Off the Pitch is Sporting KC’s culture-forward podcast that brings together soccer, Kansas City, and the personalities that make both special. Hosted by Blake Aerni, the voice of Sporting KC on gameday, and Marika Davis, our in-game host, the show takes fans beyond the field and into the stories, culture, and conversations that surround the team and the city.
Each episode blends Sporting KC with Kansas City happenings and pop culture through a consistent format. The show that celebrates soccer while showcasing the people, stories, and culture that make Kansas City unique.
From the Academy to Pro | Feat. Jacob Bartlett and Ian James | Ep. 14
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 his dad to pursue an opportunity with the Sporting KC Academy, eventually earning his chance at the professional level. Jacob takes us through a different path — growing up in Overland Park, playing locally with Sporting Blue Valley, making sacrifices to join the Academy and chasing the dream of one day representing his hometown club.
The two also open up about balancing soccer, school, family and friendships while pursuing a professional career, plus what life is like away from the pitch. From fishing and Rocket League to Chiefs games and team dinners, Ian and Jacob share stories about their friendship and the relationships that bring the Sporting KC locker room together.
Plus, Blake and Marika talk about the Kansas City soccer community and rank some of their favorite fall activities around KC.
From the Sporting KC Academy to the first team, this episode gives fans an inside look at the development, sacrifices and relationships behind Sporting Kansas City’s next generation of Homegrown talent.
Off The Pitch brings you closer to Sporting Kansas City with conversations featuring players, staff and members of the Kansas City community — sharing the stories that go beyond the 90 minutes.
17 Sept 2026
The Victory Project | Feat. George, Anne & Adrianne | Ep. 13
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, Special Olympics Unified, and the annual Kick Childhood Cancer game (9/19/2026). Adrianne also shares how the Victory Project has grown since its beginnings in 2017 and the lasting impact it has on Sporting KC players, families, and the Kansas City community.
We’re also joined by George and his mom, Anne, to hear their personal Victory Project story. George talks about his experience with Sporting Kansas City, meeting players, visiting the training facility, receiving a special gift from John Pulskamp, his Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii, and some of the unforgettable moments that came along the way.
From the impact of The Victory Project to the people and stories that make Sporting KC more than a soccer club, this episode is a look at the community behind the crest.
3 Sept 2026
Behind the Scenes with Sporting’s Medical Staff & Kit Men | Ep. 13
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 it’s really like to care for professional athletes, the challenges of getting players safely back on the field, and some unforgettable stories from their time with the club.
Then, the conversation continues behind the scenes with Sporting KC’s Kit Men, Mike Flaherty and Sam Jaksen, getting to know the people responsible for keeping the team’s kits and equipment ready to go. It’s a look at another side of Sporting Kansas City that fans don’t always get to see—and the personalities and traditions that help keep the club running off the pitch.
18 Aug 2026
Blue Hell Rivalry Week + Meet the New Signings | feat. Or Blorian & Emir Karić | Ep. 11
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 America.
Then, new signings Or Blorian and Emir Karić join to talk settling into Kansas City, the newest member of the family (a puppy named Waffle), the tight-knit locker room, and why they believe the best team, not the best players, is what wins. They also share how the KC rivalry stacks up against the derbies they've experienced across their former clubs.
6 Aug 2026
The Voice of Sporting KC | John Dale, PA Announcer | Ep. 10
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 - before ranking their top five Ted Lasso characters.
Then, Sporting Kansas City's PA announcer John Dale joins to share how a high school soccer coach became the voice of his hometown club, how he developed his signature style, and what it was like representing KC on the global stage - announcing four FIFA World Cup™ matches in Monterrey, including the 1,000th World Cup match in history.
14 Jul 2026
FIFA World Cup™ Continues + MLS is back with our St. Louis Rivalry | Jayden Reid | Ep. 9
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 atmosphere.
Then, Sporting Kansas City's Jayden Reid joins Off the Pitch to talk his journey from the Red Bull Academy to UConn to KC, his thoughts on the World Cup's impact on American soccer, the upcoming St. Louis CITY rivalry he's already fired up for — and yes, the Valentine's Day song he quietly dropped. Hear it all on this episode!
2 Jul 2026
FIFA World Cup™ Kansas City is HERE | Lasse Berg-Johnsen | Ep. 8
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, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Lasse Berg-Johnsen joins Off the Pitch to talk life in KC, watching Norway compete in the World Cup, what it was like playing alongside Erling Haaland, and settling into life as a newlywed in a brand new city.
28 May 2026
Soccer Capital Summer Breakdown ft. KC Local Talent | Alesia Lawson + The Royal Chief | Ep. 7
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 (http://www.soccercapitalsummer.com) 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 on Soccer Capital Summer — from the intentionally curated lineup (Third Eye Blind, Coco & Breezy, Gym Class Heroes and more!) to flash tattoos in the player locker room. Plus, KC-born artist The Royal Chief stops by to talk grinding his way from living out of his car in Atlanta to performing on the biggest stage his hometown has ever seen.
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 across four continents — England, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand — before landing in KC, his full darts setup at home, his distant connection to darts star Stephen Bunting, and what life looks like off the pitch.
30 Apr 2026
FIFA Fan Festival™ & Mental Performance | KC2026 & Becky Wiseman | Ep. 5
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 featuring live games, 40+ local artists, and a lineup as uniquely Kansas City as it gets. Plus, Sporting KC's Mental Performance Coach Becky Wiseman stops by to talk Mental Health Awareness Month, her journey into sports psychology, and what it really means to train your mind like an athlete. Enjoy!
16 Apr 2026
Watermelons, Poutine & Worlds of Fun | Ross Chastain, Stephen Afrifa & Zorhan Bassong | Ep. 4
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 about their unlikely friendship, life as Canadians in KC, karaoke trauma, and the great poutine debate. Plus, NASCAR driver Ross Chastain stops by to talk smashing watermelons, winning at Kansas, and why this track feels like home.
2 Apr 2026
Bagpipes, Burnt Ends & eMLS | Manu Gracia | Ep. 3
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 Oviedo found a home in the Midwest. Plus, Sporting KC's eMLS player, Gustavo Nascimento, stops by to share his incredible journey to representing Sporting KC competitively in FIFA.
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 Hank, new teammates, and why Kansas City already feels like home—with a little trash talk thrown in for good measure.
5 Mar 2026
Welcome, Off the Pitch: Who We Are, Why KC, and Everything Sporting | Ep. 1
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 earbuds.
We're talking about why we built this show, what makes KC unlike any other city in America, and what's coming up this season — because there is a lot. Whether you're a die-hard Sporting KC season ticket holder or you're just discovering soccer ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer (less than 100 days away!), this podcast is for you. We'll bring you behind-the-scenes access, KC culture deep dives, player interviews, and the stories that never make the highlight reel.
New episodes drop every other week. Hit subscribe so you never miss a thing. ⚽🏙️
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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