Ted Lasso Stars Bring World Cup Fever to Kansas City as Argentina Faces Switzerland KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lionel Messi and Argentina’s quest for a second consecutive World Cup title brought a wave of excitement to Kansas City, where the fictional coach of the AFC Richmond soccer club, played by Jason Sudeikis, hosted a watch party at CPKC Stadium. The event coincided with the semifinal clash between the reigning champions and Switzerland, marking a rare intersection of real-world sports drama and the fictional world of the Apple TV series Ted Lasso. The fourth season of the comedy-drama, which had been on hiatus since May 31, 2023, was set to premiere on August 5, just days after the World Cup match. Sudeikis, who grew up in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, expressed his deep connection to the city, noting that his love for soccer has grown alongside his immersion in the show’s soccer-centric narrative. “As much as we’ve loved football before we got started, I’ve grown to love it more as we got more immersed in the soccer culture,” he said. The new season of Ted Lasso was filmed extensively in Kansas City, including at CPKC Stadium, the home of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current. The stadium, designed specifically for a women’s professional team, became a fitting venue for the watch party, which drew several thousand fans. The season’s storyline would center on the newly formed AFC Richmond women’s team, a concept that had been subtly introduced by character Keeley Jones, played by Juno Temple, in the previous season. Temple, who wore a teal Kansas City Current jersey during the event, emphasized the significance of the show’s focus on women’s football. “It feels like a perfect moment to be talking about women’s football, and representing it—not that I play, obviously,” she said.#lionel_messi #kansas_city #jason_sudeikis #cpkc_stadium #juno_temple
Kansas City Current and Gotham FC Set for NWSL Clash at CPKC Stadium The Kansas City Current and Gotham FC are set to face off in a highly anticipated NWSL regular season matchup at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The game, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET, will mark a pivotal moment in the early stages of the 2026 season for both teams. Gotham FC, the New Jersey-based club, enters the contest with a record of one win, two draws, and one loss in their first four matches. The visitors will aim to build on their recent performance against the expansion Boston Legacy, where they secured a narrow 1-0 victory on March 14 at Gillette Stadium. Esther González’s 55th-minute goal was instrumental in earning Gotham three crucial points away from home. Despite their early success, Gotham faced a setback in their next match, falling to the newly expanded Denver Summit with a 2-0 defeat on March 25. The loss came after two scoreless draws against the North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the competitive NWSL landscape. The team’s ability to bounce back from such a loss will be critical as they prepare for their showdown against the Kansas City Current. For the Kansas City Current, the game represents an opportunity to solidify their position in the league standings. While specific details about their recent performance were not provided, the team’s home advantage at CPKC Stadium is expected to play a significant role. The match will be broadcast live via Fubo, offering fans a chance to watch the action unfold without the need for traditional cable subscriptions. Regional restrictions may apply, so viewers should check availability in their area.#nws_l #kansas_city_current #gotham_fc #cpkc_stadium #esther_gonzlez
Team News: Purce, Shaw Return to Starting XI for KC Rematch Gotham FC’s star attackers Midge Purce and Jaedyn Shaw are set to return to the starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium. The game, scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff, marks a rematch of last year’s historic NWSL quarterfinal, where the eighth-seeded Gotham FC stunned the top-seeded Current to advance to the championship. The club’s lineup will see two key changes following its 0-0 draw against the Orlando Pride in its previous match. Lead assistant coach Shaun Harris will take over as head coach Juan Carlos Amorós is absent due to family obligations, as his wife prepares for the arrival of their second child. The broadcast will be carried by CBS. This weekend’s match will be Gotham FC’s first visit to Kansas City since their 2025 postseason victory, a moment that reshaped NWSL history. As the No. 8 seed, Gotham became the first team to defeat a No. 1 seed in playoff history, securing a historic win over the Current, which had set the regular-season record. Purce, a veteran forward, will make her second start of the regular season and first since the opening match against Boston. She has previously scored two goals against the Current, while Shaw, returning to the XI for the first time since March 14, will face Kansas City after contributing a goal and an assist in last year’s playoff clash. The duo will partner with Spanish striker Esther González up front. In midfield, Rose Lavelle will captain Gotham FC, having recently joined the NWSL’s 100-match club after a performance against Orlando. She will start alongside Savannah McCaskill and Jaelin Howell, who leads the team with 23 duels this season. The trio will start together for the fourth time in five matches.#jaedyn_shaw #kansas_city_current #gotham_fc #midge_purce #cpkc_stadium
