Soccer Culture

Although the Sporting Kansas City players were off from MLS action over the weekend, six of the players made sure to spend time with Special Olympics Kansas athletes. SOKS is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports competitions for those with intellectual disabilities.

Chance Myers, Oriol Rosell, Seth Sinovic, Eric Kronberg, Michael Thomas and C.J. Sapong had a blast playing a variety of games with the athletes. First, the Sporting KC players participated in basic dribbling and shooting drills with the SOKS athletes. Then the real fun began when they played games such as beat the crab (athletes try to dribble the ball past players that are in a crab position) and treasure hunt (athletes dribble the ball to a pile of treasure, pick up a piece and take it back to a Sporting player).

To finish up, Sporting KC players signed autographs, took pictures, and gave out mini scarves to the fun, spirited group of athletes and families. This fun-filled day was made possible soon after Special Olympics of Kansas became the most recent Sporting Club Network member. For more information on the Sporting Club Network and the benefits of being a member, please visit the SCN website, Twitter, and Facebook.

After the long wait for warm weather, the Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation Soccer Abilities Camp was finally held with more perfect weather than any kid could ask for. Kids from around the Kansas City area -- normally at a disadvantage to compete in soccer -- relaxed and played with others just like them. They even had the opportunity to work on drills with a few Sporting Kansas City players.
 
The event is held annually at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park for kids with a variety of disabilities, although they might fool on the field. Once the participants started playing and laughing, their true abilities and kindness shined.
 
Benny Feilhaber, Aurelien Collin, Seth Sinovic and Michael Thomas played with the participants through small acts such as passing the ball, goalkeeping or even giving piggy back rides during a scrimmage. Not only did players help, but Futura FC, a local club team, and many other volunteers came to help with drills as well.
 
To end the night, kids, players and volunteers shared popsicles, hugs and silly stories. Players also signed player cards, took pictures and gave out mini scarves to all in attendance. The wait for weather was worth it after all the memories created.

When Sporting Kansas City and Rally House announced a new three-year sponsorship agreement earlier this month, we hinted that there would be some pretty cool promotions coming out of the partnership. Like Kei Kamara signing autographs last night at their Oak Park location. And Jimmy Nielsen hosting a book signing event at the NKC store on June 8.

Now comes tomorrow's launch of the Rally House Ultimate Fan Experience which is offering up a major prize pack for one lucky Sporting KC supporter. Check out what the winner walks away with:

• $500 credit/gift card for shopping spree with a Sporting Kansas City player
• Authentic Sporting Kansas City jersey
• Two (2) tickets to July 13 match against Toronto FC, featuring...
  • Sporting Kansas City player meet and greet
  • Sporting Park stadium tour
  • Pre-game field access to watch warm-ups

Starting tomorrow, enter to win online at SportingKC.com/RallyHouse or fill out a form at one of the seven Kansas City metro area Rally House and Kansas Sampler locations. The contest ends June 30th and the winner will be randomly chosen on July 2nd.

Follow @KansasSampler & @SportingKC on Twitter for all the latest on the contest, and be sure to check out the Rally House Sporting KC Fans page on Facebook.

To commemorate Memorial Day, Sporting Kansas City asked veterans to share stories about moments when their military service and soccer crossed paths. Below are a few of the best submissions as we remember our armed forces who have sacrificed their lives in commitment to our country.

I had the choice when enlisting in the Army back in 2001 of either Germany or Korea. Knowing that the 2002 World Cup was in Korea I had to go to Korea being the huge soccer nut that I am. Korea was a blast and I did see a World Cup game while stationed in Korea. - Dan (Army)

I spent a total of 33 years in the United States Air Force, 8 1/2 years on active duty and 24 1/2 years with the 442nd Fighter Wing (USAF Reserves). In 1980, my wife and I deployed to England for 79 days. During this period, I spent time in Darahan, Saudi Arabia providing embassy support for US Embassies throughout Saudi Arabia. While there I witnessed youngsters playing futbol on the sand pitches near where we were working from early in the mornings until night fall. I have to say, this was very impressive due to the extreme heat they were enduring. Another time while I was deployed to the town of Cuxhaven in northern Germany, I went for a walk after work and followed the sounds of what appeared to be some sort of sporting event. I strolled up a long winding path through the forest and came upon what was an "intramural" soccer match between young and old adults. This was in late January and it was cold and a heavy mist was falling. I hung around till it was almost too dark to find my way back to my hotel enjoying this friendly competition of what I found out through the players was a match pitting two local factories. - Bobby (Air Force)

Ft. Jackson, basic training 2011-- a spontaneous game of soccer broke out in our barracks when somebody wadded up an entire roll of duck tape belonging to the Drill Sgts. into a makeshift soccer ball during a rare moment of down time!! Hooah! - Jose (Army)

I was never a huge soccer fan even though I went to Galaxy games when I was stationed in California. What really brought a love of the game to my heart was watching futbol with the Peruvian commandos and Australian Marines and seeing how it's a way of life in other parts of the world. I started paying a lot more attention to the sport when I got back to KC, and thankfully Sporting was there to root for! - Ryan (Marines)

While deployed to Iraq in 2004 I experienced many things good and bad. One of my fondest memories happened when some of my fellow soldiers and I played a pick up game of soccer with the Turkish workers on our forward operating base. It was very hot that day in Mosul. We waited for evening to approach to begin the game. We played on a decent dirt field that actually had two goals. The game was very intense. Everyone playing seemed to forget where we were in the world and performed as though they were on the world stage playing for country. It was a true escape. After the hard fought game we shook hands and had a new respect for one another. That game gave all of us the distraction we needed with a game we all loved. - John (Army)