In celebration of Sporting Kansas City’s upcoming 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs run, Sporting has released Paint the Wall captain’s pennants made in Kansas City by local supplier Sandlot Goods.
The limited-edition pennants will be available for fans to purchase for $15 while supplies last at upcoming Sporting KC home matches inside SportingStyle retail locations at Children’s Mercy Park beginning this Sunday when Sporting hosts Real Salt Lake. In addition, online orders can be placed at SandlotGoods.com beginning Monday.
Paint the Wall is Sporting’s official marketing campaign for the 2021 postseason and a longstanding reference to the club’s iconic tradition of commemorating championships on the wall in the northwest corner of Children’s Mercy Park.
A portion of proceeds from all Paint the Wall captain’s pennant sales will go directly to The Victory Project – Sporting Kansas City’s philanthropic foundation – as part of the club’s season-long “A Force For Good” campaign.
Launched in March with a Mid-America Emmy award-winning public service announcement, Sporting’s “A Force For Good” campaign has supported children across the region, served crucial community needs and raised funds for The Victory Project through a variety of initiatives and events in conjunction with local partners:
- Eight Sporting Wishes were granted for children who have relapsed or are diagnosed with a secondary cancer
- Sixteen children, one per home match, were welcomed by Sporting KC to Compass Minerals National Performance Center and Children’s Mercy Park as Victory Project Honorees for a two-day, all-access VIP experience
- Over 50 past Victory Project Honorees and their families returned to Children’s Mercy Park for the team’s annual Kick Childhood Cancer match and festivities
- Two coed teams with second graders from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City competed in the Sporting Recreation League this fall – and will continue in Spring 2022 – thanks to a youth soccer scholarship program launched with the financial support of Compass Minerals
- The Whole Person sponsored the first power soccer team in Kansas City, covering costs and providing custom jerseys for the athletes, in a partnership that will continue in 2022
- Sporting provided custom jerseys for Special Olympics athletes and became one of the first MLS clubs to provide an opportunity for athletes to return to outdoor sports in a safe environment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
- Variety KC unveiled numerous amenities aimed at making Children’s Mercy Park the most inclusive stadium in KC for guests with special needs, including a sensory room, adult changing tables, communication boards and sensory bags, while also participating in the groundbreaking for the Central Bank Sporting Complex to incorporate an inclusive soccer pitch in the northland
- Sporting donated 200 soccer balls to Ryogoku Academy to support the organization’s first year of operation
- Sporting donated 150 pajamas to kids undergoing treatment at Children’s Mercy and Sporting KC players virtually interacted with patients through CCTV programming
- The club’s Kick Childhood Cancer match on Sept. 26 also raised $5,000 in donations for Children’s Mercy.
- The Victory Project’s contribution to the Children’s Mercy Family Support Fund helps aid families through their child’s recovery with assistance for utility, lodging, transportation, meals, prescription drugs, and funeral costs
- The Victory Project hosted the foundation’s three major annual events: Victory Gala, Sporting Invitational golf tournament and Victory Lap 5K
- This year’s Kick Childhood Cancer auction raised enough money to fund the Victory Project Honoree program for an entire season
- Children’s Mercy Park hosted blood drives in conjunction with Community Blood Center, collecting enough units of blood to potentially save hundreds of lives
- Sporting donated $5,000 in gift cards and 200 jerseys to Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools for students and families in the district.
This season, Sporting Kansas City became the first team in league history to have a charitable foundation appear on the front of the club’s jerseys for the entirety of an MLS season with The Victory Project logo displayed on both the primary and secondary kits. In addition, a portion of all Sporting KC jersey sales in 2021 benefit The Victory Project.
Sporting Kansas City will conclude the regular season on Sunday at home against rivals Real Salt Lake. Kick off is set for 5:25 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Park on MLS Decision Day as Sporting is in a three-team race for first place in the Western Conference and two available berths in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League.
Tickets for the match are available online at SeatGeek.com and the regular season finale will air live on Bally Sports KC, Bally Sports Midwest Plus, ESPN 94.5 FM (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish).
About The Victory Project
The Victory Project is a philanthropic foundation established by Sporting in 2013 that helps children through all of life's challenges by uniting players, staff, fans and community partners across the Kansas City and Midwest regions. Through numerous events and initiatives, The Victory Project is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of children battling cancer, providing special experiences and opportunities to kids with disabilities and creating a more welcoming soccer environment for local youths. To learn more and to make a donation, visit VictoryKC.org.
