Kansas City NWSL will play its 2022 schedule at Children’s Mercy Park, home of Sporting KC, after playing this season at a minor-league ballpark, Legends Field.
It’s not a huge move in terms of distance — the two facilities are in the same Kansas City, KS Legends Outlets development — but it is in terms of facilities. Legends Field is home to the American Association’s Kansas City Monarchs and served as Sporting KC’s home (then known as the Kansas City Wizards) before the move to Children’s Mercy Park.
But let’s face it: Children’s Mercy Park is one of the finest facilities in MLS and American soccer. The soccer-specific stadium opened in 2011 and seats 18,467 for soccer matches. Children’s Mercy Park has been home to the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National teams multiple times in addition to CONCACAF Champions League, Gold Cup, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Olympics Qualifiers.So the move is a good one for Kansas City NWSL.
“We are incredibly grateful to Mark Brandmeyer and the entire Legends Field staff and crew for making our Inaugural season so special,” said KC NWSL Founder & Co-Owner Chris Long. “They stepped up in a monumental way when we brought the team to Kansas City last December and had to be on the field in only 140 days. Mark and his staff are forever a part of our history and KC NWSL family, helping create a memorable first season for our fans.”
“We are thrilled to move our home matches to Children’s Mercy Park,” said Amber Cox, KC NWSL COO. “When the opportunity materialized for the 2022 season to move to one of the best soccer stadiums in the world, we felt it made sense, especially given our player-first approach. We’re excited to offer soccer fans in Kansas City a full menu of both men’s and women’s soccer at Children’s Mercy Park in 2022.”
Photo courtesy Kansas City NWSL.