Sporting KC’s Unified team played its second and final match against Minnesota United on July 22 at Victory Field at Swope Park. The stands were filled with Unified team family, friends, and supporters, and the cheers could be heard by the players.
Sporting's Unified team was supported by some World Cup talent. The public announcer for the game was Sporting KC's very own John Dale, who had recently returned from Monterrey, Mexico, after being the English PA for the World Cup matches. In the game, the action was a World Cup™ referee and a Kansas City native, Kyle Atkins.
Minnesota and Sporting Unified have faced off before, and the matches are always intense. Both teams are competitive, and the games always end with many goals scored. This match was no different. Sporting's defense was solid in the first quarter, with the team stopping its rival's momentum in the final third. Robert Wren had some great saves on goal, and SKC Unified veteran Shay Keller-Novelli had some great clearances.
Minnesota United scored a couple of goals in the first half, but Sporting never gave up. With a 2-0 deficit, it could still be anyone's game. On the Sporting side, Makhai Ezell and Luis Picazo got close, but ultimately it was Piper Hinson who scored the first goal for the home team. Hinson celebrated with a hand heart, and then the bench ran out to celebrate. After months of work together, this team was ready to celebrate the wins.
The second half saw a change in goal for Sporting. Tyler Robonei took the field in goal and was a brick wall for Sporting. As a Unified veteran, Robonei is no stranger to tough games. The game also saw the return of Ithan Rodriguez to the pitch. After suffering an injury in St. Louis a week earlier, it was unclear whether this athlete would make it to the pitch, but after getting the all-clear, Rodriguez gave his all every time he was subbed on.
Despite the heat and intensity of the game, neither team backed off the gas. The game remained a back-and-forth, and Minnesota scored again, but Sporting quickly responded. Clint Ryals found his chance and got Sporting back on the books. The bench went wild, cheering on their teammate with chants of "Let's Go Sporting, Let's Go!" echoing.
Minnesota got the win, but Sporting played their heart out. Every player gave their best and showed up for one another, but the best part was that after the final whistle, the players who had been rivals became friends.
Sporting's players went to thank their families and supporters for coming out to cheer them on, and Sporting players were even asked for their autographs. The teams received their match pennants and took photos together and shared a post game meal provided by Whataburger.
But the fun didn't stop there. Later in the evening, Minnesota and Sporting players met at Dave & Buster's for some games and bonding before heading to Sporting Park to watch their first teams face off.
Thanks to UMB, both teams had the best view in the house and were seated in the Argyle Suite. Helen Schmitt and Kaylee Baggerly joined Michael Garcia, VP, Branch Manager, and UMB Abilities BRG Co-Chair, on the field for the coin toss. Both Schmitt and Baggerly were selected to represent Sporting KC at the Unified All-Star Game in Charlotte, NC.
At halftime, the teams played a friendly scrimmage on the pitch, where the score didn't matter; it was more for the love of the game. As the game concluded, so did the Unified season, but the memories and friendships formed will live on.
To stay up to date on all things Special Olympics Unified, visit SportingKC.com/Unified or follow The Victory Project on social.