On a scorching Tuesday afternoon in Budd Park members of the Mattie Rhodes Centers’ Soccer for Success program, Blue the Dog – official mascot for Sporting Kansas City – the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Dick’s Sporting Goods cut the ribbon to a new mini pitch soccer court on the site of the old Budd Park tennis courts.

Also on hand for the event was gold medal winner and forward for the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) FC Kansas City Club Amy Rodriguez. Following the ribbon cutting, Rodriguez coached a number of young girls in soccer basics during a pickup game.

Mattie Rhodes Center President John Fierro also received a $2,000 grant check from Dick’s Sporting Goods for their ongoing soccer programs in Kansas City’s Urban core.

“We are extremely proud and pleased to be a partner with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department and presenting Sports opportunities for urban youth,” Fierro said.

The hope, according to Kansas City Parks Commissioner and former Indian Mound Neighborhood President Scott Wagner, is to grow the program to more parks in the urban core based on the success of this model.