When you think of the soccer hotbed of America, which cities do you think of?
You normally would think of major cities like Los Angeles or New York City, right? Well, right in the heart of America, a city that shares a border with two states has a storied history in the soccer community. Kansas City.
During my career, I covered hundreds of matches and interviewed several players from all walks of life, and experienced how different parts of the country had welcomed the sport in recent years before Major League Soccer began adding expansion teams in various regions. But there is nothing like coming back home to watch a local club quickly rise up the ranks in a short amount of time.
As a Kansas City native, I have watched first hand how the soccer culture has exploded in my hometown. From international matches finding their way to the Midwest to millions invested into local venues and fields for the communities – the soccer landscape is forever changing.
Home to Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Kansas City II, the KC NWSL, and the Kansas City Comets – Kansas City is reclaiming the Soccer Capital of America title.
It can take years for most clubs to find their footing with player signings, sponsorships, and all the facets that go with starting a new organization. But for one local team – they defied all odds in their short history.
Sunflower State Football Club is a semi/professional soccer team founded in 2018, who played in Kansas City adult leagues as Queso Blanco. After finding substantial success, they rebranded in 2020 to begin playing competitively in the Major League Arena League (MASL) third division and the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) first division for the 2020-2021 season(s).
Joey Lipoff (26) and Andrew Lentell (29) have the majority of control of operations and are the youngest of the team’s ownership group.
“After we gained a lot of popularity by playing from state cups and other tournaments, we got offers to be in semi-pro leagues throughout the states. And we accepted the bid,” said Sunflower State FC owner Joey Lipoff.
With a slight rotating roster each season, the team is primarily made up of multi-talented players in their mid 20’s and college athletes, who are prepared to play indoor for the winter and outdoor for spring and summer season(s).
Comets player Nick McDonald and Comets assistant goalkeeper coach Kenny Mayer are part of the coaching staff, with the 29-year-old midfielder leading the squad as head coach.
In addition to the club’s rapid growth, the organization has brought in thousands in donations and sponsorships to staff lawyers, doctors, social media specialists, etc., to make the team eligible for the USL’s second division. One of the many future goals for the organization. For right now, the young club’s main goal is to help players gain attention from higher-level teams like the Comets. For example, Tito Favela and Akolade Gbadebo joined the senior MASL side as trialists in April.
“The end goal as a coach with this organization is to get as many of those [players] who want to try to play at a higher level as many [opportunities] as we possibly can. So I think that’s why it’s helpful to play year-round to have them [scouted] by the Comets and Wichita Wings for indoor. And at the same time have them looked at by MLS and the USL Championship,” said Head Coach Nick McDonald.
Of course, a more prolific game like a Major League Soccer or international-level match can be just as thrilling. But there is nothing like going back to your roots.
Being able to hear everything from the occasional banter between players and refs to the natural sound of a player whipping a ball towards the goal like a crack of a bat in baseball is the type of atmosphere that will give any fan goosebumps.
Kansas City is close to securing a bid as a host city for the 2026 World Cup. Teams like Sunflower are showing the future of soccer in my hometown is bright.
