Kansas City Swiss Society rallies as Switzerland heads to quarterfinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A day after Switzerland beat Colombia in a shootout to advance to the quarterfinals, the Kansas City Swiss Society gathered at its chalet to celebrate. The Swiss national team touched down in KC Wednesday night and will be playing Argentina on Saturday.

“We’re really proud of our Swiss heritage here in Kansas City and so it’s cool to have it brought to light,” said Lauren Brown.

She and her husband Steven Brown are members of the Kansas City Swiss Society, a nonprofit built around community and celebrating their shared heritage.

“We have about 5-6 events a year,” said Lauren. “A lot of our events mimic events that happen in Switzerland. We’ll celebrate Swiss National Day on August 1.”

The organization added another Wednesday afternoon as the alpenhorns and cheese were brought out and people wore either traditional Swiss attire, the national team’s jerseys, or their Swiss Society shirts. It comes a day after the watch party at KC Bier Co, which Steven describes as exciting, but tense towards the end.

“Some people had to walk away, hide outside because it was just so stressful for them,” Said Steven.

Both play the alphorn, with Steven saying they will be playing later this week as the Kansas City Swiss Society works to organize a fan gathering for those traveling into town.

“I mean, it’s been wild,” said Pat Clifton, describing Switzerland’s journey in the World Cup. “From thinking you’re going to win one of the first pool games to it being a last second tie, to now moving on to the quarterfinals and coming to Kansas City. When all the things you look at in the World Cup, I never thought Switzerland in Kansas City.”

A massive sports fan, Clifton says he’s looking to get tickets to Saturday’s match, adding it will be a full circle moment for him.

“My dad took me and my brother to the first Wizards game at Arrowhead 30 years ago. He died a couple months later,” said Clifton. “You’re standing on my dad’s family land. My great grandfather and grandmother immigrated from Switzerland. For Switzerland to be here, to celebrate here and have all these people here, it’s absolutely a dream come true.”

He expects a great game this weekend. Switzerland takes on Argentina at Kansas City Stadium Saturday at 8 p.m.