For the Glory KC is back with the 185th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City have less going on, so we quickly cover their streamed scrimmage and signing for the future, but mostly focus on how the World Cup may impact the future of Sporting KC.

In KC Current news, they bounced back from their bad Challenge Cup loss to win the first ever meeting against the Denver Summit. We also get into our thoughts on the potential stadium expansion to 18,000 seats.

But For the Glory KC is a "World Cup podcast" now according to Sheena. So, we spend a lot of time on the disappointing results of the USMNT vs Belgium game from Monday night (including a watch party review of Current Landing).

We ask a lot of questions of this team and it's future. Can the United States ever win anything at the World Cup? Is this a success? Did the President's involvement in the Balogun red card situation taint the games? Does it ruin all the goodwill of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Plus, we talk about our favorite games of the tournament, many of which happened in the last few days. Cape Verde magic coming up short. England going into the Azteca and pulling off a victory over Mexico. So much soccer and so little time. What will we do with our lives when the World Cup is over in just 12 days? There are no games today, so listen to our nearly two hour podcast instead!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro & a New Puppy - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 7:06
• KC Current - 27:46
• USMNT, Kansas City and the World Cup - 41:08

Upcoming Games

• Sporting KC vs. Atlanta United (scrimmage), THUR, July 9th at 8:30AM CST
• KC Current @ Orlando Pride, FRI, July 10th at 7:00PM
• Argentina vs. Switzerland, SAT, July 11th at 8:00PM
• Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City, THUR, July 16th at 7:30PM
• KC Current vs. San Diego Wave, FRI, July 17th at 7:00PM
• Full World Cup Schedule

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 184th episode of the show!

The podcast returns after its longest hiatus in nearly four years after an unexpected tragedy in the Smith household a few weeks ago. So much has happened, so it's a plus-sized podcast this week.

Sporting Kansas City signed not one, but two players during our absence. The backline rebuild may be complete with the additions of left back Emir Karic and center back Moises Mosquera. That's two of the four to seven rumored signings coming for Sporting KC during this summer transfer window.

We also talk about the Sporting KC friendlies against England and the Des Moines Menace, Logan Ndenbe's new club and an all-star team for Luca Antongirolami from the SKC Academy and SKC II.

In KC Current news, they return to play in the NWSL Challenge Cup and left a lot to be desired. Their form away from home continued to suffer in a 2-0 loss to defending NWSL Champions, Gotham FC. It was a tale of missed chances for the Current, and unforced errors on the other end of the pitch.

That wasn't the only Kansas City Current news though, as the team made a series of roster moves in the last few weeks. Ally Sentnor has been traded, Temwa Chawinga is sticking around longer, and seven other players find themselves as free agents.

But no soccer podcast would be complete without talking about the World Cup. We've been all over the city taking in watch parties and we even talk a little soccer, including the red card discussion for Folarin Balogun in the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This article doesn't do it justice; you'll just need to listen to the pod to get into the multitude of topics we discuss!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• Neymar not going to FC Cincinnati but maybe going to another MLS team
• Robert Lewandowski going to the Chicago Fire

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro, Absence Update and Watch Parties - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 11:03
• KC Current - 30:52
• USMNT, Kansas City and the World Cup - 54:45
• Digital Crawl - 1:38:55

Upcoming Games

• Colombia vs. Ghana, FRI, July 3rd at 8:30PM CST (in KC)
• KC Current @ Denver Summit, FRI, July 3rd at 8:30PM
• USMNT vs Belgium, MON, July 6th at 7:00PM
• Full World Cup Schedule

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 183rd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City made news this week, despite being on their extended World Cup break. The Athletic reported that Sporting KC are interested in future Ivory Coast and current Toulouse winger, Yann Gboho. The French club is asking for $20 million for the left winger. We grind tape (for real this time) and learn more about Gboho. Plus, get into the newfound ambition of Sporting KC under new majority owner Peter Mallouk who confirmed the team is "doing everything [they] possible can during the break."

Most of the rest of the podcast is dedicated to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From the United States Men's National Team and their outstanding performance against Paraguay to all things Kansas City and the World Cup. We went to the Fan Fest, the Plaza, Crown Center, Union Station and a Netherlands watch party.

The short version: go out and experience it! There is so much to do and see, even beyond the games. Make some new soccer friends! It was all beautifully run and organized.

We also get into our play-by-play of the Kansas City World Cup Fan Fest. We have some tips for travel and to stay hydrated (for free), as well as other things you can do for cheap or free to take in this experience.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• The KC Current are looking to expand their stadium
• HB Køge Women win another trophy
• more World Cup fever!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro, World Cup and Meeting Listeners - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 13:04
• USMNT - 30:02
• Kansas City and the World Cup - 49:51
• Digital Crawl - 1:29:33

Upcoming Games

• Argentina vs. Algeria, TUE, June 16 at 8:00PM CST (in KC)
• England vs. Croatia, WED, Jun 17 at 3:00PM
• USMNT vs Australia, FRI, June 19 at 2:00PM
• Scotland vs. Morocco, FRI, June 19 at 5:00PM
• Netherlands vs. Sweden, SAT, June 20 at 12:00PM
• Ecuador vs. Curacao, SAT, June 20 at 7:00PM (in KC)
• Full World Cup Schedule

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 182nd episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City and the KC Current didn't play matches this week because of the World Cup break, but we're doing something new for us. We interviewed Nate Bukaty on this week's podcast! It's our first ever interview and Nate was a great first ever guest.

He was on to promote his new book that he co-authored with Rustin Dodd, "Perfect Pitch: How Kansas City became the Heart of American Soccer and Landed the World Cup."

Nate was a delightful interview as we learned about how he got to the job he has today. He talked about the 70+ interviews he did and how he has caught the bug of writing and wants to keep writing. It sounds like he has the material for 10 books considering the folks he interviewed that didn't make it in.

I got the chance to talk to Nate about being friends with a bunch of Sporting KC legends and future legends like Matt Besler, Benny Feilhaber, Graham Zusi (aka Uncle Graham - you've gotta listen to get that story), Roger Espinoza and more!

We learned about Kansas City nearly as much as we learned about soccer. Go follow Nate on Twitter and Instagram. He's also on a mission to find everyone on the cover of his book and give out a copy, so if you recognize anyone above hit us or Nate up!

Speaking of free copies of the book, we're going to give away a copy here in the coming weeks if you aren't lucky enough to be able to buy one on your own. Otherwise, hit up your local bookstore or anywhere books are sold and buy "Perfect Pitch" today! Or join the waitlist at the library!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Nate Bukaty Interview - 2:55
• After Dark Nonsense - 50:00

Upcoming Games

• The World Cup starts Thursday! (Full Schedule)

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 181st episode of the show!

Before we got to the regularly scheduled podcast content, we had to talk about the KC Soccer Journal's collab with the Olathe Indian Creek Library. That also led into Sheena's impromptu review of Nate Bukaty's new book, "Perfect Pitch" about Kansas City bidding and getting the World Cup in 2026. Nate will be a guest on a future For the Glory KC!

But before then, back to our regularly scheduled content.

Sporting Kansas City aren't playing matches since it's the World Cup break, but that doesn't mean there wasn't news. David Lee made waves with rumors of "four to seven, starter-level" additions being his goal for the secondary transfer window. Not only did Lee weigh in, but new majority owner Peter Mallouk chimed in as well.

We talk about our thoughts on their statements then where the additions should be made. According to reports, Lee said three defenders, three attackers and a midfielder. I tried to get specific with my needs and pushed my co-host to do the same. There are so many possibilities, despite the uptick in results recently. Sporting KC are still only one spot up from the bottom of the whole league, so almost no position is safe.

Beyond the roster, there was plenty of international call-up news, including the unfortunate news that no Sporting KC players made a World Cup roster. Also, SKC II won again, in a wild one against the Real Monarchs.

The KC Current did play soccer this week and gutted out at 1-0 win over expansion side Boston Legacy FC. It wasn't always pretty and it was downright violent, but Kansas City found a way. Not without some injuries along the way. We talked about Kayla Sharples and Ally Sentnor's injuries, some up and down performances and of course, Temwa Chawinga's game winning goal that had plenty of players (Bethune, LaBonta, Izzy) pitching in.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• The USMNT's win over Senegal in a World Cup tune-up
• and the arrival of Argentina in Kansas City

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro, Our Library Event and a Book Review - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 18:56
• KC Current - 52:17
• Digital Crawl - 1:10:38

Upcoming Games

• USMNT vs Germany - SAT, June 6th @ 1:30PM CST
• SKC II vs. MNUFC2 - MON, June 8th @ 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 180th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, the KC Soccer Journal is having a free event at the Indian Creek Library in Olathe. Tickets are free and you can get them here!

Sporting Kansas City couldn't string together three wins in a row for the first time since 2022. Perhaps after MLS returns from the 2026 FIFA World Cup break. Sporting KC nearly pulled off the comeback after a slow start against Red Bull New York on Saturday night.

It was Star Wars night at Sporting Park and Sheena and I talk our off the field escapades, in addition to what happened on the pitch. After New York's quick start, Sporting KC generated numerous opportunities and nearly doubled RBNY's expected goal (xG) output, according to Fotmob (1.69 to 0.88).

Though they had the greater chances, they failed to finish too consistently. Additionally, their mistakes were punished more readily. That doesn't even account for all the chances that didn't lead to a shot when a player took one too many touches or made a poor pass to kill an attack. Despite that, Kansas City remained in the game until the dying minutes. A welcome change after 5-0 and 6-0 blowouts just a few weeks back.

We talk through all the highs and lows, as well as time spent on Capita, Berg Johnsen, Manu Garcia, Taylor Calheira, Shapi, Jake Davis and others. Sheena even breaks out a top-ranking list for SKC and the Current.

In addition to the game, we talk through Austin FC firing their coach and Sporting Director after losing to Sporting KC, Or Blorian leaving his last club on a high, Zorhan Bassong's shot at a World Cup roster and Zamir Loyo Reynaga scoring in his latest international endeavor.

The KC Current were up and down this week. They ended the week on a high, beating the then first place Portland Thorns. But their midweek road loss to Angel City FC soured the week a bit. Temwa Chawinga continued her Golden Boot climb and the ongoing Ally Sentnor/Haley Hopkins debate gets another chapter.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• SKC II results
• Messi injured?
• USMNT roster for the World Cup!

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 1:59
• KC Current - 54:18
• Digital Crawl - 1:14:41

Upcoming Games

• SKC II @ Real Monarchs, FRI, May 29th at 9:00PM CST
• KC Current vs Boston Legacy, SAT, May 30th at 12:30PM 

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 179th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, the KC Soccer Journal is having a free event at the Indian Creek Library in Olathe. Tickets are free and you can get them here!

Sporting Kansas City went from one of their worst performances ever to an incredible bounce-back week. After losing to the Portland Timbers last weekend by an abysmal 6-0 scoreline, Sporting KC put together back-to-back MLS wins for the first time since the summer of 2024! 

First, they hosted the LA Galaxy and beat them 3-1 in a relatively dominant performance. Sheena was in attendance for the first time this season, so clearly, she and her friends are good luck. Or was it the atrocious media game I played in? Either way, the Galaxy are, for one reason or another, terrible against SKC. That was the second time they've played and at the time SKC's 2nd win of the season. We talk through all the events around the game, the media game and of course, the main event of Sporting KC putting up three for the first time this year and winning at home for the first time this year. 

Then, KC did the unlikely and won again three days later on the road against Austin FC. They were the better team for most of the game. Despite going down late in the first half, they fought back to tie and eventually win the game and break Austin's verde hearts. 

Overall, four players scored their first goal of the season this week. Sporting KC had their first comeback win of the season. And things generally went really well over that jam-packed week.

Sheena and I also had to discuss the Sporting KC salary release from this week, including all the new player wages and salary changes. I also had to knock down some of those rants from folks I respect around the team when it came to how low the payroll is. 

The KC Current had an amazing couple of weeks too, with two, 3-0 wins. First over a pretty awful Chicago Stars team that had somehow managed to beat KC once and then against a Houston Dash side that made a series of gaffs early to let KC run away with things. In the process Temwa Chawinga went from zero goals to five in two games and moved into second in the Golden Boot race. Watch out Barbara Banda!

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• SKC II results
• MLS Next Pro schedule changes
• US Soccer's new competition between NWSL, USL SL and WPSL Pro

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 1:24
• KC Current - 1:27:04
• Digital Crawl - 1:34:24

Upcoming Games

• KC Current @ Angel City FC - WED, May 20th at 9:00PM CST
• SKC II vs. Austin FC II - FRI, May 22nd at 7:00PM
• Sporting KC vs. NY Red Bulls - SAT, May 23rd at 7:30PM 
• KC Current vs. Portland Thorns - SUN, May 24th at Noon

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 178th episode of the show!

Before we get to the podcast, the KC Soccer Journal is having a free event at the Indian Creek Library in Olathe. Tickets are free and you can get them here!

Sporting Kansas City showed signs of life this past weekend. After dropping six straight results and falling to a .500 team historically for the first time in years, they surprised everyone and battled back for a draw against the Seattle Sounders. It's a sliver of the progress we've all been waiting for this season after a string of very bad results.

There was lots to like but also lots to still improve on in the game. One of the biggest changes was Stefan Cleveland at goalkeeper, a job he'll apparently have for the foreseeable future. Sheena and I weigh in on Cleveland and what was differ and Sheena copes with John Pulskamp heading to the bench.

We also talk through the other moments from the game, including other changes, Dejan Joveljic's clutch goal, Shapi Suleymanov's performance and more. We also chime in on the retirements of Kei Kamara and Krisztian Nemeth as well as some good news for former Sporting KC Homegrown, Gianluca Busio.

The KC Current did one better and went ahead and won their game over the North Carolina Courage. It was an uneven performance against a team on short rest but there were a lot of 2026 firsts. It was the first time the KC Current didn't allow the first goal. And more importantly, it was their first road win of the season.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• SKC II results
• Las Vegas trying to steal the Vancouver Whitecaps (#SaveTheCaps)
• MLS Next Pro may be relocating and rebranding teams
• USL and the USLPA may have found labor peace

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro & a Free Library KC Soccer Journal event - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 6:45
• KC Current - 45:10
• Digital Crawl - 58:27

Upcoming Games

• SKC II vs. Ventura County, WED, May 6th at 7:00PM CST
• Sporting KC @ Portland Timbers, SAT, May 9th at 9:30PM
• KC Current vs. Chicago Stars, SUN, May 10th at 11:30AM (Mother’s Day)
• SKC II @ Rapids 2, SUN, May 10th at 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 177th episode of the show! And it's an after dark special. Nothing too spicy, though Sheena does some mild cursing, but it's mainly that we recorded in the middle of the night.

Sporting Kansas City showed a half of something to build on before the floor fell out from beneath them. After making it to halftime with a 0-0 score against the Chicago Fire, a first for the season in not giving up a first half goal, the second half was off the rails.

It started with a penalty call that head coach Rapha Wicky said seemed "harsh." We break down the entire sequence, but we also have videos, gifs and stills if you need to watch it.

That moment certainly changed the game. But who is to say it wouldn't have gone badly anyways? Most of the season has. In addition to the spiral, Sheena and I discuss Capita, some post-game quotes from Wicky and Jake Davis, the lineup, tactical choices and much more.

The KC Current did nothing to lift KC soccer fan's hearts up with a brutal defeat of their own. They fell 4-0 to the Washington Spirit on Friday night in a game that showed early promise. Kansas City missed some chances, and the Spirit absolutely didn't miss most of theirs.

Lorena had a particularly off night and had us wondering if she's hurt, which coach Chris Armas dispelled that rumor. What Armas wasn't able to quell was the calls for his job. With the team already having allowed as many goals as all of last season and having lost more games in far less tries, the outcry from the fans continues to grow. Armas said he isn't spending any energy on it though.

We talk about our thoughts on that as well as another rant from me on Ally Sentnor as this team's starting striker.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• SKC II winning
• Sheena Remembers to do her Hair Takes
• USWNT friendlies
• NWSL expanding to Columbus

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro & Early Hair Commentary - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 3:18
• KC Current (w/ SKC mixed in) - 54:01
• Digital Crawl - 1:44:43

Upcoming Games

• SKC II vs. Houston Dynamo 2, SUN, April 26th at 1:00PM CT
• Sporting KC vs. Seattle Sounders, SAT, May 2nd at 1:30PM 
• KC Current @ North Carolina Courage, SAT, May 2nd at 5:30PM
• SKC II vs. Tacoma Defiance, SUN, May 3rd at 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron. 

For the Glory KC is back with the 176th episode of the show!

Sporting Kansas City had what was potentially the lowest moment on the field in club history. At the very least, in recent memory. So, a week after talking about expectations, Sheena and I are trying to align on the state of the team. Fans are rightfully upset with the performances of the week, particularly the showing in the US Open Cup against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Fans are calling for Raphel Wicky's job, David Lee's job, Peter Mallouk to (already) sell the team, and for the release or purge of almost every player on the roster. What is rational and what is irrational? We try to break it all down.

Plus, we weave through the moments in the USOC game as well as the loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday night. We knew this season would start slow and have some lows, but I'm not sure anyone thought it would be quite this low. We also talk about quite the remarkable stat when it comes to losing and SKC in recent seasons and where it sits in history. 

Outside of the events on the field, there were also a couple notable moments off the field. Cavan Sullivan was apparently inquired about by Lee and Alan Pulido is out at Chivas.

The KC Current lifted up the week with their Teal Rising Cup win last weekend over Palmeiras, but that feels like an eternity ago. We briefly relive that game, and I talk about Haley Hopkins ascent up the roster and perhaps into the starting lineup in an NWSL game.

In the Digital Crawl, we hit on a few more topics, including:

• World Cup Fan Fest Lineup, Parking and Buses
• USWNT results
• NWSL calendar flip -- Fall to Spring?
• Javier Mascherano out in Miami

Here is a rundown of sections and start times:

• Intro & World Cup Trophy - 0:00
• Sporting KC - 6:30
• KC Current - 1:08:08
• Digital Crawl - 1:14:04

Upcoming Games

• KC Current @ Washington Spirit, FRI, April 24th at 7:00PM CST
• Sporting KC @ Chicago Fire, SAT, April 25th at 7:30PM
• SKC II vs. Houston Dynamo 2, SUN, April 26th at 7:00PM

As a special gift to For the Glory KC listeners and KC Soccer Journal readers, Backheeled.com is giving away 30 days of their amazing, independent American soccer coverage for free. If you decide you want to turn that into a paid membership, they'll give you 10 percent off too. Just follow this link!

Big thanks to Splitter Conspiracy (listen to them here) for our theme music made with the permission of the KC Cauldron.