Off the Pitch

Say hello to our new studio! We’re talking all things Kansas City, from the Parade of Hearts to upcoming FIFA World Cup™ fan events at Sporting Park, before settling the most important debate in KC: who can draft the perfect barbecue plate? Then, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Manu Garcia joins Off the Pitch to talk life in KC, his love of rodeos, bagpipes, espresso, and how a Spanish kid from Oviedo found a home in the Midwest. Plus, Sporting KC's eMLS player, Gustavo Nascimento, stops by to share his incredible journey to representing Sporting KC competitively in FIFA. 

Blake and Marika are back—and with spring here, the MLS season is officially underway. In this episode, the duo breaks down their all-time favorite retro Sporting KC kits ahead of Retro Night (3/21/2026 at Sporting Park) and dives into the growing FIFA World Cup™ excitement coming to Kansas City.Then, Sporting Kansas City’s Jansen Miller joins the show to talk downtown KC life, his famous cat Hank, new teammates, and why Kansas City already feels like home—with a little trash talk thrown in for good measure.

Welcome to Off the Pitch — the official Sporting Kansas City podcast and your go-to source for everything Sporting KC, MLS, soccer, and Kansas City culture. In our very first episode, we're keeping it real: meet your hosts, Blake Aerni (the voice of Sporting KC) and Marika Davis (in-stadium host at Sporting Park), two Kansas City natives who are bringing their group chat energy straight to your earbuds. We're talking about why we built this show, what makes KC unlike any other city in America, and what's coming up this season — because there is a lot. Whether you're a die-hard Sporting KC season ticket holder or you're just discovering soccer ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer (less than 100 days away!), this podcast is for you. We'll bring you behind-the-scenes access, KC culture deep dives, player interviews, and the stories that never make the highlight reel. New episodes drop every other week. Hit subscribe so you never miss a thing. ⚽🏙️