Kansas City Sports Bracketology: Top 64 Seasons, Round One, Part One
By Mike Norris
Kansas City former soccer players Tony Meola (left) and Preki (right) – Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
(4) 1960 Missouri Football vs. (13) 2004 KC Wiz
Before Sporting KC was even a thing, there was the Kansas City Wizards. They played in front of nearly empty crowds and Arrowhead Stadium and there wasn’t a bandwagon fan among the bunch.
They also won the franchise’s first MLS Cup, although not in 2004. That year the team, led by goal keeper Tony Meola, won the Western Conference with a 14-9-7 record and made it all the way to the Cup, before losing 3-2 to D.C. United.
The 1960 Missouri football team is one a few more fans can resonate with a little more than the squad 65 years before. The Tigers had been 0-7 in Bowls before legendary head coach Dan Devine led the ’60 team to an undefeated 11-0 season and a 21-14 Orange Bowl victory over Navy.
Missouri’s rival Kansas helped a bit in the undefeated season. The Jayhawks beat MU 23-7 in the final regular season game, but were forced to forfeit because of an NCAA-deemed ineligible player (KU still recognizes the game as a win).
The Tigers finished fourth in the Coach’s Poll and fifth in the AP poll.
Next: Pigskin Vs. America's Pastime