Sporting KC

SportsBeat KC: Sporting KC is restarting its MLS season ... again. This time with fans

When Sporting Kansas City returns home next week, fans will be in the stands.
When Sporting Kansas City returns home next week, fans will be in the stands. Associated Press file photo

Sporting KC is on the verge of a re-start ... for the second time.

Every Major League Soccer team was deactivated because of the COVID-19 pandemic until the MLS is Back Tournament reopened the season last month. Once that tourney’s knockout round started, losing teams were finished at the Orlando site and returned home to await the resumption of the regular season.

For Sporting KC, that’s more than three weeks between games. SKC is at Minnesota United FC on Friday in Minneapolis. Sporting KC then returns home Tuesday to play host to Houston, with some 2,500 fans allowed to watch the game at Children’s Mercy Park. That will make Sporting the first KC team to allow fans at a game since the global outbreak began.

Sporting KC writer Shaun Goodwin discusses having fans in the stands and several other topics on this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast with host Blair Kerkhoff. After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting KC CEO Jake Reid, who discusses the return of the fans.

Story links

Sporting Kansas City CEO discusses decision to let fans back in stadium for home games.

Sporting KC unveils schedule for remainder of 2020 with reduced capacity at home games

St. Louis’ new MLS team accidently leaked its name and crest before unveiling

This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM with the headline "SportsBeat KC: Sporting KC is restarting its MLS season ... again. This time with fans."

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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