Melissa Etheridge on why CPKC Stadium is dream realized for 2 iconic tennis stars
The Soccer Capital of America is living up to its name this weekend.
With the NWSL Championship Game in Kansas City on Saturday night, “CBS Mornings” aired from CPKC Stadium. The show’s hosts, Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson made the trip from New York for the game.
The show took viewers on a tour of the stadium Friday morning.
Grammy Award-winning singer Melissa Etheridge, who will sing the national anthem before the game, talked about the pride she feels in Kansas City.
“The diversity and support of women always, it’s sort of a Midwestern thing,” said Etheridge, who grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas. “It’s you work hard, you play hard and you’re just nice. That’s just the rules. And you see that in town. ... It’s just a great sense of pride, and I’m not surprised.”
Etheridge said she couldn’t help but think of a couple of famous friends during her visit to CPKC Stadium: Tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King.
“Walking into the stadium, knowing it was built for a professional women’s team, is such a dream come true,” Etheridge said. “I remember, and — I’m going to drop names here, sorry — but sitting in 1993 at dinner with Billie Jean King and Martin Navratilova and the dreams they had for women’s sports.
“And seeing it come true, I texted her this morning and said, ‘It’s just that dream come true.’”
The Washington Spirit will face the Orlando Pride for the NWSL title on Saturday night. The game starts at 7 p.m.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 12:33 PM.