Match day is a performance for The Cauldron, just like it is for the players. Supporters’ groups were made for match days. This is The Cauldron’s day to come out in full-force, show the world what we’re made of and support the team on the pitch.
The first thing to know about Match Day is tailgating. This is our pregame preparatory routine. Every home match, there is a Cauldron tailgate. We meet at the east end of the White Lot before the match. Parking lot gates open three (3) hours before kick off. Sometimes we cook out and eat, we definitely drink, we kick the ball around, and we socialize. More on that (including a map) in The Tailgate section below.
After the tailgate, we make our way into Children’s Mercy Park (CMP). The Cauldron’s main area is the Supporters’ Stand (Sections S1 through S9). We stand on the NE side of the stadium. There are other supporters’ groups spread throughout CMP, so go where your ticket says to go. If you enter through the Brewhouse, there is an express lane for Cauldron Members, have your Cauldron Membership Card out and ready to go.
During the game we will chant, we will sing, and when the confetti cannons go off, we will go crazy. Hugs, high fives, yelling, dancing and chest bumping are all encouraged as ways of celebration. Leave most of your clothes on, and please don’t try to get on the field. Other rules can be found in the Fan Code of Conduct section below.
Our main purpose once inside the walls of Children’s Mercy Park is to be the voice of SKC. We often hear from many players that the chants and support from the Cauldron and other fans is what gives them extra motivation. We will chant encouragement to our players, we will disagree with the referees, and we will demotivate the other teams (especially opposing goalkeepers).
Our chants are lead by fearless, selfless, tireless, capos that watch the game with a beer in one hand, a megaphone or trombone in the other, and with their backs to the field.
Warning: The language that the Cauldron uses in our chants may not be suitable for younger soccer fans.
The first thing we do after the National Anthem (Rule #3: Please don’t say, “Home of the Chiefs” during the National Anthem) could possibly be a large tifo display. The word tifo is Italian and it literally, it refers to the typhus “fever,” which can cause an outbreak of delirium in those who suffer it. Supporters who form a tifo are known as tifosi, which is the Italian word for “those infected with typhus.” More germain to futbol (or soccer) it means any choreographed display by fans.
If The Cauldron has created a tifo for a match, you will be instructed on what to do prior to actually being asked to do it. If you spent too much time at the tailgate or simply don’t know what to do, just do exactly what the person next to you is doing. After the tifo display, the match kicks off and game time begins. Don’t sit down (except for a few minutes at half time — remember Rule #1?)! Stand, sing and support SKC for the full 90+ minutes!
We will hand out a chant sheet to help you follow along. There will always be flags in section S1 through S9 that are meant to be used during the game, especially after a goal. Rules with the flags: 1) No, you can’t take it home 2) Yes, you should stop other people from taking them home and 3) Put the flag down during regular game play (unless you’re in S9, Rows 8-12.) People need to see what’s happening on the field. As soon as that ball smashes into the opponents net, you wave that flag like you’ve never waved a flag before.
After the match is over, win or lose, we will continue the party in the Brewhouse. Drums will beat, music will blare, and we will sing. Then, when it’s all said and done, you will drive home (or have someone else drive you home) and you will get ready to do it all again in a week or two.
