Sporting Kansas City

Founding and Early Years

The club was founded in 1995 as a founding member of MLS, beginning play in 1996 as the Kansas City Wiz, quickly renamed the Wizards. It took its current name, Sporting Kansas City, in 2011.

Club Evolution

Sporting Kansas City play at a stadium whose name has changed several times through sponsorship deals, including Livestrong Sporting Park and then Children's Mercy Park. The club is renowned for the excellence of its academy, named MLS's best youth academy in 2018.

Great Managers

Bob Gansler (1999-2006) won the MLS Cup-Supporters' Shield double in 2000, the club's first-ever trophy. Peter Vermes (2009-2025), MLS's longest-tenured coach before his departure, added the 2013 MLS Cup and several US Open Cups, becoming the only person to win MLS Cup as both a player and a coach with the same club.

Iconic Players

Preki remains the club's all-time leading scorer and assist provider. Kei Kamara defined 2009-2013 with his attacking prolificacy, while Matt Besler, a defender developed at the club, played at the World Cup with the United States.

Major Achievements

Sporting Kansas City have won two MLS Cups (2000, 2013), one Supporters' Shield (2000), and four US Open Cups (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017), one of the best records in that competition in MLS.

The Club Today

Led by Raphaël Wicky since January 2026 and chaired by Peter Mallouk, who became majority owner the same year, Sporting Kansas City are going through a transitional period following the departure of their long-time manager Peter Vermes.