KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The World Cup is less than a year away, and Kansas City is already getting a taste of it. The KC Current hosted an international soccer tournament this week at CPKC Stadium.
From Brazil, Corinthians and Palmeiras were in town. The teams shared their thoughts on whether the city is ready for next year’s competition.
“I feel inspired. I feel represented by the whole environment,” said Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras’ head coach. “I could feel the passion for the game.”
Kansas City had the chance to showcase why it’s considered the Soccer Capital of the U.S.
And who better to recognize passionate fans than people from the land of soccer?
“There was a lot of support — and really a lot of noise, right?" said Palmeiras player Pati Maldaner. "We tend to think it's only in Brazil that fans sing and cheer like that, but here, there was a lot of support. Of course, it was against us, right?”
Corinthians veteran Tamires has played for the Brazilian national team.
“The signs, the billboards with KC Current players' photos — you can already feel how much the city loves soccer,” she said.
In Brazil, Corinthians and Palmeiras are major rivals. They’re usually not on the same page, but in KC, they could agree on something.
“All the infrastructure the KC Current has here is amazing,” said Corinthians head coach Lucas Piccinato. “Clubs in Brazil always use the men's stadiums, so to have the opportunity to be in a stadium built only for women's soccer is amazing.”
Maldaner said the stadium is "beautiful."
“... And to know it’s only for women’s soccer, it’s very nice,” Maldaner said.
The teams also got a taste of Kansas City — literally — as they had the chance to try some barbecue. But they said they didn’t have enough time to explore other areas of the city.
“But I really like the city. I really like the weather and the people,” Piccinato said.
At the same time, Kansas City got a taste of what it’s like to host an international soccer competition. Experienced athletes and coaches say the city has the most important ingredient for next summer.
“We need people who have a passion for soccer to make things happen,” Tamires said.
Whether watching football or futbol, Palmeiras player Camilla Orlando said Kansas City has the fan base.
“People who come here to watch football ... and to have this environment — you’ll love being here in Kansas City,” she said.
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KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva covers stories in the Northland. She also focuses on issues surrounding immigration. Share your story idea with Fernanda.