Off the Pitch

What does it take to go from the Sporting KC Academy to becoming a professional soccer player? On this episode of Off The Pitch , Sporting Kansas City Homegrowns Ian James and Jacob Bartlett join Blake and Marika to talk about their journeys through the Sporting KC Academy, the Homegrown system and the club’s pro player pathway . Ian shares the story of moving from Minnesota to Kansas City with hi...

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, S...

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...

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 Amer...

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...

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 atmosphe...

The FIFA World Cup™ has arrived in Kansas City — and Blake and Marika are right in the middle of it. In this episode, Marika reveals her role as in-stadium host for all six FIFA World Cup™ matches in KC, while Blake shares his experience as the voice of FIFA Fan Fest. The duo head live to Soccer Capital Summer to soak in the atmosphere and chat with fans during Mexico vs. South Korea. Then, Sporti...

We are locked in World Cup mode. In this episode, we cover Big Slick's big return, Sporting KC's back half bundle deal, and gets into the Soccer Capital Summer hype — including predictions on which teams will go far and a full draft of the best kits at the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.  Then, Alicia Lawson, Sporting KC's Senior Director of Events, joins Off the Pitch to pull back the curtain o...

We're back with a summer full of things to do in KC — from the KC Monarchs' opening day and the Mavericks' playoff run to Power and Light's Hot Country Nights kicking off at Sporting Park. Plus, Star Wars™ Night is coming May 23rd, and the duo blind ranks their favorite characters before the big game.  Then, Sporting Kansas City's Calvin Harris joins to talk about growing up ac...

In this episode, we cover Kansas City's buzzing art scene, the Victory Run 5K benefiting The Victory Project, and Kid’s Day at Sporting Park, before Blake and Marika draft their ultimate childhood halftime snack lineup.  Then, Mallory Cage and Chris Haghirian from KC2026 join us to talk all things FIFA Fan Festival™ Kansas City— a free, all-ages event at the National World War I Memorial featu...

Summer is coming fast! In this episode, we cover NASCAR at Kansas Speedway, the official launch of Soccer Capital Summer at Sporting Park — KC's free FIFA World Cup watch party events— and settles the debate on the best rides at Worlds of Fun now that the Timberwolf is back.  Then, Sporting Kansas City's Stephen Afrifa and Zorhan Bassong join Off the Pitch for a hilarious conversation abou...

Say hello to our new studio! We’re talking all things Kansas City, from the Parade of Hearts to upcoming FIFA World Cup™ fan events at Sporting Park, before settling the most important debate in KC: who can draft the perfect barbecue plate?  Then, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Manu Garcia joins Off the Pitch to talk life in KC, his love of rodeos, bagpipes, espresso, and how a Spanish kid from O...

Blake and Marika are back—and with spring here, the MLS season is officially underway. In this episode, the duo breaks down their all-time favorite retro Sporting KC kits ahead of Retro Night (3/21/2026 at Sporting Park) and dives into the growing FIFA World Cup™ excitement coming to Kansas City. Then, Sporting Kansas City’s Jansen Miller joins the show to talk downtown KC life, his famous cat Han...

Welcome to Off the Pitch — the official Sporting Kansas City podcast and your go-to source for everything Sporting KC, MLS, soccer, and Kansas City culture. In our very first episode, we're keeping it real: meet your hosts, Blake Aerni (the voice of Sporting KC) and Marika Davis (in-stadium host at Sporting Park), two Kansas City natives who are bringing their group chat energy straight to your ea...