Over the last 10 years, few professional sports franchises have experienced a more transformational journey than Sporting Kansas City. From Wizards to Sporting, from minor league baseball park to world-class soccer stadium, from MLS afterthought to perennial title contender, the 2010s ushered in a Kansas City soccer renaissance as Sporting enjoyed a meteoric rise both on and off the pitch.
Throughout this decade of success, everyone tied to the club—from players and coaches to owners and fans—made priceless memories that will last a lifetime. As the 2010s come to a close, SportingKC.com is counting down the top 20 moments of the decade. The daily series will run from Dec. 12-31, looking back on the biggest matches, announcements and off-the-field developments that left lasting impacts on the club. The top 20 list was determined through voting among front office associates at Sporting. Click here to visit the top 20 as it unfolds.
The first two seasons of the Children's Mercy Park era showed Major League Soccer that Sporting Kansas City knew how to host a soccer match.
The 2013 MLS All-Star Game showed the league that Sporting knew how to party.
An electric atmosphere, world-class amenities, terrific sight lines and a quality product on the pitch are among the many factors that draw supporters to Sporting matches. But it wasn't until July 31, 2013, that the club had its opportunity to put on a show for all of MLS to enjoy.
The 2013 MLS All-Star Game pitted the league's best players—Landon Donovan, Thierry Henry and Sporting trio Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Graham Zusi among them—against storied Italian side AS Roma in a summer showcase that boasted a slew of festive celebrations leading up to the match.
Three days of soccer-friendly pageantry unfolded from July 29-31, including a live concert in Kansas City's Power & Light District, an All-Star skills challenge along scenic Brush Creek near the Country Club Plaza, All-Star race car driving at the Kansas Speedway and more.
AS Roma prevailed by a 3-1 scoreline in the match itself, but 2013 MLS All-Star will be remembered more as a 72-hour celebration of soccer in the Heartland.
