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.
Might as well have called it a dynasty.
Sporting Kansas City were once again crowned champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Sept. 20, 2017, defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in a nail-biting final at sold-out Children’s Mercy Park.
A 25th-minute header from Latif Blessing and a 66th-minute strike from Daniel Salloi were just enough to secure victory as Sporting continued their mastery of North America’s oldest soccer tournament, lifting the Open Cup title for the fourth time overall and the third time since 2012.
The Red Bulls grabbed a goal back through Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 91st minute, making for a tense final few minutes, but the visitors were unable to find a last-gasp equalizer.
Another euphoric dose of Open Cup glory made Sporting Kansas City the only American MLS club with four major championships from 2012-2017. Manager Peter Vermes also became just the second coach ever to win an MLS Cup (2013) and three Open Cup titles (2012, 2015, 2017), continuing an era of trophy-laden success in Kansas City since the turn of the decade.
