What You Should Know About Kansas City’s New NWSL Team

December 7, 2020, was a sad day for many a WoSo fan as the NWSL announced the Utah Royals would cease operations. But, as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Where there is death, there is life. And that was true on December 7, because on that same day we said goodbye to the Royals, we said hello to Kansas City NWSL. It’s been just over three years since a professional women’s soccer team played in Kansas City and we couldn’t be more excited to see the return of a franchise in such a rich soccer community. Here’s what you need to know ahead of this new team’s first NWSL season. 

They Don’t Have a Name

Usually, an expansion team has at least a year to prep for their inaugural season. Kansas City will have roughly four months from the announcement of their existence to their first kick-off. Though things have needed to move at warp speed for the new KC side, the organization has pumped the brakes on a key decision: the team name.

On January 12, the team announced it will operate as KC NWSL for its first season in the league. Think of it as a placeholder. They’ve also unveiled their temporary badge. 

You've waited patiently for it, and we couldn't be more excited to share our Inaugural Season KC Crest! We Play For You, Kansas City. #WePlayForKC pic.twitter.com/bFoziQqkft

— KC NWSL (@KCWoSo) January 12, 2021

The Roster Has Plenty of Familiar Faces (and Exciting New Ones)

KC NWSL assumed all the player rights from the Utah Royals, which means fans can get hyped to see players like Amy Rodriguez and Diana Matheson in some red, blue, and teal.

And get ready for Mariona Larroquette, an Argentine forward coming from the Norwegian league who will play her first NWSL season with KC. Forward Darian Jenkins will also be headed to KC NWSL from OL Reign.

Speaking of new players, the team welcomed a handful during January 13th’s NWSL draft:

Kiki Pickett (Defender from Stanford selected as the 4th overall pick)

Victoria Pickett (Midfielder from Wisconsin selected as the 15th overall pick)

Lucy Parker (Defender from UCLA selected as the 16th overall pick)

Addie McCain (Midfielder from Texas A&M selected as the 17th overall pick)

Alexa Loera (Defender from Santa Clara selected as the 36th overall pick)

Brookelynn Entz (Defender from Kansas State selected as the 38th overall pick)

The Coach Has Kansas City FC Roots

???? ??? ????: Coach @Huwgsi led FCKC to back-to-back league titles in 2014 and 2015. We can’t wait to get back to winning! pic.twitter.com/fPFYBR2B8t

— KC NWSL (@KCWoSo) December 17, 2020

The team’s coach is Welshman Huw Williams who, in addition to having experience with USYNTs, was the former general manager for FC Kansas City. He’s been a staple in the Kansas City soccer scene since the 1980s. 

They’ve Got an Awesome Ownership Group

Here are the four motivated folks behind the new team:

Angie and Chris Long are a couple of college sweethearts who own an investment management firm and were inspired to buy a women’s soccer team after a 2019 trip to France for the Women’s World Cup. They went to school with Kara Nortman, an owner of Angel City!

Fellow owner Jen Gulvik also has Ivy League roots, having received a degree from Columbia Business School. Gulvik has all kinds of experience building brands in the food, communications, and banking industries.

And finally, Brittany Matthews. She’s a former soccer player for the University of Texas-Tyler and current trainer. Not to mention the fiancee of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

They’ll Play at T-Bones Stadium

The team is set to play their first season at T-Bones Stadium, the home of minor league baseball team Kansas City T-Bones and the former home of the MLS’s Kansas City Wizards. The arena holds 10,385 fans for soccer games.

Featured Image Via Twitter @KCWoSo

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