell - the former beat reporter for Sporting Kansas City for eight seasons from 2012 to 2019 - also penned two poignant stories on Wahl over the weekend, including an exclusive interview with his older brother Eric who also graduated from Shawnee Mission East in 1987.
