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.
A new name.
A new crest.
A new identity that would redefine one of Major League Soccer's original clubs and alter the sport's future in Kansas City.
During a fan rally in the Kansas City Power & Light District on Nov. 17, 2010, the new Sporting Kansas City brand was unveiled to the world.
“Our mission is to connect Kansas City to the premier professional sports experiences in the Midwest,” Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said at the time. “We believe a change in identify for the club was necessary to effectively live and breathe this vision. The name ‘Sporting’ represents our desire to become a dynamic organization focused on creating opportunities for social, cultural and athletic connections."
With the rebrand came a new stadium, as the club moved into Children's Mercy Park the following summer. Since then, Sporting has burgeoned into a model franchise for Major League Soccer, winning trophies and playing before an ardent fan base that ranks among the very best in the country.
If Sporting's last decade was translated into a novel, this particular chapter would be especially formative in setting the stage for all the glory that was to come.
