SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

The biggest questions for Kansas City Chiefs heading into training camp Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Preparations for Chiefs season No. 67 begin Friday as training camp opens in St. Joseph. Quarterbacks, rookies and a few others will have Missouri Western to themselves for a few days before the full squad reports the following week.

This camp will have a different feel than any in several years with the Chiefs coming off their worst season, a 6-11 record, in the Andy Reid era.

How the Chiefs will remedy the problems that ended their 10-year playoff run — including three Super Bowl victories — begins later this week.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), beat writer Pete Sweeney offers his ideas on the Chiefs and answers the most pressing questions entering the 2026 season.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Hannah Wise, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

Bidding farewell to FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. How did we do? Worth the cost? Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

The FIFA World Cup and its games, Fan Fest, watch parties and celebrations have departed Kansas City. And all that remains is the cleanup.

How did Kansas City do, and was it worth the cost? By many accounts the world’s biggest sporting event played in the smallest U.S. World Cup market unfolded as planned, and the national reviews have been positive.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell offer their evaluation of Kansas City’s month in the international spotlight, discussing the moments of triumph and mistakes along the way.

How does Kansas City’s performance affect our odds when future sporting events come up for bids?

U.S. soccer’s exit from FIFA World Cup was ugly. What to make of team’s progress Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Ouch. The U.S. team’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup occurred in ugly fashion — and sooner than many had hoped.

The U.S. team’s Round of 16 loss to Belgium in Seattle on Monday, by a 4-1 score, means the American team failed to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Star columnist Vahe Gregorian discusses the disappointment of the lopsided loss and what it means for the U.S. program going forward.

Also, was the U.S. affected by FIFA’s sudden reinstatement of forward Flo Balogun, who received a red card in the previous game but was allowed to play against Belgium after some maneuvering by President Trump?

Kansas City starred during World Cup group stage. On to the knockouts & more drama Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing out the best of Kansas City ... or is it the other away around?

The massive global soccer tournament’s group-stage games at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium provided incredible drama, all the way down to the final goal. The Netherlands’ “Oranje FanWalk” captivated the city and Arrowhead was painted in different hues for each match.

Now, it’s on to the knockout-round games. Kansas City plays host to two, a Round of 32 contest on Friday and a quarterfinal after that.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), soccer correspondent Daniel Sperry shares his thoughts on what’s happened here in the tournament thus far, and what could on the horizon.

One thing we know for certain: Friday’s next match in Kansas City pits Colombia vs. Ghana. It’s the last Round of 32 match and should come with the same intensity as previous games here, with the added pressure of elimination for the loser.

FIFA World Cup in Kansas City: early wins and worries Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Two games into the FIFA World Cup schedule in Kansas City, and we’ve seen some spectacular performances, starting with Lionel Messi’s hat trick for Argentina in the opening game. The action has been top-rate.

But how about Kansas City’s overall performance as a host city? On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), columnist Vahe Gregorian and sportswriter Pete Grathoff discuss what’s gone right and wrong over the first couple of weeks.

Two more group stage games this week, starting with Netherlands vs. Tunisia on Thursday — with the Orange March fanwalk set for downtown that day — and two knockout games in July remain on Kansas City’s schedule. Is the best yet to come?

Is it ever really quiet in the NFL? What to watch for until Chiefs training camp Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

The Chiefs have closed the book on OTAs and minicamp, but they’re continuing to make news.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed a contract extension, former KC cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was re-acquired and the team traded away offensive lineman Wanya Morris — all before the Chiefs were finished with their summer workouts.

KC Star Chiefs insider Pete Sweeney discusses all these developments and more on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM).

Sweeney also shares which position groups could face the most competitive battles when training camp begins in St. Joseph next month, and what’s in store for the Chiefs over the next few weeks.

Eight years in the making, World Cup has arrived. Is Kansas City ready? Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

North America was awarded the 2026 FIFA World Cup eight years ago. Four years later, Kansas City was named one of the event’s 16 host cities.

Now, it’s here. The world’s biggest sporting event begins Thursday with the first game in Kansas City on June 16. Are we ready?

In this week’s episode of SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), sports columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell share their thoughts.

Ticket sales, hotel prices, safety and security have been the big topics leading up to the event. How is Kansas City responding? Also, how will Team USA fare in the global tournament?

And if Argentina, looking to win its second straight World Cup and fourth overall, is the Chiefs among base-camp teams training in the region, what KC sports entities do England, Netherlands and Algeria resemble?

Taking the good Chiefs news (Patrick Mahomes) with the bad (Rashee Rice) Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

The news is good and bad for the Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes is back on the practice field, taking part in some drills. That’s a great sign as the two-time MVP continues to heal from torn knee ligaments.

The not-so-good news: Wide receiver Rashee Rice is still serving his 30-day jail sentence for violating terms of his probation stemming from his 2024 arrest for his role in a Dallas car crash.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss these developments and more as the Chiefs’ offseason prep-work continues.

Also, we’ll tell you what’s on our radar in Kansas City sports this week, including the World Cup and college baseball.

How did Kansas City become a U.S. soccer capital? Author explains on SportsBeat KC May 26, 2026

Show notes

Of the 11 U.S. cities to host FIFA World Cup games, Kansas City is the most unlikely — but also among the most deserving. The story of how KC turned itself into one of the nation’s premier soccer cities is the subject of the book: “Perfect Pitch: How Kansas City Became the Heart of American Soccer,” by Nate Bukaty and Rustin Dodd.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Bukaty describes the journey, from the early days of immigrants playing on local fields to the first professional teams through the triumphs of Sporting KC and the KC Current. The momentum continued not only with games in the World Cup, but four base camps in the Kansas City area.

The world’s largest sporting event is coming to the middle of America because, as Bukaty notes, Kansas City earned the bid.

What to expect when Argentina, Netherlands arrive in Kansas City for World Cup May 19, 2026

Show notes

In less than a month, the first FIFA World Cup game will be played in Kansas City, and it won’t take that long for fans of teams with base camps here to begin arriving.

So, what can KC expect?

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR (89.3 FM), Ignaciao Bottaro, a journalist from Buenos Aires, shares his thoughts on Argentina’s quest to defending its World Cup title that begins in Kansas City. Bottaro was in town recently, reporting for Telefe Noticias, and he tells us his impressions of Kansas City.

After a break you’ll hear from Daniel Oordt, the “Orange Suit Man,” of the Dutch fan base. Fans of the Netherlands all wear orange when cheering for their team. Oordt is the maxed out version, a life-long supporter of a national team that has brought him joy and heartbreak. He explains why.

Rundown (timestamps are approximate)

0:50 - Welcome to all things World Cup

05:54 - An Argentinian’s first impression of KC

19:04 - Why KC might want to root for the Netherlands during the World Cup

27:39 - What else is on Blair’s radar

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected