How BEST Crowd Management Helped Sporting KC Achieve the First Perfect MLS QAT Score

When Major League Soccer (MLS) conducts its surprise Quality Assurance Tests (QATs), the assessments are discreet and comprehensive. Their goal is to ensure every fan, player, and employee is secure, and that the crowd management teams protecting them are operating at the highest standard.

This year, our team at BEST Crowd Management helped make history.

During a regular season match at Children’s Mercy Park, Sporting KC became the first and only team in MLS history to achieve a perfect QAT score. BEST was proud to play a significant role in that success as the on-site crowd management partner, responsible for gate entry screening and venue-wide security operations. 

This achievement wasn’t just about one night of perfect execution. It was the result of years of collaboration, targeted training, and a commitment to operational excellence from both Sporting KC and BEST. 

The Power of Preparation

The surprise QAT visit happened during a quieter early-season match in May. Our local Kansas City team had no advance warning, which is exactly how it’s designed.

“We weren’t anticipating them,” said Kelly Claxton, BEST’s Account Manager at Sporting Kansas City. “They usually come later in the season, and none of the other teams had seen them yet. When we got the results weeks later, we were thrilled.”

This perfect score wasn’t luck. It was the product of intentional preparation and a deeply ingrained security culture.

Training That Builds Confidence and Results

Each season, BEST conducts in-depth, pre-season training with our event security team at Children’s Mercy Park. These five-hour sessions go beyond basic policies and protocols. The team runs scenario-based exercises, refreshes on updated prohibited item lists, and conducts joint training with the venue’s guest services team to ensure seamless coordination at entry gates.

“Every year, we build on our training based off the previous QAT feedback,” said Claxton. “Last season, we missed a prohibited item that was hidden at the bottom of a bag that was wrapped in clothing. This year, we trained staff to visually inspect the full depth of every bag. No item left unseen, no assumption made.”

Claxton also implemented an important change to keep staff safe and fans accountable. Security team members never reach into bags. Fans are asked to remove and display contents themselves. “It protects our staff, and it reinforces that the fan is responsible for their own belongings.”

These detailed protocols, rooted in both safety and consistency, helped BEST’s team excel across every evaluated category, from screening accuracy and demeanor to response time and communication.

Trusted Partners, Not Just Contractors

BEST’s relationship with Sporting KC is built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to excellence. Since 2018, BEST has provided event security services for the organization.

“The client treats us like we’re part of their internal team, not just a third-party vendor,” Claxton said. “When the results came in, Sporting KC’s Director of Security even bought gift cards and handed out challenge coins to the BEST team members who contributed to the score.”

That recognition wasn’t just a gesture. It was a reflection of the teamwork and trust that fuel long-term success at every venue we serve.

Leading With Unique Operations Experience

Claxton’s background in emergency management and mass casualty planning gives her a unique edge in stadium security. After working as a critical care nurse for nearly 20 years and helping coordinate emergency protocols in a school district, she brought her expertise to BEST in 2020 where her father was already a part of the team.

What started as a part-time role quickly became a passion. By 2022, Claxton was leading the BEST account at Children’s Mercy Park. Her hands-on leadership style and operational knowledge set her apart, but she credits BEST’s supportive culture for helping her grow.

She credits much of her success to her hands-on approach. “I don’t sit in an office during games. I’m on the field, I’m at the gates, I’m checking in on each team member, supporting them, and filling in when needed. That’s how you build trust and consistency.”

Claxton’s growth from frontline team member to respected leader reflects the culture of mentorship, teamwork, and opportunity that defines BEST Crowd Management.

Setting the Bar for the Entire League

In 2022, BEST’s work at Sporting KC was recognized when the team was named MLS Security Team of the Year. This latest achievement is a continuation of that upward trajectory.

“This score proves that everything we’ve worked on, trained for, and prioritized as a team is working,” Claxton said. “It’s not just a proud moment for our local Kansas City team. It’s a proud moment for BEST.”

Why It Matters

At BEST, we don’t just show up on game day. We invest in our people, build strong partnerships, and continuously evolve our approach to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s screening fans, managing mass evacuations, or preventing security threats, our teams are prepared because they’re trained by the best.

To learn more about BEST Crowd Management’s services with sporting events, visit https://best.garda.com/sectors/sporting-events-management.