CPKC Stadium draws fans from far and wide for NWSL Championship Game
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Thousands of fans packed into CPKC Stadium for the NWSL Championship Saturday night. It was a historic moment – as it was the first women’s professional championship played in a venue built specifically for a women’s sports team.
Fans of both the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit wanted to be in Kansas City for the occasion.
“This is the best thing to happen in this league since the beginning, is this stadium right here,” said Aaron Thompson, who flew in from Orlando to cheer on the Pride. “I’m so happy to finally get to come here.”
“So impressed with this city,” said Washington Spirit fan Megan McNulty. “Obviously, I have wanted to come see the stadium. It’s historic and just everything the Current is building here wanted to come check it out.”
While the game pitted two out-of-town teams against each other, many Current fans were in attendance – and proud to show what’s happening in Kansas City to a national audience.
“It just proves that women can do anything and get a big city behind them,” said Current fan Nicole Damiano from Shawnee.
“Fan Fest” for the NWSL Championship game began at 4 p.m. and was packed up until game time. KCTV5 happened to run into the owner of the Orlando Pride, Orlando’s mayor, and former Orlando Magic star Grant Hill at the event. All were impressed by CPKC Stadium.
“It speaks well of Kansas City and the progressive nature of this city,” Buddy Dyer, Orlando’s mayor said.
“I think it’s great for women’s sports, for women’s soccer, and I think it’s a great thing for this country to have women’s soccer as being recognized,” said Mark Wilf, Orlando Pride’s owner.
Hill told KCTV5 he hopes Saturday’s championship paves the way for more big moments in women’s athletics across the globe.
“It shows the progress, and it shows what the potential can be for women’s sports, and women’s soccer in particular,” said Hill. “Hopefully, it inspires others to do the same. Not just in the States, but all over the world.”
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