Vahe Gregorian: KC Current stadium opening is 'something that will last forever' for women and the city

That’s why Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC president Kathy Nelson found herself tearing up at the sight of the players taking the field for the first time, knowing this was built for them.

And knowing all it took regionally to get this done — not to mention become part of the landscape that makes us so appealing for hosting six 2026 FIFA World Cup games and hosting and accompanying international base camps and training centers.

And thinking about that via the game nationally televised on ABC, she said, “millions of people around the world heard about Kansas City today through a different lens. A lens of leadership and support and breaking barriers.”

A lens that’s been zooming in closer and closer about ever since the Longs announced in 2019 that they would be bringing women’s soccer back to Kansas City, set about building an $18 million training facility in Riverside and making this reality of what not long ago seemed a far-fetched dream.

“Kansas City is on the map, not just in this country but, really, across the world,” Berman said. “People are talking about this everywhere. And I think it’s really honed in on the thing that we describe as our superpower, which is our independence.

“Independence from men’s teams and leagues. Independence from a federation. …”

That helps explain why Berman was so struck by seeing the Title IX wording on the wall.

Always and forever until now, she said, “We are guests in men’s facilities. And you do feel like a guest. You feel like it’s not your home.”

Suddenly, she thought about how other teams, including men’s teams in a variety of sports, that ultimately will have occasion to play in this stadium will see reminders everywhere that it was purpose-built for women.

“And that (the men) are a guest here …” she said. “They’re welcome, and that’s great. But it’s the equity of the fact.”

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