September 14, 2024

By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com

A friendly match between the USA Men’s Soccer Team and Canada played on September 7 in Kansas City helped bring attention to the team and to the host city. Canada won the match 2-1 but for the USA the excitement continues to build thanks to being a host country of the 2026 World Cup.

One big soccer fan keeping an eye on the match and related events in Kansas City was David Wright a Lee’s Summit native now hard at work for US Soccer. Wright currently serves as chief commercial officer for US Soccer. Wright has spearheaded the move to take US Soccer’s commercial rights in house in 2023. Commercial partnerships and events now comprise 77% of US Soccer’s operating revenue.

Wright says of his current work, “The focus is on the game on every level.” Wright adds “I Feel very fortunate to be a part of our success.” Wright says of the sport of soccer “investment is booming.” Wright on World Cup 2026 coming to the United States “a pretty special moment for me.”

The USA Men’s Soccer Team may have played a match on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS but Wright was not in his hometown for the weekend events. Wright did catch in person the soccer team’s match in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Wright says his family has moved on from Lee’s Summit but he still has “a number of friends in town” and tries to “visit them every two years.” The sport of soccer continues to grow quickly in the Kansas City metro area and Wright calls KC “a booming sports town.” For Wright having to see all of this growth from afar he admits “It’s been fun to follow.”

Wright, Class of 1991 at LSHS, moved to Lee’s Summit his sophomore year in high school and then played three years of varsity soccer. Wright fondly recalls his days playing for his high school coach in Kim Richardson. Wright credits him for his development during those years. Wright excelled at high school soccer well enough that he continued his career at Indiana University where he played four years and had two of them end in the NCAA Final Four. While playing at Indiana, Wright had a teammate named Chris Klein who went on to enjoy a pro career with the Kansas City Wizards.

The rise of soccer in the United States continues at an impressive pace. Wright believed the United States “hosting the ’94 World Cup had an impact on this current run.” Wright credits the “launch of the MLS, female sports investment and thriving pro leagues” as having a direct impact on the sports growth. On his current role with USA Soccer, Wright says, “I get up every day thinking of growing the game I love.”

Whether it’s the USA men’s or women’s soccer teams in action a fan can be assured a Lee’s Summit native is working hard behind the scenes to ensure a successful outcome.