FC Kansas City settles into new home at Swope Soccer Village

Just a few hundred yards away from FC Kansas City practice, three workers were putting the final touches on the field that will serve as the new home of the defending National Women’s Soccer League champions.

The Blues, who are testing out their third home in three seasons, will christen the Swope Soccer Village at 7 p.m. on Thursday night when they host Seattle Reign FC, whom they beat in the NWSL title game.

Although they technically already had their first home game on April 12 at Sporting Park, they are taking ownership of this field and calling it the #Swopener on social media.

“It was an awesome experience to play at Sporting Park, but I think it is cool to be able to play here and start our home tradition playing on this awesome field,” midfielder Lauren Holiday said.

The field is all grass, which will be new for FC Kansas City, and the stadium has a 4,000-seat capacity, according to team representatives. Nonseason ticket holders will be charged $5 in cash for parking and will be able to tailgate in the lots surrounding the stadium.

Of course, FC Kansas City is also excited for another season opener given the way the last one ended. FC Kansas City fell 1-0 to Sky Blue FC and after two games is still looking for its first victory. The Blues posted an 8-0-4 record at home last season.

“We defended our field and of course we took a lot of pride (in that),” coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “We were hoping to continue that streak with the first game and I think we played well enough to defend it, but that is the game of soccer.”

This game will not be any easier. The Blues will have to contain 2014 MVP Kim Little, who led the NWSL in scoring with 16 goals last season. Seattle’s Laura Harvey was tabbed as coach of the year.

“It has always been a battle when we play them, and I am sure they are going to come out ready to get us for that final game,” Andonovski said. “We are not going to worry much about what they have in mind. We have to focus on ourselves and what we do best.”

FC Kansas City will counter with the league’s No. 2 scorer in Amy Rodriguez, who is playing her final game with the Blues before heading to the U.S. Women’s National Team camp in preparation for the World Cup. Teammates Becky Sauerbrunn, Lauren Holiday and Heather O’Reilly will join her.

Seattle will send Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 6:05 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City settles into new home at Swope Soccer Village."