I like the name. The Wiz and Wizzards were lame ass names.

"Heineman said the name change was not a copy-cat move to adopt a European name -- Sporting Lisbon or Sporting Gijon -- as other MLS teams have done." Are you kidding us?

Thanks, Mr. Keri. It's good to clear out the BS here. The name change and associated blather is just marketing hype. The "Sporting" moniker is just the latest misguided attempt to tap into futbol authenticity by going European. What really matters is quality on the field, something the Kansas City club continues to neglect.

Heineman must have been smiling when he said that complete load of BS about it not being a euro-copy move. What a crock... To me, it's a lose-lose situation - the hard core soccer fans instantly know it's a euro-copy name and further confirms their feeling that MLS is not worth their time. The casual fans are saying "Sporting? WTF is that?"

Did Heineman consult with the guy in Houston who bungled that name change? Sounds like another MLS owner who thinks he's smarter than the fans. Just because they do it in Europe doesnt mean it should be done here. People in KC will think this is a health club, not a local team. Americans like mascots. That's our culture. The owners in Seattle and Portland did not want to use the old NASL names, but the fans insisted on it.

Mr. Maddock; I couldn't agree more! I love the history and culture of European soccer and have been fortunate to witness it first-hand in many countries. However, this is the USA!...if we are ever going to have our own identity in the soccer world than we need to stop imitating the non-playing aspects of other countries when that imitation detracts from what makes us uniquely American. The quality of our game will not suffer if we don't use names like "Real", "Sporting", "United", "Athletico", etc. Why confuse or alienate those who are not quite "in tune" with the world game? There is nothing wrong with nicknames...Americans like them, remember them, and like to shout them when they cheer on their teams. So let's not impose the traditions of another sporting culture on American soccer fans at the expense of our own sporting traditions. By the way; I did use the word SOCCER; when in other countries I'll use the appropriate term there but right now I am in the USA!

I don't see why the name can't just be "Kansas City"! Adding "Sporting" sounds lame to me! I remain very pleased that my "first love" which is "Blackpool F.C." have left that name unchanged since 1887!( my second love is the San Jose Earthquakes. I tolerate, but do not like the "Earthquakes" name and always hated the "Clash" name that preceded it!)

Can someone explain why the letters S and C are being used? For those complainging about European - stop sounding like Paul Gardner Jr! If you don't liek the name ok - but everyone has to admit that it is better than the wizzards.

Nathan - i'll tell you why "Sporting" is not better than the Wizards. The original Kansas City Wizards name was inspired from an American cinematic classic that made the city known to an audience of hundreds of millions of people - The Wizard of Oz. It might be a silly nickname, but at least it means something, and at least its American. http://takebacksoccer.blogspot.com/