SportsBeat KC

Latest Episodes:

Finding the deeper meaning in KU’s near monumental upset of Oklahoma Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

Kansas lost its 17th straight football game against Oklahoma last weekend, but none of them played out quite like this one. The Sooners won 35-23 but trailed by 10 late in the third quarter.

It was easily the most encouraging showing by coach Lance Leipold’s first KU team. So what wan we take from the outcome?

Here at the daily SportsBeat KC podcast, we posed that question to Kansas beat writers Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore, who broke down how the game unfolded. We also discussed the game’s biggest play, turned in by Oklahoma freshman quarterback Caleb Williams: You know, the forward fumble.

After a break, we catch up with KU basketball — picked to win the Big 12 — and examine the latest player to commit to Bill Self’s program: big man Ernest Edeh Jr.

Story links:

Was KU robbed on Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams’ unique fourth down play?

Four things we learned from KU’s 35-23 loss to No. 3 Oklahoma

Where will Remy Martin rank among scoring point guards for KU?

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Sporting Kansas City “body slams” way to big victory, advances in MLS race Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City picked up a huge victory at Seattle on Saturday, a game so intense there was a body slam—and no red card. On today’s SportsBeat KC, Star soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin breaks down the game that was decided on a goal by Johnny Russell.

After a break, we talk KC NWSL. Although the team will finish in last place in its inaugural season, Woso turned Legends Park into a true home field advantage and ran its unbeaten streak there to seven games with one remaining.

The podcast was recorded before the announcement of plans for a new stadium for KC NWSL. The structure, to be built on the downtown KC waterfront and expected to open for the 2024 season, will be the world’s first stadium built exclusively for a women’s professional team.

Story links:

KC NWSL women’s pro soccer team to build world’s first-of-its-kind stadium downtown

Sporting Kansas City enjoys delightful afternoon in Seattle, winning 2-1 to clinch playoff berth

Tour Kansas City and pass the BBQ sauce: FIFA officials check out our World Cup digs

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Who were those guys wearing Chiefs uniforms? Why’d they play like that? Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

It’s not always going to be rainbows and flowers, Patrick Mahomes said after the Chiefs’ 27-3 loss at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

No, it was more like dark skies and weeds during this one.

The Chiefs got positively drilled on Sunday. The output was the lowest for a Chiefs team in the Andy Reid era. The defeat was Patrick Mahomes’ most lopsided in a Kansas City uniform.

What went wrong? We counted the ways on our post-game SportsBeat Live stream with Chiefs fans and Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger and beat writers Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope.

Now it’s presented for you here as a SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story links:

On the gap between how the Chiefs see themselves and what they’ve actually shown us

Five things that stood out about the Chiefs loss to the Titans

Chiefs grades: They brought their F-game to Tennessee

The Chiefs have done something unseen in Patrick Mahomes time with the Chiefs

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Better chance of Titans limiting Mahomes, or Chiefs slowing Henry? Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

Derrick Henry is going to get his yards, there’s no doubting that. But can the Chiefs slow the NFL’s leading rusher enough to get by in Tennessee?

On this episode of The Star’s daily podcast, SportsBeat KC, beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell and columnist Sam Mellinger break down Sunday’s Chiefs-Titans game. It promises to be a high-scoring affair with Henry and Patrick Mahomes, who leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (despite the fact that the Chiefs top the league in turnovers).

Also, how might injuries, especially in the Titans’ secondary and to Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens, affect the outcome?

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We put our best foot forward (and hope we didn’t trip) in World Cup bid Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Kansas City’s day to present itself to FIFA officials arrived Thursday, with meetings, tours and, in true Kansas City spirit, a barbecue lunch.

So how did we do? We’ll know in early 2022. That’s when FIFA will announce the 11 winning U.S. cities among the 17 currently bidding to host World Cup games across North America in 2026.

On today’s episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, you’ll hear from FIFA officials Victor Montagliana and Colin Smith, as well as Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt and Sporting KC principal owner Cliff Illig.

You’ll also hear from Star columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian, who attended a Thursday afternoon news conference in the Power & Light District. They share their impressions of Kansas City as a World Cup site.

Story link:

Tour Kansas City and pass the BBQ sauce: FIFA officials check out our World Cup digs

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Talkin’ hoops with Bill Self, Bruce Weber, Scott Drew at Big 12 event Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

The Big 12 basketball media days made their annual appearances in Kansas City this week, with women’s coaches and players in town on Tuesday and the men here Wednesday.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, you’ll hear from men’s coaches Bill Self of Kansas, Bruce Weber of Kansas State and Scott Drew of Baylor.

The Jayhawks are picked to win the Big 12, again. Self discussed that and possibly playing with a 10-man rotation. Weber talks about how last year’s fast finish might affect this year’s team, and Drew speaks to life as a national champion.

Hint: He recommends it.

Story links:

KU’s Bill Self to enter third season with NCAA case pending. Here’s what he said

KU Jayhawks AD talks NCAA case timeline, potential football stadium renovation

Why K-State basketball coach is more eager to rotate guards more than usual

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What do FIFA officials want to see during their KC World Cup visit? Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Sporting KC is in the thick of the Western Conference race, and KC NWSL has turned Legends Field into a fortress. But the biggest soccer news in Kansas City this week is a site visit by FIFA officials.

Kansas City wants a piece of the 2026 World Cup, and now is the time to shine.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast, soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin discusses Kansas City’s bid with host Blair Kerkhoff. After a break, we hear from Katherine Fox, director of the KC2026 World Cup bid committee.

What does FIFA want to see while its delegates are visiting Kansas City, and how can one of the smallest markets in the bidding process put its best foot forward this week?

Story links:

Newly wrapped streetcar displays KC’s efforts to host 2026 World Cup ahead of FIFA visit

Sporting Kansas City played a late one in Vancouver, and came away with a loss

KC NWSL routs Houston 3-0, extends unbeaten streak in home matches to six

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Was Kansas City Chiefs’ season trajectory fixed with win at Washington? Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

The Chiefs continue to look for a complete, four-quarter game. But three solid quarters was enough on Sunday as they defeated Washington 31-13 on the road.

Here, in podcast form, sports columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Herbie Teope join host Blair Kerkhoff in breaking down the game on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily podcast.

The Chiefs proved that when this offense doesn’t turn it over, they’re tough to beat — especially when their defense plays as well as it did on Sunday.

Story links:

The Chiefs aren’t fixed with one victory, but maybe the fix has begun

Darrel Williams shines in big moment as Chiefs running back

Do the Chiefs have their swagger back? It’s just one victory but here’s why it seems so vital

Why the Chiefs offense, despite the turnovers, had its best day against Washington

KC Chiefs report card: Offense clicked but defense also shined in Washington

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A downtown ballpark for Kansas City to replace Kauffman Stadium? Let’s talk about it Oct 17, 2021

Show notes

A downtown stadium for the Royals is now a front burner issue. John Sherman, who leads the Royals ownership group, went public with the idea last month, and now it’s out there for everyone to consider.

Where would it be built? How much would it cost and who gets the tab? What becomes of Kauffman Stadium, and does the popular Royals ballpark even need to be replaced?

Those questions and more are explored in a Kansas City Star series of stories by columnist Sam Mellnger, beat writer Lynn Worthy and reporter Blair Kerkhoff and in this special edition of the SportsBeat KC podcast.

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Chiefs’ fixes begin with not being the NFL’s worst in these categories Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

Fixing the Chiefs’ problems begins with a two-pronged attack: Tightening up a defense that ranks last in the NFL, and taking care of the football. The Chiefs’ 11 turnovers also rank last in the league.

These issues (plus others) have the two-time Super Bowl team off to a 2-3 start, but the turnaround can begin at noon Sunday in Washington D.C., where the Chiefs are a 6 1/2-point favorite against the Washington Football Team.

Columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian discuss it all here with beat writers Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope in a podcast that first aired Friday morning as a SportsBeat Live stream at kansascity.com.

Story links:

So, defenses have found a way to slow Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs. Well, sort of

Here’s how the Chiefs can beat Washington in Week 6

Fixing Chiefs defense can start with playing Juan Thornhill over Daniel Sorensen

Chiefs-Washington prediction: Mahomes can show leadership, talent in Washington

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