Kansas City Current Launches No-Cost, No-Barrier Soccer League at 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Fields

KANSAS CITY (May 27, 2026) — The Kansas City Current, alongside U.S. Soccer, Kansas City Parks & Recreation and the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association, announced a historic commitment to youth sports in Kansas City on Tuesday with the launch of a youth soccer league at the 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Fields. Set to begin play on July 11, the league will serve community groups across the Kansas City metropolitan area and come at no cost to participating teams and coaches. CVS Health, the Current’s lower back-of-kit partner, will serve as the 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League’s presenting sponsor.

The league is focused on growing youth soccer participation — especially among girls — while delivering structured education for coaches and referees and empowering community-based organizations and assets. The no-cost, no-barrier league will offer recreational opportunities for local soccer players to experience the game of soccer in a safe and supportive environment. The league will also create pathways for coaches and referees through development and training.

U.S. Soccer provided a multi-year grant to implement the league through Innovate to Grow. Reinforcing the belief that soccer can be a powerful tool for societal change, Innovate to Grow provides financial support to organizations expanding the referee pipeline, increasing youth soccer participation in meaningful and sustainable ways and creating safe, accessible places to play. The 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League was made possible with additional support from the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association.

“Launching the 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League is a perfect embodiment of the Kansas City Current’s community pillars. We could not be more appreciative of our incredible partners and staff that helped bring this to life,” said Kansas City Current President, Raven Jemison. “This league will have a generational impact on young athletes, families and coaches across the city. We are excited to see how the league grows and the success stories that come from it.”

Teams competing in the first season of the 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League include Estrella De Oro, Guadalupe Centers, Kansas City Parks & Recreation, KC Wadijir, Mattie Rhodes, Ryogoku Soccer Academy and YMCA of Greater Kansas City (Carver Dual Language). Participants are between 8 and 10 years old, and the inaugural season is expected to field approximately 120 participants.

The league begins play on July 11 — the day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ quarterfinal at Kansas City Stadium — and will run through Aug. 29. All participating youth players will receive a branded Nike jersey as well as new cleats, shin guards, a KC Current soccer ball and an additional soccer ball courtesy of Franklin Sports.

The 9th & Van Brunt soccer fields, located on the Northeast side of Kansas City, celebrated its grand reopening in July 2025 after undergoing a $3 million renovation. The complex now boasts two championship-quality synthetic turf fields, new field lighting, bleachers, updated locker rooms and a new scoreboard room, along with new infrastructure like pedestrian lighting, walkways and drainage systems. Launching the 9th & Van Brunt Youth Soccer League will provide dedicated, intentional programming set to activate the newly renovated space.

“The new soccer league at 9th and Van Brunt represents a powerful moment of possibility for the youth, coaches, and families of Kansas City’s historic Northeast and the surrounding community,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “What’s being built here goes far beyond the game. It is a meaningful investment in people, in dreams, and in the future of our city. With the support of the Kansas City Current, U.S. Soccer, and dedicated partners, this league will open doors and create life-changing opportunities. Centering it at 9th & Van Brunt is a powerful statement, one that reflects a deep, lasting commitment to uplifting this community and transforming Kansas City both on and off the pitch.”

All participating coaches will receive access to structured coaching education and resources at no additional cost, including the opportunity to obtain coaching licenses through U.S. Soccer. The league will also feature developmental and training opportunities for aspiring soccer referees.

“We’re proud to expand our support of the Kansas City Current, and the broader overall community as presenting sponsor of the 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League,” said Shawn Eaton, Division Vice President, Midwest at CVS Health. “We know soccer positively impacts community health, and CVS is thrilled to help increase opportunities for movement, connection and everyday wellbeing for Kansas City youth.”

In addition to support from CVS Health, the presenting sponsor of the 9th & Van Brunt Soccer League, the league will be led by the Kansas City Current, the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association and Kansas City Parks & Recreation. Franklin Sports, Challenger Sports and United Way of Greater Kansas City, the Current’s Official Charity Partner, are additional community partners of the league.

The first season of the league will feature an eight-week schedule, with matches played on Saturdays at the 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Fields. The season will culminate with a postseason and championship weekend. Registration for the first season is closed, but interested parties can visit HERE to learn more and fill out an inquiry form.

Additional Commentary from Key Constituents
Melissa Radke, Director, Member Strategy, U.S. Soccer: “The 9th & Van Brunt League is a great example of the type of programming U.S. Soccer looks to support through Innovate to Grow, creating safe and accessible ways for the community to enjoy the beautiful game, and the fact that it has such strong support and coordination across multiple parts of the community gives strong potential to its future sustainability.  We look forward to seeing the impact the program will have across the three years of the grant and beyond.”

Joe Burger, Executive Director, Kansas State Youth Soccer Association: "Kansas Youth Soccer is thrilled to partner with KC Current and the US Soccer Forward Foundation to launch the 9th and Van Brunt League — creating a fun, safe environment for players, coaches, referees, and families alike. Supporting this effort alongside everyone involved is a true honor. Growing the game takes a village, and we look forward to doing our part in making this an exceptional experience for all who participate."

Missouri Senator Barbara Washington: “I am utterly excited to offer support from the State of Missouri for the Current’s continued commitment to the Kansas City community. It is a dream come true to see this project come to life. Our girls on the east side will now have a tremendous opportunity to partake in the fastest growing sport in the world. I continue to be impressed with the Current’s commitment to our community.”