Potential Chant: Bend It

Name of Song/Chant: Bend It

To the tune of: Bend It by Davy and Dee Dee (1968) 

Lyrics:
Bend it, bend it, just a little bit
C’mon now Zusi, show you're rockin' it
And Sporting, you know that we're gonna win
Right now 'cos I'm sure we will begin
With Zizzo, Benny and Dom Dwyer*
Kick it forceful, show some hustle

Bend it, bend it, just a little more
We love you KC, now we’re gonna score
But you can make me feel that I am sure
I've got a sickness only you can cure
So just relax, there's stacks of time,
but please don't tease me - try to please me

*2011 version - With Sapong, Convey and Kamara

USMNT Lyrics:
Bend it, bend it, just a little bit
C’mon now Zusi, show you're rockin' it
And U! S!, you know that we're gonna win
Right now 'cos I'm sure we will begin
With Bradley, Jozy and Clint Dempsey
Kick it forceful, show some hustle

Bend it, bend it, just a little more
We love you Yanks, now we’re gonna score
But you can make me feel that I am sure
I've got a sickness only you can cure
So just relax, there's stacks of time,
but please don't tease me - try to please me

Original Song:


Chant Origins:
I forget how I found this exactly, but I was probably looking for videos on You Tube of some nice free kicks bending to their target.  As soon as I heard the slow start and the rapid finish in the style of a good Greek folk song, I knew I had to rework the lyrics to apply to Graham Zusi since he had some great placements in 2011.  I initially had Bravo in the place of Convey but with the release of Bravo that had to switch.  Bunbury just doesn't fit in there well so I went with Convey. I guess we could put in Soony too.

Heard at Sporting Park: Never
Heard from other MLS supporters groups: None - an original!

Why it works: original lyrics, incorporates Sporting well, good soccer references, slow start to get everyone timed up right, good change in tempo always sounds good from a coordinated group, positive and supportive

Why it might not: Never been done before, not a familiar radio friendly song, change in tempo could be very tricky with a large group, complex lyrics over two verses (could be cut down to just one, but I like them both!), works well with or without drums.

Got an idea for a chant? Submit it to us!

Sporting KC on Wikipedia

In a constant hunger for all good things Sporting Kansas City, I often find myself at some point referencing Wikipedia.  You can find a good lot of information there, with nearly all of it pretty accurate.  But there are a few pages related to our team that could use some work.  I thought I would highlight a few here so that the diligent online SKC community could get to work and make us whole!

If you make any significant changes, please email or tweet us so we can update this page.

Page: Sporting Kansas City
Needs: Copyediting for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling
Basically when everyone adds little facts incrementally the whole page doesn't always look the best.  So we need someone with a keen eye for good writing to go in and clean it up while retaining the facts and basic story.  Sporting has one of the better Wikipedia pages in my humble opinion.  I have not had the time nor desire to read through every other MLS team's page but DC United has a pretty good one too.  Also only a picture of Arrowhead in the stadiums section.  We need a LSP picture on this page.  The supporters club section needs some citations and some updating as well from an objective third party.  Would be nice if a local paper did an article on the supporter groups because then we could link to that.  Wikipedia editors frown upon blog links unless you are the Huffington Post or in that echelon.  MLS regular season all time record only goes through 2008.  Robb Heinemann is listed as the club's only president?  Who came before Robb?  Not very much about the historical Wiz/Wizards logos.  No (pictorial) history of the different kits. And boy do we have some history.

Page: Livestrong Sporting Park
Needs: Images, story, facts
The Sporting Park page is pretty anemic.  Yeah sure we have only been playing in it for a few months, but if we don't get some of the info down now, it might be harder to recall to tell the great story of LSP.  The two images of the stadium are pretty weak.  Try looking at the Red Bull Arena page for some better ideas.

Our players need some pictures on their Wikipedia pages.  If you have any pictures you took that are quality that is probably the best one to use because you own it and can upload it as a Creative Commons licensed photo.  But if you find a good one online and can contact the photographer maybe they would upload it for fair use.  Don't steal images! (Read the rules on posting a picture to Wikipedia)

Player (current and notable past) pages in need of any picture/head shot:
Besler
Harrington
Aiyegbusi
Zusi
Bunbury
Saad
Warzycha
Olum
Ellis
Espinoza
Sinovic
Kronberg
Joseph
Diop
Kempin
Cyrus
Arnaud
Jewsbury


Player pages in need of a better head shot (typically has action shot there, but might be better suited for head shot in box and action shot in article.)
Nielsen
Myers
Sapong
Kamara
Collin
Cesar

Player pages in need of an action shot (because our players have skills):
Besler

Myers
Zusi
Sapong


Player pages in need of picture of player in Sporting KC kit:
Convey
Kamara
Cesar
Nagamura

Players in need of more facts on their page:
Zusi
Sapong
Kamara
Collin
Cyrus

Now get to work people!

Sporting KC Goals 2011 (plus some history)

Fantastic compilation except for the fact they left out CJ and Kei's FIFA 12 goal celebration and they used announcers that could not pronounce Bunbury to save their life.

Make sure to watch, share and like.  Spread the good news!

   

And just for reference here are the other years I found on YT.  Sorry for the cruddy quality of the video.

2010 Season Highlights

2009 Best Goals
 

2008 Best Goals
 

 2007 Best Goals
 

 2006 Best Goals
 

The South Stand SC Founder's Kit

It is very exciting to announce the first big effort out of the newly formed South Stand Supporters Club!  On the SSSC website you can sign up for a Founder's Kit for $50 to help provide the initial boost of funds to help the South Stand accomplish great things.  Money has already been donated by Ad Astra and the Wedge to help provide the initial capital to purchase this great membership swag.

Only 100 Founder scarves were ordered and they are likely to move fast.  We should have them available after the first of the year.

When you sign up, please make sure to choose Ad Astra as your affiliated supporter group. Remember we will be in 118 this year.  Can't wait to see you.

Other membership levels (with scarves) are coming, we just wanted to start off with a big one first.  The price is really an investment if you really want to make LSP the loudest place on the planet.  We have big plans for SSSC! Come be a part of it!

Goals for Good 2011 Recap and 2012 Future

Now that the season is over, the email reminders to actually donate have been sent out to the 10 people who participated in this initial Goals for Good program for fans of Sporting Kansas City.  These 10 people pledged a total of $25 for each goal scored at LiveSTRONG Sporting Park by Sporting KC.  With 29 goals scored at home by Kei, CJ, Omar and the gang, that is $725 pledged to 4 great charities (LiveSTRONG, Harvester's, Humane Society, City of Joplin)

As a bonus for participating this year, the initial 10 donors will all get input on helping select the first round of donor recipients to be reviewed for the 2012 Goals for Good program.

Here are some ideas we are floating around for next year to make this an even bigger fan supported program:

• Open nomination and selection process for the 4 donor recipient positions (prior to the season starting)
• Collaborating with the recipients in co-promoting this endeavor
• Collaboration with key stakeholders in the SKC community
• Banner in LSP showing who much money pledged per goal made
• Adding an option to pledge for clean sheets to reward defensive play
• Giveaways/contests to encourage people to pledge
• Option for public recognition of your pledge
• Option for businesses to get involved

Thanks again to those who participated this year.  If you would like to help out with Goals for Good in 2012 please email christian@AdAstraSKC.org

To learn more about the 2011 Goals for Good program please see the official page:

2011 Summary

LiveSTRONG (Lance Armstrong Foundation) 

 2 pledges for a total of $ 3/goal; Total amount to date: $81

Harvesters: Community Food Network      

 4 pledges for a total of $ 9/goal; Total amount to date: $243

Humane Society of Greater Kansas City    

 3 pledges for a total of $ 7/goal; Total amount to date: $203

Joplin Tornado First Response Fund    

 2 pledges for a total of $ 6/goal; Total amount to date: $162

Total amount pledged to date: $ 725

Potential Chant: Sporting Til I Die

Name of Song/Chant: Sporting Til I Die

To the tune of: Lonely Boy by The Black Keys 

Lyrics:
Na-na, Na-Na Na-na-na
Na-na, Na-Na Na-na-na
Na-na, Na-Na Na-na-na
Na-na, Na-Na Na-na-na

Well I’ll always love you
And it’s plain to see
We stand and cheer here every day*
So if you tear my heart out
Well I don’t mind bleeding
Any old time just give me Sporting, Sporting, Sporting

Chorus:
Oh, oh-oh I got a love. It's called Sporting
Oh, oh I got a love. It's called Sporting
Sporting til I die
Sporting til I die
Oh, oh-oh I got a love. It's called Sporting

* looking for alternative lyric here if you have one

Here is the edited version of the song to match the lyrics:
Lonely Boy SKCTID chant no vocal by AdAstraSKC
 
Original Song:


Chant Origins:
I was listening to this song in my car on a long drive and it finally hit me the challenge in getting Sporting to fit in any other chant can be easily solved by finding verbs ending with -ing.  Trying to get Sporting to rhyme with classic rhyming words in songs always seemed awkward.  But by using Sporting as a noun to replace verbs a whole new world of chants opens up.  And it also makes it hard for other teams to easily fit their name in.  Double plus! 

Heard at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park: Never
Heard from other MLS supporters groups: None - an original!

Why it works: original lyrics, incorporates Sporting well, no clapping needed, positive and supportive
Why it might not: Never been done before, not a familiar radio friendly song

Got an idea for a chant? Submit it to us!

Ad Astra SKC 2011 Fan of the Year Winners

Congratulations to Hector Solario winner of our 2011 Fan of the Year contest.  Across all the different ways to vote Hector had a lot of supporters.  It probably helps he is one of the most consistently visible one of our nominees banging the drums for La Barra KC.  For being chosen by his fellow fans Hector will get a $50 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store, 2 tickets to game of your choice in 2012 in the South Stand.

The runner-up was Tiffany White who will recieve $25 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store.   $10 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store will be awarded to the other nominees: Matt Killingsworth, Sydney Manning and Adam Yarnevich.

Thanks again to all the Sporting Kansas City fans who make LiveSTRONG Sporting park such a great place to be!

Related: Announcement of contest; Nominees

Ad Astra SKC Fan of the Year 2011 Nominees

With such a growth in fans of Sporting Kansas City it can be hard to just pick out a few passionate supporters who might be considered the 2011 Ad Astra SKC Fan of the Year (FOTY).  The 5 nominees come from all over the stadium, online and offline.  Any fan of Sporting KC was eligible not just Ad Astra fans in 102, or the South Stand.

A few weeks ago a call went out for nominees and 5 wonderful fans were selected to be the nominees.  Below you will find a short write up and pictures/videos.  All of these fans were nominated by someone else, no one was self-nominated.  After the nominees you will find a ballot.  Voting is open until Sunday 11:59pm Nov 13th.

Grand Prize: $50 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store, 2 tickets to game of your choice in 2012 in the South Stand
Runner-up: $25 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store
Other three nominees: $10 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store

*Prizes accumulated from personal donations. If you are a player, Sporting KC rep, local KC business or super fan that wants to donate prizes to this fan-run award, please email christian@adastraskc.org
**Note that this is not an official Sporting Kansas City event. But that doesn't make it any less important. It depends on your participation. It is done only to encourage more passion for SKC. If you don't see someone you think should been on this list, nominate them next year. You have the power.

(If you think this is a cool idea, please follow @AdAstraSKC on Twitter, and Like us on Facebook)

2011 FOTY NOMINEES

(in no particular order):

Matt Killingsworth

• Founded the Wedge supporters group in section 115
• Purchased scores of navy/light blue checkered flags to decorate section 115
• Gives flags (for free sometimes) to enthusiastic supporters
• Has brought someone new to nearly each Sporting KC game home game this year
• Single-handedly painted the banners in the Wedge, and behind the South Stand goal
• Designed numerous logos mocking other MLS teams
• Traveled to the last game of the year in DC bringing banners for the team

Hector Solario

• Leader of La Barra
• Arranges many tailgating activites and more recently a food truck for the Cauldron and La Barra
• Is at every SportingKC game
• Drummer and chant leader (capo) in the Cauldron
• Famous wearer of the Red White and Blue Headdress
• Active on Facebook , with La Barra and other Sporting related accounts.
• And from the person who nominated him:

  My vote goes to Hector Solario. He works his butt off every game trying to get fans of all ages, race and gender into the spirit of the game. He’s got more passion for the game of soccer than anyone I’ve ever met.

Tiffany White (and her sons)

• Very active on Twitter (@Tiffanydwhite) and Facebook, helps as an ambassador answering other people’s questions about Sporting
• Her passion for the team extends to her kids who are popular on the jumbotron inspiring other kids to wag their tongue like Jimmy, paint their hair blue
• Always in the South Stand cheering the team on, staying late for autographs for her sons.

Sydney Manning

• One of Sporting KC’s newest fans she never really followed soccer before, but has taken to it with a determined zeal.
• Enthusiastic supporter of Soony Saad, Chance Myers and others at all home games this year with numerous homemade signs.
• Frequently featured on the LIVESTRONG scoreboard for her signs and excitement Twitter evangelist (@slmanning7) for the team and her favorite players
• Founder of @SoonySaadFans
• Winner of the first #SKCchat Twitter Trivia contest: A surprise lunch with Luke Sassano and Soony Saad at Pandolfi’s Deli

  

Adam Yarnevich (aka Brisket Bob)

• Designed one (out of three) of the Cauldron scarves for 2011
• Designed "Kick-off 2011" (vs Chivas) traveling Cauldron scarf
• Designed "Kick-off 2011" bar coasters for opening night watch party at Johnny's
• Dressed up as Brisket Bob (@Brisket_Bob) against Portland (and will continue to do so)
• Has missed multiple social events (weddings, birthdays, etc.) just to watch a game. Much to the shagrin of his girlfriend...who is now a Sporting KC fan since dating BB
• Travelled to Chicago with the Cauldron for the second match of the 2011 season
• Convinced numerous people this year to get season tickets next year
• Helped organize a fundraiser at the Cauldron tailgate to benefit the "Light the Night Walk."
• Featured on "Better Know a Supporter" 

You can vote below, vote on Facebook, and vote on Twitter by tweeting:

I vote for (nominee name here) for @AdAstraSKC Fan of the Year #AdAstraFOTY http://bit.ly/2011FOTY Tweet

You can use the following Twitter names if you choose to vote by tweet:

@SouthStandSC (Matt Killingsworth)

@La BarraKC (Hector Solario)

@TiffanyDWhite (Tiffany White)

@slmanning7 (Sydney Manning)

@Brisket_Bob (Adam Yarnevich)

#SKCchat Transcript 10/25/2011

Host: Brad Shapiro (@BradShapiroKC)
Topics: No real topic but really more of a chance to talk with Seth Sinovic, Left Back for Sporting Kansas City.  He was great answering lots of questions from all sorts of angles.

Note - No Tweetchat next week since Tuesday the KC Cauldron is telling us to get ready for something big. (And Monday is Halloween and Wednesday is the game!)

Learn more about #SKCchat here.

Gameday Recap: Game 34 at DC United

Oct 22nd at RFK Stadium

Result: Win (Clinched first place in the Eastern Conference!)
Sporting KC 1 (Besler) - 0 DC United

Referee Report via RefRefs

Ad Astra SKC Gameday Preview Compilation

Links to Recaps: (links added as they get posted online)

• Sporting Kansas City Official
• Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• The Full 90 (KC Star) - Tod Palmer (@TheFull90)
• The Oz Blog - 2 and 2 - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Bleacher Report - Alan T Hainkel (@FntnCitySoccer)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS) 
• Soccer by Ives

Man of the Match Selections:

• Jimmy Nielsen (KC) - Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Matt Besler (KC) - Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• (not released yet)- The Oz Blog - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)

From DCU sources:

• Black and Red United
• Soccer Insider
  

Match Video Highlights (from MLS)

 
Post-Game Interviews (via MLS)

MLS Highlights via YouTube:

Twitter Photos:

Potential Chants: Say Say Oh CJ!

Name of Song/Chant: Say Say Oh CJ!

To the tune of: Say Say Oh Playmate

New Lyrics:
Say Say Oh C...J!
Come out and play with me!
Just bring your energy!
Run hard for ol' KC


Right down the pitch now
Get a-round their back four
Please score more goals for us
Forever more more more more more!


Chant Origins:
Say Say Oh Playmate is a pretty well known playground song used in hand clapping games.  This makes it easy to find a beat that can be slowed or sped up according to the desire of the fans.  The familiarity of the rhythm and melody should make adapting new lyrics pretty easy.  It would be great to chant when he makes a great play, comes on or off the pitch during a sub or of course after he scores (after the crowd noise dies down).  And we really need some more player specific chants because just saying the name and clapping 5 times doesn't really demonstrate the appreciation we have for our players (although it is easy to adapt and remember.)


A Sample if you are unfamiliar with it (we would go much slower!)
 

Heard at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park: Never
Heard from other MLS supporters groups: None - an original!

Why it works: original lyrics, already popular playground song, easy clapping rhythm fast beat, call and response for those who don't get the majority of the lyrics
Why it might not: Never been done before

Got an idea for a chant? Submit it to us!

Gameday Preview: Match 34 at DC United

October 22nd at RFK Stadium

Previous 2011 match
Sporting KC 1 - 0 DC United at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park August 21st, 2011 - Recap


Referee Preview: Alex Prus via RefRefs.com

Links to Previews: (links added as they get posted online- check back often)

• Official Sporting Kansas City Preview
• Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Byline to BackPost Podcast - Mike Kuhn and Thad Bell
• The Full 90 - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• The Front Men - (@TheFrontMen)
• The Footy Chronicles - (@TheFootyChronicles)

From United Sources

• 3 Questions with Black and Red Nation

Previous Match Video Highlights (from MLS - Microsoft Silverlight)

Previous Match Highlights (from MLShighlights2011 - YouTube)



Twitter Rosters
Sporting Kansas City - #SportingKC - #SKC (rare)
DC United - #DCU

Social Media Match Up

Facebook

DC United 52k defeat Sporting Kansas City 43k

Twitter

DC United 35k defeats Sporting Kansas City 18k

Gameday Recap: Game 33 vs New York Red Bulls

Oct 15th, 2011 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park

Result: Win (Jumped to first place in the Eastern Conference!)
Sporting KC 2 - 0 New York Red Bulls

Referee Report via RefRefs

Ad Astra SKC Gameday Preview Compilation

Links to Recaps: (links added as they get posted online)

• Sporting Kansas City Official
• Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• The Full 90 (KC Star) - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• The Oz Blog - 2 and 2 - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Bleacher Report - Alan T Hainkel (@FntnCitySoccer)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS) 
• The Front Men - Alex Englen - @TheFrontMen

Photos

• The Backpost

Man of the Match Selections:

• Graham Zusi (KC) - Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Graham Zusi (KC) - Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• The Whole Sporting KC Team - The Oz Blog - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)

From NYRB sources:

• Once a Metro
• Metro Fanatic

Match Video Highlights (from MLS)

 
MLS Highlights via YouTube:

2011 Sporting Kansas City Fan of the Year Nominations Open

We have seen a lot of passionate support this year for our Sporting Kansas City. Many long time fans back to the days of the Wiz and Wizards and many many more new fans discovering the team (again?) for the first time. There have been a lot of memorable moments in the stands this year and lots of people behind the scenes doing great things to make the passion stronger and stronger for our team. So with all of this great support we would like to find out who is the 2011 Sporting Kansas City Fan of the Year? To give you an idea of people you might consider, here are a few memorable people from the crowd.

Is it the blue man?

Maybe it is this guy?

Or her?

Or this kid?

Or maybe it is you?

These are not any of the nominees (yet), because we can't be sure who it is until we hear from more people. So for the next 10 days (until Friday at 11:59 CT) we will be accepting nominations for the 2011 Sporting Kansas City Fan of the Year

Please send an email to FOTY@adastraskc.org with the following info:

• Name of person you are nominating (If you don't know the name send me a picture of the fan, and we will try to identify them)
• Why you are nominating them in less than 300 words
• Self-nominations are ok

After we get all your nominations, we will sort through the choices and pick 5 fans and share their stories of why someone has nominated them to be fan of the year.

Eligibility: Must be a Sporting Kansas City fan age 0-109 years old, not employed/contracted by Sporting Kansas City.

Prizes (so far*):

• Grand Prize: $50 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store, 2 tickets to game of your choice in 2012 in the South Stand
• Runner-up: $25 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store
• Other three nominees: $10 gift certificate to Sporting Kansas City stadium store

*Prizes accumulated from personal donations. If you are a player, Sporting KC rep, local KC business or super fan that wants to donate prizes to this fan-run award, please email christian@adastraskc.org

**Note that this is not an official Sporting Kansas City event. But that doesn't make it any less important. It depends on your participation. It is done only to encourage more passion for SKC.

Gameday Preview: Match 33 vs New York Red Bulls

October 15th at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park

Previous 2011 match
Sporting KC 0 - 1 New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena April 30th, 2011 - Recap

Referee: Kevin Stott (Via RefRefs)

Links to Previews: (links added as they get posted online- check back often)

• Official Sporting Kansas City Preview (@SportingKC)
• Daily Wiz KC Preview - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Daily Wiz KC 3 Questions - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• The Front Men - Alex Englen (@TheFrontMen)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• The Full 90 - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• SuPortingClubKC - Unknown 
• The Footy Chronicles - Isaac the Blogger (@TheFootyChronicles)

From Red Bull Sources

• Once a Metro - 3 Questions

Previous Match Video Highlights (from MLS - Microsoft Silverlight)

Previous Match Highlights (from YouTube)


Twitter Rosters
Sporting Kansas City - #SportingKC - #SKC (rare)
New York Red Bulls - #RBNY - #NYRB

Social Media Match Up

Facebook

New York Red Bulls 122k defeat Sporting Kansas City 43k

Twitter

New York Red Bulls 25k defeat Sporting Kansas City 18k

What Sporting Club May Become

When I first heard about the idea behind Sporting Club and the rebranding of the Wizards to Sporting Kansas City, I was really excited about all the potential.  So far the front office has done a good job of really concentrating on the team and the stadium, which is very smart since that is the leading brand.  But it has also left other people wondering if there is really more to the grand idea of an umbrella athletic organization.  Let's look at what Sporting Club has laid out for us so far.

Kansas City Blues Rugby Club: Announced in May 2011, this affiliation is only recently starting to gain more attention with the planned rugby match after the last regular season MLS match against the New York Red Bulls. Officially they are a founding member of the Sporting Club Network.  This connection may help get larger rugby tournaments and potentially international draws to Kansas City, which may help grow the sport as they get ready to be in the 2016 Olympics.  Will Soccer fans embrace Rugby?  Chances are good especially if it is given a grand stage like LSP.



Turner MotorSports (NASCAR Nationwide Series):  While right now this seems to be a one-time cross promotion it does give a glimpse in how creative Sporting Club is willing to be in finding cross-promotion that works.  Sporting Kansas City has a one-time sponsorship of a car and driver in the 2nd tier race (Nationwide) at the Kansas Speedway.  Obviously this is playing to the home crowd, so I wonder if they will have a booth at race weekend selling season tickets, or signing people up for free memberships to Sporting Club.It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future for any local races, but with NASCAR rides hurting for sponsorships with the tough exonomy, this may be a great buy!  The estimated cost for a one-race primary sponsorship in the NNS is $25-50,000.

Sporting Kansas City Juniors Affiliates Program: Working to develop a good pipeline of players in addition to getting out in the soccer community this seems like a no-brainer.  This Academy/Development approach can help find more home grown players and is being modeled successfully in Europe already, as well as some MLS teams.

Speculative Potential

None of this is inside information, all speculation, but what could Sporting Club become...


Hockey Team: Long shot...but the Sprint Center is still lacking that Sports Anchor that would make the Power and Light district more successful.  The NHL has always said it wants local owners.  But this is probably not going to happen.  Maybe a potential affiliation with the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL, but they have already partnered with the Kansas City Command of the Arena Football League

Junior Hockey Teams: What may be less risky but still beneficial to community outreach and loyalty building is getting Sporting Club to partner with some of the junior hockey programs like the Kansas City Stars.  With the changing of Pepsi Ice into an indoor soccer facility there is a lack of sheets of ice in the area.  A big sponsorship and promotion of a winter sport may help keep Sporting Club first of mind all year round.  Even if the affiliation helped some with travel or equipment costs that would go a long way to reaching a demographic that could easily turn into a soccer fan (says the hockey fan writing this post).


Basketball: Probably not an NBA team (see the hockey team section above), but maybe a D-league team that plays in an arena eventually built on land near LiveSTRONG? (With a sheet of ice) or the Independence Center?  Some guy named Greg Heineman (sounds familiar...) owns the Sioux Falls Skyforce.  I think this is a good possibility in the near future pending NBA contract disputes of course.  I think WNBA is less likely without the presence of a NBA team and given the competing schedules with MLS.

Baseball: Could Sporting Club align more with the T-bones and work some effective cross-promotions that helps both teams?  Maybe but doubtful given the competing schedules.  But I could see a once a year deal to pair up tickets and food for a baseball/soccer double header.  Just make it a day out at Village West. Would the T-Bones ever become part of the Sporting Club network formally? Probably not.

Individual Athletes: I think this is the lowest risk, highest gain of all the choices.  This is really the model that Red Bull has done very well with.  By sponsoring individual athletes/personalities in various niche sports with passionate followings and a taste for the extreme it makes for high YouTube views and free advertising for Red Bull drinks.  But what could this do for Sporting Club, since it really isn't selling a product like Red Bull?  Well it could draw even more attention to Sporting Kansas City, gaining fans all around the world and not just Kansas City.  Eventually it becomes a recognized brand not for any product it sells, but for quality athletes who want the exposure that Sporting Club could provide for them.  In the beginning, there may be need for payment of the athletes to wear Sporting Club gear*/logos, but if the network exposure is built well enough, you could get athletes asking to be a part of the club without any compensation other than exposure.

Sean Malto

Some local athletes to consider: 8-year old skateborder Evan Doherty,  Skateborder Sean Malto Tennis player and US Open Mixed Doubles champ Jack Sock, are three that come to mind that have been featured in the news lately.  I am sure there are other great runners, mountain bikers, drivers, base jumpers, volleyball players, gymnasts, and more in the area that could benefit from more exposure in the Sporting Club network. We just have to go out and find them. If you know of any comment here!

*Since Sporting Club/On Goal is technically a different trademark from Sporting Kansas City I presume they would not have to partner with just adidas and they could partner with Under Armor, Nike, reebok, whomever they choose.


Tennis: Maybe the Kansas City Explorers?  Although they also play in the summer against the MLS season, they have such a short season (2 weeks) it could work. This could be potentially open to rebranding as well.  Getting some soccer fans down to Barney Allis plaza or maybe putting a tennis court on the LiveSTRONG pitch might be fun.  Although no chanting during the game. Shhh!!  Maybe partner with Jack Sock on the team.  Buy local!

Potential Chants: Go! Sporting Go!

Name of Song/Chant: Go! Sporting Go!

To the tune of: Horto Magiko (from fans of Greek team Panathanaikos)

New Lyrics:
PROLOGUE then (VERSE - CHORUS) x3
(about 90 seconds)

Prologue: (Arms outstretched bouncing, chanting slow with emphasis at the end)
Goooo!!!! Sporting!!! Gooooo!!!
And we want everyone to knooooowww!!!
We are herrrre, to win the cuuup!
And we will never ever stop!

Verse: (clapping, chanting faster and louder)
I SAID NOW GO!!!! SPORTING GO!!!
WE ARE HERE AND WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW!
THAT WE ARE HERE, TO WIN THE CUP!!!!!
AND WE WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER STOP!!!!!

Chorus: (call and response, jumping with no clapping)
SPORTING (SPORTING!) -- KC (KC!)
FOREVER BLUE AND WE LIKE TO JUMP AND SING (JUMP AND SING!!)
SPORTING (SPORTING!) -- KC (KC!)
WE WILL CHEER YOU ON TO FINAL VICTORY!! (TO VICTORY)

Original person suggesting: Ojsgillt (Big Soccer) Adapted by Christian Sinclair

Soccer fans chanting Horto Magiko version:



Learning version with new Sporting KC lyrics: (admittedly uninspiring with one person chanting, but this is to teach the lyrics)


Chant Origins:
The chant is well known among soccer fans to belong to Panathinaikos Soccer team in Greece.  The song essentially compares the undying support and love of the team to the love of drugs.  Obviously we have changed the lyrics a little bit.  Other MLS supporter groups have done this with varied success, probably secondary to the complex lyrics, song structure.  This is obviously not one to pick up while you are at the game, but one that needs practice and a little memorization before the game.  But after seeing the version above at a BASEKTBALL game, there should be no reason with a little effort this couldn't be done at LiveSTRONG Sporting Park!

Heard at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park: Section 102 June, July, August 2011, reportedly tried in the Cauldron with alternate lyrics in past
Heard from other MLS supporters groups: Houston Dynamo Texian Army, Seattle Sounders Emerald City Supporters, Toronto U-sector

Why it works: original lyrics, already popular soccer chant, strong support for the team, incorporated arm movements, fast beat, call and response for those who don't get the majority of the lyrics
Why it might not: Not well know to any American fan, multiple verses with subtle changes, used by other MLS clubs, arm movements

#SKCChat 2011/10/04

Tuesday Nights at 8-9p (Central)

Host: Kris Colvin (@KrisColvin)
Topics:

1. TBD

Learn more about #SKCchat here.

Last week's #SKCchat Transcript

Gameday Recap: Match 32 at San Jose Earthquakes

Oct 1st, 2011 at Buck Shaw Stadium

Result: Draw (Still in first place in the Eastern Conference!)
Sporting KC 1 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes

Referee Report via RefRefs

Ad Astra SKC Gameday Preview Compilation

Links to Recaps: (links added as they get posted online)

• Sporting Kansas City Official
• Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• The Full 90 (KC Star) - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• The Oz Blog - 2 and 2 - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Bleacher Report - Alan T Hainkel (@FntnCitySoccer)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)

Man of the Match Selections:

• Simon Dawkins (SJ) - Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Matt Besler (KC) Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Teal Bunbury (KC) - The Oz Blog - 2 and 2 - Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)

From Crew sources

• Center Line Soccer

Match Video Highlights (from MLS)

MLS Highlights via YouTube:

Fan videos from the park: none found yet

Gameday Preview: Match 32 at San Jose Earthquakes

Oct 1st at Buck Shaw Stadium

Previous 2011 match
Sporting KC 1 - 0 San Jose Earthquakes at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park June 17th, 2011 - Recap

Ref: Alex Prus @AlexPrus - (yes a ref is on Twitter! )(report via @RefRefs)

Links to Previews: (links added as they get posted online - None as of yet, check back as the game gets closer)

• Official Sporting Kansas City Preview
• The Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• The Full 90 - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)

From Earthquakes Sources

• Official San Jose Earthquakes
• Centerline Soccer
• The Offside

Previous Match Video Highlights (from MLS - Microsoft Silverlight)

Previous Match Highlights (from MLShighlights2011 - YouTube)


Twitter Rosters
Sporting Kansas City - #SportingKC - #SKC (rare)
San Jose Earthquakes - #SJEarthquakes

Social Media Match Up

Facebook

Sporting Kansas City 43k defeat San Jose Earthquakes 26k

Twitter

Sporting Kansas City 18k defeats San Jose Earthquakes 7k

Gameday Twitter Coverage (Starting approximately 5 hours before the game and ending 5 hours after)

Gameday Recap: Match 31 vs. Columbus Crew

Sep 28th, 2011 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park

Result: Win (Now we are in first place in the Eastern Conference!)
Sporting KC 2 - 1 Columbus Crew

Referee Report via RefRefs

Ad Astra SKC Gameday Preview Compilation

Links to Recaps: (links added as they get posted online)

• Sporting Kansas City Official
• Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• The Full 90 - Terez Paylor (@TheFull90)
• Bleacher Report - Alan T Hainkel (@FntnCitySoccer)
• Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)
• Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• The Oz Blog - 2 and 2 Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)
• Sodagraphics Photo Blog
• The Front Men - (@TheFrontMen)
• The Footy Chronicles - (@TheFootyChronicles)

Man of the Match Selections:

• Davy Arnaud - Down The By Line - Mike Kuhn (@DowntheByline)
• Jimmy Nielsen (fan vote) - Daily Wiz KC - Justin Mayhugh - (@The DailyWizKC)
• Matt Besler - The Oz Blog Bryan McBeth - (@I_am_McBeth)
• Kei Kamara (Wiebe), Jimmy Nielsen (Edwards) Talkin' Touches Podcast - Andy Edwards and Andrew Wiebe (@AndyEdSKC and @AndrewWiebe_MLS)

From Crew sources

• Massive Report  - A must read about demoralized fans!
• Massive Report - Game Recap
• Columbus Dispatch

Match Video Highlights (from MLS)

MLS Highlights via YouTube


Fan videos from the park:

#SKCChat Transcript Sep 27, 2011

Host: Justin Mayhugh (@Justinmayhugh) from The Daily Wiz KC (@TheDailyWizKC)
Topics:

1. Who do you think Sporting's MVP is so far?
2. Who should start tomorrow: Teal or CJ?
3. What should Sporting do with Jeferson at the end of the year?
4. Starting XI?
5. How are you feeling about Sporting's playoff chances
6. Prediction vs. Crew

Tweetreach stats: 74,833 people reached by 501 tweets from 32 Twitterers.  Together we created 491,682 impressions about Sporting Kansas City.  Granted @KrisColvin is a big chunk of that with her thousands of followers, but together we can make a big impression that no other MLS supporters are doing.  And some of you may argue that for one hour this pollutes your Twitter stream with things you do not care about, but remember there are things besides Twitter you can do for an hour...  Also most people find they gain followers after participating in multiple chats.  If you contribute positively you will find that for the rest of the week you have more people to chat with.  In addition when you ever meet any of these people offline you will actually feel like you kind of know them!



Learn more about #SKCchat here.