SportsBeat KC

Ouch. The U.S. team’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup occurred in ugly fashion — and sooner than many had hoped. The U.S. team’s Round of 16 loss to Belgium in Seattle on Monday, by a 4-1 score, means the American team failed to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Star columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing out the best of Kansas City ... or is it the other away around? The massive global soccer tournament’s group-stage games at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium provided incredible drama, all the way down to the final goal. The Netherlands’ “Oranje FanWalk” captivated the city and Arrowhead was painted in different hues for each match. Now, it’s on to the knockout-ro...

Two games into the FIFA World Cup schedule in Kansas City, and we’ve seen some spectacular performances, starting with Lionel Messi’s hat trick for Argentina in the opening game. The action has been top-rate. But how about Kansas City’s overall performance as a host city? On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian and sportswriter Pete Grathoff discus...

The Chiefs have closed the book on OTAs and minicamp, but they’re continuing to make news. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a contract extension, former KC cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was re-acquired and the team traded away offensive lineman Wanya Morris — all before the Chiefs were finished with their summer workouts. KC Star Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney discusses all these developments and more...

North America was awarded the 2026 FIFA World Cup eight years ago. Four years later, Kansas City was named one of the event’s 16 host cities. Now, it’s here. The world’s biggest sporting event begins Thursday with the first game in Kansas City on June 16. Are we ready? In this week’s episode of SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), sports columnists Vahe Gregorian and S...

The news is good and bad for the Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes is back on the practice field, taking part in some drills. That’s a great sign as the two-time MVP continues to heal from torn knee ligaments. The not-so-good news: Wide receiver Rashee Rice is still serving his 30-day jail sentence for violating terms of his probation stemming from his 2024 arrest for his role in a Dallas car crash. On Spor...

Of the 11 U.S. cities to host FIFA World Cup games, Kansas City is the most unlikely — but also among the most deserving. The story of how KC turned itself into one of the nation’s premier soccer cities is the subject of the book: “Perfect Pitch: How Kansas City Became the Heart of American Soccer,” by Nate Bukaty and Rustin Dodd. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM)...

In less than a month, the first FIFA World Cup game will be played in Kansas City, and it won’t take that long for fans of teams with base camps here to begin arriving. So, what can KC expect? On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Ignaciao Bottaro, a journalist from Buenos Aires, shares his thoughts on Argentina’s quest to defending its World Cup title that begins in...

With the FIFA World Cup opening game less than a month away — and less than five weeks before the first match is played in Kansas City — some recent indicators question the event’s expected size and scope. Hotel rooms remain available, as do tickets to most games, heightening fans’ frustrations. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses...

Kansas Citians will be “shocked in a good way” by the FIFA World Cup when it arrives here in June, says Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. He should know. He’s been going to games of the world’s most popular sporting event since 1974, when he was 9. Hunt sat down with SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM) to discuss his World Cup experience and career in soccer. Hunt pl...

The draft class is complete. How did the Chiefs fare? The question ultimately cannot be answered for a few years, but the Chiefs made some bold moves, including turning the draft’s first trade. Columnist Sam McDowell and Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney drill down on all the selections and evaluate the class on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM). From first-round pick Mans...

The first day of NFL Draft and with their two first round picks, the Chiefs concentrated on one side of the ball. Defense. They even engineered the draft’s first trade to move up three spots to select cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney, covering the draft in Pittsburgh, breaks down the Chiefs’ eveni...

More than three years after announcing the quest for a new home for the Royals, the team unveiled plans for a ballpark in downtown. They’ll create an 85-acre stadium district in Kansas City’s Crown Center and Washington Square Park. In this special edition of SportsBeat KC, the weekly sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian shares his thoughts on the Royals’ forthco...

The NFL Draft is near. The Chiefs hold nine selections over the draft’s three days, with two picks in the first round. It’s the team’s best draft position in years — thanks to a poor finish to last season. A successful draft would help the Chiefs avoid this kind of draft position in the future. “You don’t want to be here, but we’ve gotten past that phase, and we’re in it,” Chiefs head coach Andy R...

Kansas City has detailed plans for a new Royals ballpark at Washington Square Park, offering to contribute $600 million to the stadium’s $1.9 billion price tag. Is this the Royals’ future? Well, a few questions remain. Star columnist Sam McDowell, who helped break the news of the stadium proposal, identified what obstacles may lie ahead on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89...

Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won’t be suspended by the NFL, plus KC picked up a former first-round cornerback in Kaiir Elam. Those two positions will be a priority when the Chiefs are on the clock for the NFL Draft later this month. Will they have an impact on the Chiefs’ plans? After the break, former professional soccer star Matt Besler talks the World Cup, and what Kansas City should expect when...

Opening day at The K was a success for the Royals, who beat the Minnesota Twins in the first home game. But only a handful of home openers at Kauffman Stadium remain for the team that’s actively looking for a new stadium. So where will it be built — and why has it taken this long?  Royals principal owner John Sherman addressed those questions before Monday’s game. Star columnists San McDowell and...

Kansas basketball’s NCAA Tournament run came to a heartbreaking end with a buzzer-beating loss to St. John’s in the second round. Now, the Jayhawks await word from Bill Self on his coaching future due to the heart issues he’s been battling since 2022. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Sam McDowell discusses what’s in store for the Jayhawks this offseaso...

Kansas freshman sensation Darryn Peterson has had anything but a dull season. At times, he’s looked like the best player in college basketball. At others, he’s frustrated fans — and possibly his coach — by missing games for any number of ailments.  So what’s going on behind the scenes with Peterson? Has his NBA Draft stock fallen? And what’s the deal with the cramping that has persisted for almost...

The Chiefs have found their backup quarterback in a trade — Justin Fields — with the hope that he doesn’t have to play in games.  After all, that would mean Patrick Mahomes’ knee injury has lingered and he can’t open the season. As it is, Fields, acquired from the NY Jets, will play a critical role while Mahomes recovers. Beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down the trade, along with other standout ro...

Free agency quickly impacted the Chiefs from the opening minutes Monday. It was reported that the team had signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker, while resigning star tight end Travis Kelce. But with major additions also came subtractions. Gone are cornerback Jaylen Watson (Rams), safety Bryan Cook (Bengals) and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew (Cardinals). How did the Chiefs fare ov...

Trent McDuffie’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs has come to a close. In a blockbuster trade Wednesday, the Chiefs traded McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a haul of draft picks. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney,  columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian react to KC trading one of its best and most popular players. How will the Chiefs replac...

With the Chiefs set for the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, they got an up-close look at pro football’s top prospects at the NFL Combine.  Running back Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, and edge rushers Rueben Bain of Miami and Texas Tech’s David Bailey drew plenty of attention. But will any of them be available when the Chiefs pick comes around in next month’s draft?  On SportsBeat KC, the sports...

The Super Bowl closes the NFL season and the NFL Combine opens the next one.  The stakes are high for the Chiefs at this year’s scouting event in Indianapolis. This is where the team begins to get better. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell break down what the Chiefs should look to accomplish at the Combine — and wh...

When it comes to FIFA World Cup base camps, Kansas City can flex.  Three of the world’s top-seven teams — Argentina, England and Netherlands — have made it official: They’re summer camping in KC. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, columnist Sam McDowell explains how Kansas City created the conditions to land those teams — and what it means to have them and their fans coming...