Sporting KC: The Cauldron has a new rivalry

Soccer fever has a home in Kansas City. Sporting KC boasts one of the best fan bases in all of MLS, and they aren’t afraid to prove it. Even against teams they don’t play.

Sporting KC is a fixture in American soccer. As one of the original MLS clubs (known then as the Wiz), SKC has about as long and storied a history as you can find in the US. Despite playing in what is considered a smaller media market, Kansas City also boasts one of the most fierce fan bases. The Cauldron is loud, passionate, and ready to take their fight international.

The sports website fivethirtyeight.com recently pushed out their rankings (originally made in August) of the top clubs in North America, South America, and Europe. Apart from any other potentially disrespectful claim in these rankings, there was one that The Cauldron simply couldn’t abide…IFK Goteborg being one spot ahead of Sporting KC.

What has come about since then is a Twitter guerrilla (no, not the monkeys) campaign where Sporting KC supporters have made it clear that Goteborg has a target on their back. For the Swedish club, the response has been about what you would expect…mostly in Swedish, and therefore irrelevant.

The Hate Is Real(ish)

Clearly the Swedes never saw this coming from Sporting KC fans. Many haven’t known just how to respond. Of course, the same can be said of many SKC supporters. Being from the American Midwest, there is no shortage of “ists”, “bergs”, and “sons” making up the ranks of The Cauldron. However, when it comes to soccer, heritage simply takes a back seat.

As for the IFK Goteborg, well, they’re trying to keep pace. However, the 334th (now 336th) best club in the world simply can’t keep up with The Cauldron and their members. Sweden isn’t really known as a powerhouse in the soccer world. So they aren’t used to this kind of international attention.

Goteborg boasts a long list of honors that I can’t really pronounce, so I’m not sure what they even mean. Not like how Sporting KC just won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup this past season (their fourth in six years). So it’s pretty clear that even on the pitch, SKC is just the better club.

Will The Clubs Match The Fans?

Thus far there has been no announcement regarding a potential match-up between Sporting KC and IFK Goteborg. One would have to assume that’s because the Swedes are doing everything they can to hold their one spot lead over KC. It’s too be expected from a team that knows its limits.

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Of course, The Cauldron is more than ready for any kind of a match-up. Sporting KC fans know their team is one of the finest in the world, and are always ready to see it proven. As for IFK Goteborg, even some of their players are wanting a shot (though apparently for a free vacation and not the inevitable beat down).

MLS has pushed for international “friendlies” in the past, so maybe SKC can get some league influence on this. Clearly we need to see these two clubs take out their frustrations on the pitch. Teams should always be afforded a chance to prove just who is the better side. This seems like an ideal opportunity.

Sporting KC boasts one of the best fan clubs in all the world. The Cauldron is now pushing to make SKC known as an international powerhouse. You have to start somewhere, and IFK Goteborg is as good as anyone (though clearly not as good as Sporting KC).

Also, Real Salt Lake sucks.