Off the Pitch

On this episode we take a closer look at the heart of Sporting Kansas City and the work being done through The Victory Project, the philanthropic arm of Sporting KC dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by cancer. We sit down with Adrianne from The Victory Project to learn more about the organization’s mission, its gameday honoree program, Soccer Assist grants, Sporting Wishes, Special Olympics Unified, and the annual Kick Childhood Cancer game (9/19/2026). Adrianne also shares how the Victory Project has grown since its beginnings in 2017 and the lasting impact it has on Sporting KC players, families, and the Kansas City community. We’re also joined by George and his mom, Anne, to hear their personal Victory Project story. George talks about his experience with Sporting Kansas City, meeting players, visiting the training facility, receiving a special gift from John Pulskamp, his Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii, and some of the unforgettable moments that came along the way. From the impact of The Victory Project to the people and stories that make Sporting KC more than a soccer club, this episode is a look at the community behind the crest. 

Blake and Marika are back for another episode of Off The Pitch, going behind the scenes with the people who help make Sporting Kansas City what it is. First, Sporting KC’s medical staff, Kurt Andrews and Chris Wolbert, join the show to talk sports medicine, player injuries and recovery, game-day emergencies, and the relationships they’ve built with players and staff over the years. They share what it’s really like to care for professional athletes, the challenges of getting players safely back on the field, and some unforgettable stories from their time with the club. Then, the conversation continues behind the scenes with Sporting KC’s Kit Men, Mike Flaherty and Sam Jaksen, getting to know the people responsible for keeping the team’s kits and equipment ready to go. It’s a look at another side of Sporting Kansas City that fans don’t always get to see—and the personalities and traditions that help keep the club running off the pitch. 

Rivalry week is here. With St. Louis coming to Sporting Park for Blue Hell rivalry night, Blake and Marika count down their top three SKC vs. STL moments - from Pulido's brace to Dejan Joveljić leaping into the Cauldron to that unforgettable 2023 playoff win. Plus, they catch up on everything happening around KC, from throwback concerts at Morton Amphitheater to the easiest airport run in America. Then, new signings Or Blorian and Emir Karić join to talk settling into Kansas City, the newest member of the family (a puppy named Waffle), the tight-knit locker room, and why they believe the best team, not the best players, is what wins. They also share how the KC rivalry stacks up against the derbies they've experienced across their former clubs. 

Double digits! Blake and Marika are back in season and back home at Sporting Park, with the World Cup behind us and a packed second half ahead.In this episode, the duo runs through new signings, a Soccer Fan Crash Course for everyone who caught the bug during the World Cup, and a stacked lineup of theme nights - Soccer Capital of America, Harry Potter, Blue Hell vs. St. Louis, and Ted Lasso Night - before ranking their top five Ted Lasso characters. Then, Sporting Kansas City's PA announcer John Dale joins to share how a high school soccer coach became the voice of his hometown club, how he developed his signature style, and what it was like representing KC on the global stage - announcing four FIFA World Cup™ matches in Monterrey, including the 1,000th World Cup match in history.

The World Cup is in full swing in Kansas City — and Blake and Marika are living in it. In this episode, the duo reflects on their most memorable moments so far (Messi's hat trick, the Algerian fan takeover, the Netherlands orange parade), ranks their favorite fan bases of the tournament, and heads back out to Soccer Capital Summer watch party to hear from fans soaking up the World Cup atmosphere. Then, Sporting Kansas City's Jayden Reid joins Off the Pitch to talk his journey from the Red Bull Academy to UConn to KC, his thoughts on the World Cup's impact on American soccer, the upcoming St. Louis CITY rivalry he's already fired up for — and yes, the Valentine's Day song he quietly dropped. Hear it all on this episode!