Out and About
Ever wonder what it would be like to hang out with your favorite team or kick around with your favorite player? One young Sporting KC fan doesn’t have to wonder anymore thanks to EA SPORTS Game Time.
EA SPORTS Game Time gives youth reporters an all-access pass to their favorite professional athletes. These reporters take the cameras on the field and into the locker room as they get to play with the pros. Game Time is a weekly sports/education television program on a mission to inspire the next generation of professional athletes. So who better to host Game Time then the future pros themselves?
Oliver Bihuniak,14, was the lucky youth reporter selected for the shoot. EA SPORTS’ cameras focused in as Oliver talked and trained with Sporting KC players Soony Saad, Uri Rosell, Chance Myers, C.J. Sapong, Ike Opara, Mikey Lopez, Matt Besler, and Jimmy Nielsen. With his knowledge and familiarity of his hometown team, Oliver knew how to talk to the players as he interviewed several of the guys. Oliver’s soccer skills didn’t let him down in training either, as he was able to keep up with the pros as best as any 14-year-old could.
Training wrapped up with a huddle led by Besler, who then took Oliver into the locker room where he was presented with his own official #9 team jersey and shown what his locker would look like at Sporting Park.
Several times throughout the shoot, Oliver was asked how it felt and the only answer the youth reporter had for the day, “This is awesome.”
As the 14-year-old played with the pros at Sporting Park, he showed why he very well could be leading the charge of the next generation of professional athletes, impressing the coaching staff. “This kid’s good” was echoed by a couple of coaches on the day.
So if you ever wonder what it would be like to hang out with Sporting KC or kick around with your favorite Sporting player - take it from Oliver, it's awesome. Oliver's episode will air later this month.
Suds and summer with a splash of Sporting KC.
For the second straight year, Sporting Kansas City is proud to present the annual Summer Beer Festival, a tribute to craft beers and benefit for AIDS Walk Kansas City. The event will take place on Saturday, June 15th from 5-9 p.m. CT on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of McCoy’s in Westport.
Over 30 breweries from around the world will be highlighted during the event and all in attendance -- including Sporting Kansas City's Jimmy Nielsen, Benny Feilhaber and Seth Sinovic -- will receive a commemorative Sporting KC tasting glass, have the chance to sample more than 70 exclusive beers and enjoy the opportunity to mingle with the creators of the beers being poured. Visit BeerKC.com for a list of participating breweries.
Tickets for the Summer Beer Festival are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Get them here and RSVP on Facebook!
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen attended the Visitation Athletic Banquet in Kansas City on Monday. As the special guest speaker of the event, Nielsen addressed the middle schoolers and explained to them why he was such "a lucky man." The story touched on Nielsen's background as a soccer player and how he was asked to move to a new country (from Denmark to the United Kingdom) at the age of only 12 to play soccer.
The Sporting KC captain’s career may have started off quite fruitfully, but has had its share of turbulence along the way. Nielsen admittedly had one poor performance for Millwall after a handful of standout performances. After the match, Jimmy headed out to the bus only to notice it had left without him.
Nielsen went on explaining that it is the ups and downs of sport that help athletes recognize a good situation. And, according to Jimmy, that is exactly what he has in Kansas City.
Nielsen asked the audience questions about himself and Sporting KC throughout his presentation, providing tickets to Wednesday night's match against the Seattle Sounders for all correct answers. And, after he wrapped up the presentation, Jimmy signed autographs and took photos with all in attendance.
Sporting Kansas City’s first Victory Project honoree, Xander Reynolds, is one happy kid. Thanks to donations from Sporting KC fans, Xander recently received a very special gift.
Eight-year-old Xander has a brain tumor that is causing blindness in one eye and severely diminishing vision in the other. On April 5th, he was the guest of honor at Sporting’s match against D.C. United. That Friday also marked the launch of the Victory Project, a new community-driven foundation that gives owners and fans the chance to donate directly to a child affected by cancer. The project was a huge success that made a lasting impact on Xander and his family.
A month since his memorable night at Sporting Park, Xander now has a device at home that helps him see. The donations allowed him to purchase the TOPAZ CCTV, a special desktop monitor that enlarges information on a screen. Xander can now read and complete schoolwork at home like his classmates.
For more information about The Victory Project, visit VictoryKC.org.
Sporting KC is teaming up with ArtBra KC for a special VIP Experience prior to their annual runway show and auction this Friday at Signature Flight Support (10 NW Richards Road, Kansas City, MO) in the TWA Museum at the Downtown Airport. Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler, Michael Thomas and Graham Zusi will join players from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas State Wildcats to mingle with VIP ticket holders, who get a first look at auction items, small bites from Guadalajara Cafe, wine tastings, a performance by the MoonDrop Circus Aerial Artists and a chance to meet the ArtBra KC 2013 models.
VIP tickets are available for $150 and general admission tickets are on sale for $75. Purchase them online at kumed.com and !
All proceeds benefit the Patients in Need Fund at Missy's Boutique, an accredited appearance center at The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion. The fund ensures access to Missy's services for eligible uninsured/underinsured individuals.
Friday's event showcases approximately 70 work-of-art bras, designed and created by family and friends of breast cancer survivors, local artists, celebrities and volunteers. The "Top 25" bras are modeled by breast cancer survivors to celebrate their triumph over cancer, complete with runway costumes coordinated to the theme of the Art Bra they model.
Last year, Besler and Thomas were in attendance with Michael's aunt, Cindy Whittman, a breast cancer survivor. The bra (shown above) raised $1,700.
This past weekend, Sporting Kansas City mascot Blue was out and about in the KC community. On Saturday, Blue attended the Missouri Bank’s Pace for the Place 2.5 mile walk benefitting "The Children’s Place" in Brookside. Blue helped participants stretch and get ready for the walk and then made sure to cheer them on once it began. "The Children's Place" strives to assist young survivors of childhood traumas. Therapists, teachers, staff and volunteers associated with the program are committed to helping children recover while finding hope for their futures.
On Sunday, Blue was active again joining University of Kansas' Big Jay, University of Missouri's Truman, Kansas State University's Willie the Wildcat, Royal's Slugger and Kansas City Chief's KC Wolf at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for “The Orchestra Games.” The hour-long event was designed to teach children about instruments and basic music elements in conjunction with friendly competition. The show is modeled after the Olympics with all competitions showcasing a musical component, for example: "the Low Note Limbo" and the "Fast Note Dash." "The Orchestra Games" featured sing alongs to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", "Gonna Fly Now (Rocky theme song)" and several others along with a stand for the Seventh Inning Stretch.
Blue saw lots of Major League Soccer fans repping the club with their Sporting Style. Below is a slideshow from the event:
Recently we tweeted out a freestyle soccer video made by a member of Sporting Lincoln FC, one of the Academy Affiliate teams in the Sporting Club Network. Yushin Gossin, a 5th grade central midfielder from Lincoln, Nebraska, is the star of the video. The Gossin’s are active members in the Sporting Club Network, as Yushin even got the opportunity to participate in the Walk of Champions during the USA-Guatemala World Cup Qualifier at Sporting Park last October.
Yushin and his father, Jon Gossin, took some time to tell us a little bit more about how the video was made and where their inspiration came from.
Sporting Club Network: How long had you been practicing freestyle soccer?
Yushin Gossin: "Since last summer when I first started learning tricks. I first started watching YouTube videos, and would make a list of the tricks I liked and when I learned them I would check them off."
SCN: What is it that you like so much about freestyle soccer?
YG: "At first, juggling was just a way to improve my touch, but as I learned tricks, it became a lot more fun. A cool part about it is that it can be done anywhere and doesn’t have any rules you need to follow, so it’s also a great way to show my creativity."
SCN: What inspired you to make this video in the first place?
YG: "I made the video for my Grandpa, who passed away recently. Most of the tricks I’ve learned come from YouTube videos that my dad and I watch. We pick out moves and try to learn them one-by-one.
Jon Gossin: "His grandfather’s birthday was coming up, and we wanted to do something for his memory. He had always loved to watch Yushin play and especially loved his juggling skills. It took six weeks to make and hours of practice, but it came out great and was a lot of fun."
SCN: What’s your favorite trick? And do you have any new ones you are working on?
YG: "Well, my first move was the crossover, which I learned last summer. That’s probably my favorite. Right now, I’m working on the 'Double Around-The-World' and the 'hop around the world.'"
SCN: Do you have a personal record for successive juggles that you try to beat?
YG: "Right now my record is 2,354 in a row."
JG: "In October 2012, at the end of the fall season, Yushin won an award for most juggles in the club – with a record of 455. Since then, numerous other players in Sporting Lincoln FC have beaten his record, and every time that Yushin has his record beat, he immediately gets a ball and juggles until he has the top spot in the club again. This trend has continued through the whole winter to the point where now Yushin is in a battle with one of the 13-year-old's at the club and they’ve both exceeded 2,000 juggles in a row.
SCN: Who are your favorite all-time players?
YG: "My favorite players of all time are Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff. However, a big inspiration for me are many of the Sporting KC players, especially Graham Zusi, Matt Besler, Jimmy Nielsen, and (current Norwich City loanee) Kei Kamara."
SCN: Have you ever attended a live match at Sporting Park?
YG: "Besides the US Men’s World Cup Qualifier, I also went to the Sporting KC game versus DC United during the weekend of the Academy Affiliate Tournament last August."
SCN: What are your ultimate soccer goals in life?
YG: "I want to play for the United States of America in the World Cup. I would also play for Japan since my mom is Japanese, but before that I want to play for either Sporting Kansas City or Barcelona."
To see more videos of Yushin’s skills, check out his YouTube page here. To learn more about the Sporting Club Network, visit www.sportingkc.com/scn or email SCN@sportingkc.com.
Last night, Teal Bunbury attended Cub Scout Pack 3348’s meeting at Briarwood Elementary in Prairie Village.
Bunbury spoke to the nearly 70 scouts about growing up playing soccer and how hard work can pay off whether in school, at home or on the field.
After spreading his words of wisdom to the Cubs, Bunbury held a Q&A session where he faced a range of questions spanning from “Who were your role models growing up?” to some as goofy as “Have you ever been in a girls bathroom?”.
After the Q&A, Bunbury was touched to receive a “Get Well” card and baked goods from some thoughtful Cubs. The token of support was intended to help Bunbury get through his rehab and back on the field as he has been recovering from a knee injury.
The Cub Scouts are designed to pursue character development, citizenship training and personal fitness in boys. The Cub Scouts are the largest of three programs offered to boys from seven to 11 years old. The program is divided into four age-based levels: Tiger Cubs, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.
Thanks so much to Briarwood Elementary Cub Scouts for the get well card and goodies. Had a great time… instagram.com/p/YRJZTBJxn6/
— Teal Bunbury (@TealBunB) April 19, 2013
Sporting Park is proud to host the 2013 Greater Kansas City Walk MS on Saturday, April 27. Over 2,500 individuals are expected to participate in the event, which will feature one-, three- and six-mile routes that are fully accessible for people of all abilities.
“We’re really excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Walk MS with the announcement of our partnership with Sporting Park,” Allison Ihm, senior manager Walk MS said, “Walk MS is more than a fundraising event; it is a celebration of our community and our mission. We are ecstatic for the opportunity to raise awareness about MS and make more connections in our community through one large event in Kansas City.”
Walk MS participants can walk as an individual or part of a team, and the event also encourages opportunities to volunteer, fund raise and/or donate. Registration is free and takes place online at walk.MSmidamerica.org or by calling 1-800-344-4867. You can also RSVP on Facebook.
Everyone who registers to participate in Walk MS will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets for Sporting Kansas City's match later that day against the Portland Timbers at 7:30 p.m. CT. The deadline to purchase your Sporting KC seats is April 15 and tickets are limited. Contact Darin Canova at 913-387-3443 to take advantage of the Walk MS offer.
Sporting Kansas City players Chance Myers, Seth Sinovic and Michael Thomas participated in a youth soccer clinic on Sunday benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year campaign. All three teammates led an 80-minute clinic for boys and girls ages 6-12 at the Roe Park Soccer Field in Overland Park, Kan. with all the proceeds going towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Kansas City.
LLS strives to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Visit www.lls.org/mid to learn more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and check out the photo slideshow below of Myers, Sinovic and Thomas at the clinic this weekend.