Soccer enthusiasts from around the region paid homage to the World War I Christmas Truce from 1914 by participating in the inaugural Truce Tournament hosted by Sporting Club and the National World War I Museum.
More than 110 participants from 24 teams in the area competed in a 3v3 soccer tournament, while additional soccer fans took part in an English Premier League Boxing Day watch party on large projection screens inside the National World War I Museum. '88 All-Stars +1 from Topeka, Kan. eventually claimed the inaugural Truce Tournament title by defeating Miracles at the Marne 13-9 in the championship match.
'88 All-Stars +1
Brent Mulford (captain)
Josh Hardy
Joe Gerant
John Doyle
Daniel Meagher
"We look forward to making this an annual event for the Kansas City soccer community," said Sporting Club's Chief of Staff Greg Cotton. "This year has been incredibly memorable for soccer supporters in KC and today's events provided another great opportunity to showcase the growth of the sport in our city. Thanks to all the participants and partners for making The Truce a tremendous success in its debut."
The Truce Tournament is a tribute to the Christmas Truce of 1914 in which the battles of World War I on the Western Front temporarily subsided. Members of both sides laid down their arms in a time of war to celebrate a day of peace by venturing out to “No Man's Land” to exchange gifts, sing carols and play soccer.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have partnered with Sporting KC on such a successful event,” said National World War I Museum President & CEO Matthew Naylor. “The 1914 Christmas Truce was a remarkable event during an incredibly intense period of time along the Western Front. Without question, there are lessons to be learned from those soldiers who laid down their arms, while the Truce Tournament also gives the National World War I Museum another opportunity to educate the public about inspiring events during the Great War.”
In addition to Sporting Kansas City and the National World War I Museum, event sponsors also included the Ivy Funds, Boulevard Brewing Company, DISH Network and Papa John’s Pizza. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Victory Project in its mission to help kids in Kansas City who have cancer as well as the National World War I Museum.
