Heart—that one word encapsulated the essence of Sporting KC’s Special Olympics Unified team this season. After five months of training, teamwork, and tough competition, the team faced their final match against Real Salt Lake, but it was away from home this time. The journey was filled with unwavering spirit, showcasing athleticism and the profound connections formed along the way.
Sporting Kansas City counted with: Josh Toplikar, Antonio Romero, Martin Guerra, Helen Schmitt, Hallie Schmitt, German Castillo, Angel Castillo, Diego Saenz-Quintana, Shay Keller-Novelli, Gentry Scheid, Chase Hitchcock, Robert Fehr, Makhai Ezell, Kaylee Baggerly, Tyler Robonei, Merideth Billings and Valerie Fry.
As families gathered at the Kansas City downtown airport on Friday, September 12, the excitement in the air was palpable. The Sporting Unified team was set to travel with the first team to Sandy, Utah, for a doubleheader against RSL. Decked out in their Sporting KC Anthem jackets, generously provided by Highland Dairy, the players were ready to embrace the full experience of being part of a professional soccer journey. The enthusiasm only grew as players like Jansen Miller, Santiago Muñoz, and Manu García took the time to greet each player, wishing them luck and sharing in their excitement.
The weekend began with some memorable team bonding moments at the Snowbird Resort. RSL and SKC Unified teams left the competitiveness aside and joined in the spirit of Unified. The teams marveled at the stunning mountain views and enjoyed some thrilling attractions. Both teams engaged in activities like a challenging rope obstacle course, exhilarating slides, and a small coaster, forging deeper connections with one another and proving that even as competitors, heart is what’s most important.
After returning from their day of fun, it was time to get down to business. The team arrived at the match ready to give their all. Right before taking the pitch, Coach Phil Gomez gave a rousing speech and announced the team captains. Helen Schmitt, one of the team captains alongside Valerie Fry and Robbie Fehr, earned her spot through her dedication and positive attitude throughout the season. Overwhelmed with emotion when she heard the news of her captaincy just before taking the pitch, Helen was motivated to lead her team with passion.
The team gave their all, showing their grit despite a tough season. Merideth Billings took goal after healing from a fracture in her leg. Billings took her boot off for the first time right before the game and had some crucial saves. Unified Team Ambassador Mason Toye bragged on the sidelines about her hustle and dedication, telling fellow teammate Jansen Miller how impressive she was.
Martin Guerra scored for Sporting’s Unified team, and the Kansas City bench went wild. First-team players joined the Unified team in cheering on the team as each minute got more intense.
During the match, when the team faced adversity, Coach Phil spoke directly to Helen Schmitt, urging, "Give everything you got. I see it in you. You’ve got it." He also encouraged players with heartfelt affirmations like, “Robbie, I see your heart.” This supportive atmosphere fostered a familial bond among the players, each one lifting the others up, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience that defines the Special Olympics.
While the results on the pitch did not go favorably, they returned home with smiles, having truly poured their hearts into the game and showing everyone in attendance why it’s called the beautiful game.
This journey could not have been possible without The Victory Project, with the support of Special Olympics Kansas and Missouri. To learn more about Sporting KC's Special Olympics Unified team and their season, visit SportingKC.com/Unified.