.png)
Kansas City has long been a hub for soccer in the United States, with a growing reputation on the national stage. Now, the visionaries behind the Select League want to take things further—much further. The ultimate goal? To make Kansas City the soccer capital of America by creating a deeply rooted soccer community modeled after the English Football Association (FA), often regarded as the best soccer organization in the world.
The English FA's structure, especially in the London area, demonstrates how a single city can support a wide range of professional clubs. From Premier League giants like Arsenal and Chelsea to smaller, community-focused clubs such as Kingstonian and Cray Wanderers, each team serves as a gathering point for its local neighborhood. The Select League seeks to replicate that same sense of community and belonging within Kansas City, creating clubs that locals can rally around—just as they would for their high school football team on a Friday night in Texas.
For the people of Kansas City, this means more than just watching the game. Each club in the Select League is designed to serve as a hub of community life, much like a Lions Club or Moose Lodge, but centered around soccer. As the sport's popularity in the United States skyrockets, fueled in part by the high viewership of the English Premier League, there’s a clear opportunity to capitalize on the growing enthusiasm.
However, can these Select League clubs ever match the global profile of an Arsenal or Chelsea? Likely not—but that’s not the aim. The vision is to replicate the charm and community-driven spirit of lower-tier English clubs, specifically those in the 7th and 8th tiers of the English football pyramid. These smaller clubs might not have massive followings, but they are integral parts of their communities, drawing passionate fans who have a say in the club’s direction.
Clubs in the Select League are envisioned to have their own stadiums, however modest in size, complete with clubhouses where fans can gather before, during, and after matches for food, drinks, and camaraderie. This model fosters community involvement, allowing non-playing members and supporters to influence how the club operates. It’s a grassroots approach that puts the power in the hands of the people—unlike larger, corporate-run teams where fans often feel disconnected from key decisions.
For Kansas City, a region that already takes great pride in its local identity, the Select League offers something unique: a chance for each community to have its very own soccer club, something to call its own. It’s about creating bonds through sport and providing a new outlet for Kansas Citians to unite.
Much like high school football is the heartbeat of local pride in Texas, the Select League aims to make soccer the soul of Kansas City. With the right community support and a shared vision, it might just succeed in turning this region into America's soccer capital.
For information on becoming an owner of your own club, or joining an existing club as volunteer coach or management email us at: theselectleague@gmail.com