photo via Flickr user ramseymohsen, under Creative Commons license
It’s soccer season again, and although I spend plenty of time watching my kids play in their own soccer games out at the Overland Park Soccer Complex, we decided last week it was high-time we checked out Kansas City’s own Sporting KC soccer stadium, also known as Livestrong Park.
Out at The Legends shopping area, smack dab between Nebraska Furniture Mart and the Kansas Motor Speedway, sits a gorgeous, brand new soccer stadium. With real grass turf and shiny new seats. And a fan club called the KC Cauldron, a fan club to beat any and all fan areas I have ever seen, in any sport.
Every time Kansas City scores a goal, blue and white confetti shoots out of a cannon and sprinkles down on the fans and seats. Unlike at Kauffman or Arrowhead Stadium, the lower level seats are much closer to the actual play of the game, so you can see really well. This makes it much easier to feel part of the game, and see the players on the field making plays, shooting goals, and sometimes, goofing around. It’s clear they love what they do and have a blast doing it.
Also unlike professional baseball or football, MLS soccer games are the perfect length for little kids. Each half is 45 minutes, with a halftime break which allows enough time to hit the bathroom and get a snack. So really, it’s under two hours start to finish, just enough time for everyone to have fun without getting bored, hot, tired and cranky for the ride home.
Parking is free, but a little far out, so you want to leave yourself plenty of time to get parked, catch a trolley in, and find your seats before the start of the game. Tailgating is allowed, and there are plenty of trash and recycling bins scattered throughout the parking lot which not only promote firing up the portable grill, but also allow people to responsibly clean up after themselves. And they do.
Sporting KC is 5-0 as of this posting, their best start ever in a season. It’s an exciting time to take the kids along and get caught up in the spirit. Whether you’re a soccer family or not, a spring evening watching Sporting KC own the field in their shiny new stadium is a lovely way to spend the time with your kids.
Hope everyone’s having a great week and ready for a gorgeous weekend! We’ve got still another terrific giveaway…courtesy of our friends and advertising partners at 
