While Kansas City Current have been getting settled in Washington, D.C., this week preparing for the title match of the National Women’s Soccer League, team staffers have been bouncing around like a soccer ball in the Kansas City metro area raising team awareness.
The traveling team merchandise truck, known as the “Teal Mobile,” has been active since Sunday’s 2-0 semifinal win over the top-seeded OL Reign in Seattle. While the truck was being restocked at Riverside’s practice facility, a few staffers had teal merchandise on hand for dogs at Bar K. Bar K is a riverfront location for dogs and owners.
It’s in close proximity to the construction site that will house the Current’s future stadium. They’ll play their home matches at the 11,500-seat park starting in 2024.
Current fans Dawn Newbill & Michael Ritter purchased a collar at Bar K.
“When they won to go to the championship, we saw online that they were doing a bunch of events and this was one of them,” said Newbill shortly after purchasing the teal-colored collar.
Jake Douglas purchased a bandana to give his dog during the same event. He was a Riverside resident, Missouri, and had heard about the Current.
“They opened their (practice) facility in Riverside,” said Douglas when asked how he got hooked as a fan of the Current. The Current opened its practice space. The first of its kind in America for women’s professional soccer, earlier this year.
Ritter and Newbill also attended the Oct. 6 groundbreaking celebration for the new stadium.
“We saw everybody. We listened to all the wonderful speakers,” said Newbill. “It was great.”
Ritter attended the last home match on Sept. 25, where the Current clinched their playoff berth. They were ultimately seeded 5th out of 12. Last year, The Current was last in the league.
“I played soccer growing up all the way through high school and love watching it,” said Ritter, who grew up in the Chicago area and has lived in Kansas City for eight years.
Ritter and Newbill are also season-ticket holders for the Kansas City Chiefs home games and got hooked on the Current as soon as the news broke about women’s professional soccer returning to Kansas City.
“We found out that (Brittany) Mahomes got involved and she used to play professionally, which is great,” said Ritter.
Living north of the Missouri River, Ritter and Newbill will be keeping an eye on the title match and looking forward to the day when it’ll be a just a short drive to the new stadium. They’ve already put down a deposit on future season tickets.
The Teal Mobile will visit Ruby Jean’s on Troost Ave and Boulevard Brewing Company Friday. Saturday will see Messenger Coffee in Crossroads, before heading to the official team watch party.
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The match will stream live starting at 7 p.m. CT via CBS, Paramount+ or Twitch.
The Current holds its Official Watch Party for all ages at Union Station’s Haverty Family Yards. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. The team recommends Reserve tickets for the free event in advance Visit its website.
Local businesses may also host watch parties. Gael’s Public House and Sports Troost Avenue will screen the game. Casual Animal Brewing Co Crossroads.
Quinton Lucas, Kansas City mayor is expecting craft beer from Portland, Oregon Ted Wheeler, mayor of Chicago, will send Ted his usual Gates Bar-B-Que and Boulevard Brewing’s current-themed Teal Rising Pilsner to Wheeler should the Current win Saturday. He’s promising to send Wheeler, win or not, his usual Gates Bar-B-Que savor and Boulevard Brewing’s Current-themed Teal Rising Pilsner.
