Breaking Down the Other “Pro” Sports Teams Around The Metro
Yes, KC has a Major League Quidditch Team
FC Kansas City
First up is “FC Kansas City” of the National Women’s Soccer League. Nicknamed “The Blues” this team has dominated the league, formed in 2012. The Blues didn’t start play until a year later, but that did little to deter them from success. Playing home games at Swope Soccer Village (officaly, Children’s Mery Victory Field) they won back to back titles in 2014 & 2015. They even had some players I’ve heard of including two time Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday. A majority of the current squad has a Wikipedia page, which brings some legitimacy to this team. At the end of the day the though, this is Women’s soccer. There are 10 teams in the NWSL, but not too many Americans care. I follow women’s soccer once every 4 years, rootin’ for the good ole US & A and I don’t see that changing.
Swope Park Rangers
The other team to call Swope Park home. They’ve been around since 2015 as a member the United Soccer League, which is basically the minor leagues to the MLS. As the farm team to Sporting KC, they rock a very similar logo to their pro affilate and their home jersey shares a lot of similarities. Inexplicably, their away uniform is fluorescent orange. Along with their sister team, the Rangers boast a suprising number of players with Wikipedia pages. Still, the only way I’m going to Swope Park is if I get dragged to Starlight or go to the zoo.
Kansas City T-Bones
I love everything about the T-Bones. Being a member of the American Association of Proffesional Baseball means this team has no ties to any Major League Team. This team unsuprisingly has zero members of its roster with Wikipedia pages. You gotta figure the players have normal jobs, at least in the offseason, right? Either way, the logo is a buff bull named “Sizzle”, with a “T” tattoted on his arm. This team playing right outside of Legends Outlets at Community of America Ballpark in KCK is all about fun. They have gimmicky promotions and cheap beer. T-Bones games make for a fun, relaxing night.
Kansas City Phantoms
Ah, “Phantoms” great choice, like the F-4 Phantom… which was JUST put out of service by the US Military before this member of the Champions Indoor Football league began play. Great omen. There’s no way this team will suffer a similar demise as the Kansas City Command, or the Kansas City Brigade, (which were basically the same exact team, with a very similar logo to that of the Phantoms) or even the Kansas City Renegades. Calling Silverstein Eye Center Arena in Indapendence home, the Phantoms won’t have to travel too far for away games. Wichita, Dodge City, Salina and Omaha all have teams as well.
Missouri Mavericks
The primary tenet of Silverstein Eye Center Arena the Mavericks play in the ECHL, a sort of AA to the National Hockey League. They are an affiliate of both the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (think AAA) and New York Islanders (but also working with the St. Louis Blues). The Mavs are owned by Lamar Hunt Jr., so they should be in good hands. If you’re a hockey fan, this is the only thing KC has right now, so please go and support them, maybe we’ll get an NHL team.
Kansas City Storm
There is evidently a women’s proffesional football league where the women don’t wear lingerie. Boring. In my very minimal research on this team it appears they are currently a member of the Women’s Xtreme Football League based in Oklahoma. They’ve been around since 2004 though, playing in such high profile games as WHB 810 Sports’ 5th annual Turkey Bowl fundraiser as ringers for the team from 97.3 the Planet. The Storm have been through their highs and lows, losing to the St. Louis Slam 77–0 in 2009. They came roaring back the next year going undefeated in their seven game season… against two differnt opponents. If for some reason you would like to attend a Storm game, you can find them April-June at North Kansas City High School.
Kansas City Comets
This team isn’t the same Kansas City Comets that played at Kemper Arena from 81–91, but they very well could be. It’s still indoor soccer but these guys play at Silverstein Eye Center and are members of the Major Arena Soccer League. Like most of these small obscure teams, the Comets have bounced around from league to league but their ownership seems to be consistent as the same group who runs FC Kansas City runs the Comets.
Kansas City Blues
Having been around since 1966, these guys are easily the most tenured on the list. That being said, big emphasis on the word “club” in their logo (which is awesome). The Blues are several different teams playing in several different divisions. I think. Honestly, I’m not sure, its confusing but sounds pretty cool. To directly quote their Wikipedia page:
“The Kansas City Blues are made up of men from all walks of life. The active roster boasts a range in player’s ages from 19–43, consisting of students, doctors, lawyers, sales people, IT, corporate executives, teachers, and more.”
Home games are at the Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee.
Kansas City Power
In Australia they have different rules for football. They call it “Australian rules football”, or “footy”. We call it that in America too. I don’t know the difference between Austrialian rules football and rugby but I guess there are some. Thats pretty much all I got. The Power are Kansas City’s representative in the United States Australian Football League, and is it just me or does their logo kind of look like a politcal statement?
Kansas City Stampede
NEEERDS! That awesome logo belongs to none other than the Kansas City Stampede of Major League Quidditch. I read the Harry Potter books when I was a kid. I remember quidditch. I know it has something to do with flying broomsticks, and a flying ball, and I’m pretty sure there are dudes with bats. So I have no idea how Major League Quidditch is played by a bunch of muggles… I’m all in though. I can’t imagine the guys (and gals?) out there playing quidditch are very athletic. Sign me up, I want to dominate. I’m 6'1, 180. I can run a mile in sub 6:30, I even have my own broom. Any of you Stampeders out there reading this hit me up, I’m your new MVP.
