Photo by Alistair Tutton

NWSL champions will host Sky Blue FC at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 12

(January 21, 2015) – FC Kansas City announced today the club will host their opening match of the 2015 National Women’s Soccer League season on Sunday, April 12 at Sporting Park as the defending champions face off against Sky Blue FC at 3 p.m. CT.

Single-game tickets for the marquee match will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 6 via Ticketmaster.com. FC Kansas City season tickets are on sale now, call 855-4KC-GOAL for more information.

“We can’t think of a better place to begin this new journey into the 2015 season,” Huw Williams, director of soccer operations said. “It is a world-class venue that is truly fitting of what is sure to be an amazing season opener between two great teams.”

The Blues will begin their title defense at the state-of-the-art stadium through an agreement with Sporting Kansas City. As previously announced, Swope Soccer Village will serve as FC Kansas City’s primary home ground throughout the 2015 NWSL season.

Since opening to worldwide acclaim in 2011, Sporting Park will host its first NWSL match featuring the Blues against Sky Blue FC. The U.S. Women’s National Team has made two visits to the award-winning stadium, including the team’s first match after the 2011 FIFA World Cup and most recently visiting during the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.

“Opening our season at Sporting Park is a result of the recently announced working relationship with Sporting Kansas City,” Williams said. “In order to provide our fans with the best soccer experience, we will be announcing additional news throughout the offseason and preseason.”

With a seating capacity of 18,467 for soccer matches, Sporting Park has served as a boisterous site for many of the biggest games in American soccer. In addition to Olympic and World Cup qualifiers, the venue has hosted the MLS All-Star Game, MLS Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

“I am extremely excited and happy to have a chance to play at one of the nicest soccer venues in the country,” head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “Being able to secure Sporting Park for our home opener and Swope Soccer Village as our new home this season takes our team to a whole different level.”

FC Kansas City’s season opener will mark the third straight year in which the Blues kick off the season in front of their home fans and features a rematch, one year to the date, of their 2014 meeting with Sky Blue FC in Week 1. The Blues went unbeaten against Sky Blue FC last season with an overall record of 2-0-1 and the two teams feature a combined nine allocated national team players from the Mexican, Canadian and U.S. Women’s National Teams:

FC Kansas City — Nicole Barnhart (USA), Lauren Holiday (USA), Heather O’Reilly (USA), Amy Rodriguez (USA) and Becky Sauerbrunn (USA)

Sky Blue FC – Jonelle Filigno (CAN), Monica Ocampo (MEX), Kelley O’Hara (USA) and Christie Rampone (USA)