Sporting will foster more inclusive and equitable communities on Sunday by celebrating Soccer For All, an MLS-led initiative signifying that everyone is welcome to the club regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation or economic status.
Soccer For All will be held in conjunction with Sunday’s home match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and is directly linked to “A Force for Good,” a community campaign launched by Sporting in which The Victory Project joins community partners to meet crucial needs across the region and make the sport of soccer accessible to everyone.
Before we dive into details around Soccer For All programming at Children’s Mercy Park, take note that a limited number of tickets for Sunday’s match are available at SeatGeek.com while supplies last. Supporters can also catch the action on Bally Sports Kansas City Plus, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, BallySports.com, the Bally Sports app, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM.
With that in mind, here’s everything to know about Soccer For All.
Pride Merchandise
At the forefront, Sporting will launch its new Pride top and Pride hat at all SportingStyle locations inside the stadium. As a bonus, fans who purchase the Pride jersey via mobile ordering on the Sporting KC app will receive a free Pride koozie. Sporting players will wear the Pride kits during their pregame warmups.
Supporters can also shop the new Pride collection at MLSstore.com or place a matchday pre-order at SportingStyle.com for pickup on the Mazuma Plaza on Sunday.
National Anthem
A special guest from The Whole Person, a service provider for people with disabilities, will perform Sunday’s national anthem through singing and sign language.
Victory Project Honoree
For the first time ever, the matchday honoree in the Victory Suite will represent one of The Victory Project’s new pillars around children with disabilities. Jesse Felix, a Special Olympics athlete with Down Syndrome who attends J.C. Harmon High School, will be honored minutes before the game begins. Additionally, fellow Special Olympics athlete and J.C. Harmon High School student Iziah Ferguson will join stadium host Hartzell Gray in leading the “I Believe” chant immediately prior to kickoff.
Special Guests in Attendance
Lastly, Sporting has distributed match tickets to the following partners of The Victory Project:
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City: Promotes the development of self-esteem, values and skills for boys and girls ages 5-18, with special emphasis on youth from disadvantaged circumstances.
- Special Olympics Kansas and Missouri: Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.
- Variety KC: Provides children with developmental disabilities the adaptive equipment and opportunities needed for activity and inclusion.
- The Whole Person: Connects people with disabilities to the resources they need by supporting independent choice and advocating for positive change in the community.
