Sporting KC follows the journey of the Special Olympics Unified Team as they embark on their two-match series against Minnesota United FC’s Unified team. The first part of the docuseries follows the team’s tryouts, signing day, and hype shoot while talking to players, coaches, and Sporting staff.
Sporting KC’s Special Olympics Unified Team is a partnership with Special Olympics-Kansas and The Victory Project, where players with and without intellectual disabilities come together and take part in the beautiful game.
Signing day took place on April 23, and sixteen players signed an official contract with the team for the 2024 season. Before they signed their contract, the team got the opportunity to watch Sporting KC’s first team train at Compass Minerals National Performance Center.
The team watched as the players went through a normal training day in preparation for the April 27 match against Minnesota United FC. Once training finished, the Unified Squad returned inside to sign their contract and begin the “Hype Shoot,” where Sporting Kansas City staff captured photo and video content needed for videos and graphics throughout the year.
Unified Team Ambassador Chris Rindov joined the players and their families, cheering them on as each player signed their contract and went through the very same hype shoot he and the first team did during the preseason.
The 2024 Unified Team consists of Cohen Nimz, Isaiah Adcox, Boston Wendt, Gentry Scheid, Jayden Depierro, Angel Castillo, Joe Toland, German Castillo, Matthew Braithwaite, Tayber Witt, Joshua Toplikar, Antonio Romero, Jaydn Morris, Conner Schonlaw, Jordan Bauswell, and Owen Leffert.
Follow along on the journey and keep up with Sporting’s Unified Team at SportingKC.com/Unified. Secure your spot at their second match on September 21; the Unified team will play following the first team match, Sporting KC vs. Minnesota United.
