2021 Kansas City NWSL season

The 2021 Kansas City NWSL season was the team's first season as a professional women's soccer team. Kansas City NWSL plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. The team rebranded at halftime of its final match to the Kansas City Current.[1]

Kansas City NWSL
2021 season
Kansas City NWSL's 2021 home opener on May 26, 2021, at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.
OwnersAngie Long
Chris Long
Brittany Mahomes
General managerCamille Levin Ashton
Head coachHuw Williams
StadiumLegends Field
(capacity: 10,385)
202110th
2021 NWSL Challenge Cup5th, West Division
Top goalscorerLeague: Darian Jenkins (3)
All: Amy Rodriguez (4)
Highest home attendance6,345 (Oct. 30 vs. RGN)
Lowest home attendance3,449 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU)
Average home league attendance4,861
Biggest win3–0 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU)
Biggest defeat0–4 (Aug. 21 at NC)
All statistics correct as of July 20, 2022.

Background

Kansas City previously had an NWSL team in 2017, when two-time champions FC Kansas City ceased operations and its player-related assets were transferred to expansion team Utah Royals FC.[2] Three years later, the Royals also had to cease operations, and a Kansas City-based ownership group led by financial executives Angie and Chris Long took advantage to secure an expansion team along with the Royals' player-related assets on December 7, 2020.[3] Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and former college soccer player at University of Texas at Tyler, purchased a stake in the team as well.[4]

Stadium

The team began play at 10,385-capacity Legends Field, a baseball park in Kansas City, Kansas, that was home to the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[5] However, the team moved its inaugural home match, scheduled for April 26, to Children's Mercy Park due to delays in construction at Legends Field.[6]

Team

Staff

Upon forming Kansas City NWSL, the Longs immediately named Huw Williams, former general manager of FC Kansas City, as the team's inaugural head coach.[3] The team subsequently named the rest of its staff on January 11, 2021.[7]

As of January 11, 2021.[7]
Technical
General manager Derek Shoare
Head coach Huw Williams
Assistant coaches Natalia Astrain
Goran Karadjov
Lucas Rodriguez
Goalkeeper coach Alli Lipsher
Sports Science and Medical
Sports performance coach Terrence Kennell
Athletic trainer Bailey Torrez
Medical director Kirk McCullough
Team doctor Meg Gibson
Team Operations
Equipment manager Karly Cebula
Team administrator Jessica Buller

Squad

Upon formation, the NWSL awarded Kansas City NWSL with the player rights, draft picks, and other roster-related assets of the defunct Utah Royals FC, which formed the team's inaugural roster.[3]

As of November 4, 2021.[8]
No. Pos. Player Nation
0 GK Katelyn Rowland  United States
1 GK Adrianna Franch  United States
2 DF Rachel Corsie  Scotland
4 FW Hailie Mace  United States
5 DF Sydney Miramontez  United States
6 DF Katie Bowen  Scotland
7 DF Elizabeth Ball  United States
9 MF Lo'eau LaBonta  United States
11 MF Desiree Scott  Canada
13 FW Darian Jenkins  United States
14 MF Gaby Vincent  United States
16 FW Jaycie Johnson  United States
17 FW Arielle Ship  United States
19 DF Michelle Maemone  United States
20 DF Mallory Weber  United States
21 FW Mariana Larroquette  Argentina
22 MF Maddie Nolf  United States
23 DF Kiki Pickett  United States
24 DF Taylor Leach  United States
25 FW Kristen Hamilton  United States
26 MF Jordyn Listro  Canada
28 MF Addie McCain  United States
29 DF Kate Del Fava  United States
66 MF Chloe Logarzo  Australia
77 FW Jéssica Silva  Portugal
99 MF Victoria Pickett  Canada

Competitions

Challenge Cup

Group stage

April 9, 2021 (2021-04-09) 1 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Kansas City NWSL Portland, Oregon
19:30 PDT
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 4,646
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant referees: Deleana Quan, Kali Smith
Fourth official: Adorae Monroy
April 21, 2021 (2021-04-21) 2 Chicago Red Stars 1–1 Kansas City NWSL Bridgeview, Illinois
17:30 CDT
Report Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Referee: Natalie Simon
Assistant referees: Jennifer Garner, Rachel Smith
Fourth official: Calin Radosav
April 26, 2021 (2021-04-26) 3 Kansas City NWSL 0–3 Houston Dash Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT
Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 4,669
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Assistant referees: Tiffini Turpin, Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth official: Luis Tribaldo
May 3, 2021 (2021-05-03) 4 Kansas City NWSL 1–2 OL Reign Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 3,079
Referee: Karen Callado
Assistant referees: Kali Smith, Jack Ryan-Feldman
Fourth official: Velimir Stefanovic

West Division standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 10 Qualification for the Championship
2 OL Reign 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 7
3 Houston Dash 4 1 3 0 4 2 +2 6
4 Chicago Red Stars 4 0 2 2 3 5 2 2
5 Kansas City 4 0 1 3 4 8 4 1
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Regular season

Matches

May 23, 2021 (2021-05-23) 2 Houston Dash 2–2 Kansas City NWSL Houston, Texas
18:00 CDT
Report Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 3,034
May 26, 2021 (2021-05-26) 3 Kansas City NWSL 0–2 Chicago Red Stars Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 5,272
May 30, 2021 (2021-05-30) 4 Orlando Pride 1–0 Kansas City NWSL Orlando, Florida
18:00 EDT Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 4,044
June 6, 2021 (2021-06-06) 5 Kansas City NWSL 0–1 Houston Dash Kansas City, Kansas
13:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 4,265
June 20, 2021 (2021-06-20) 6 Portland Thorns FC 1–0 Kansas City NWSL Portland, Oregon
13:00 PDT
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
June 23, 2021 (2021-06-23) 7 Kansas City NWSL 1–3 Orlando Pride Kansas City, Kansas
13:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 4,197
June 26, 2021 (2021-06-26) 8 Kansas City NWSL 1–2 Washington Spirit Kansas City, Kansas
19:30 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 5,157
July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02) 9 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–1 Kansas City NWSL Harrison, New Jersey
22:20 EDT
Report Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 2,307
July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11) 10 OL Reign 2–0 Kansas City NWSL Tacoma, Washington
16:00 PDT
Report
Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Attendance: 3,124
July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23) 11 Kansas City NWSL 0–0 North Carolina Courage Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 5,239
August 1, 2021 (2021-08-01) 12 Portland Thorns FC 2–0 Kansas City NWSL Portland, Oregon
12:00 PDT
Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 16,246
August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08) 13 Racing Louisville FC 3–1 Kansas City NWSL Louisville, Kentucky
14:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,843
August 14, 2021 (2021-08-14) 14 Kansas City NWSL 1–0 OL Reign Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 5,368
August 21, 2021 (2021-08-21) 15 North Carolina Courage 4–0 Kansas City NWSL Cary, North Carolina
19:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 4,943
August 25, 2021 (2021-08-25) 16 Kansas City NWSL 2–1 Racing Louisville FC Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 3,997
August 28, 2021 (2021-08-28) 17 Chicago Red Stars 3–0 Kansas City NWSL Bridgeview, Illinois
19:00 CDT
Report Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 3,536
September 5, 2021 (2021-09-05) 18 Kansas City NWSL 0–0 North Carolina Courage Kansas City, Kansas
18:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 4,583
September 26, 2021 (2021-09-26) 19 Washington Spirit 2–1 Kansas City NWSL Leesburg, Virginia
17:00 EDT
Report
Stadium: Segra Field
Attendance: 3,295
October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) 20 Kansas City NWSL 0–0 Portland Thorns FC Kansas City, Kansas
16:00 CDT Report Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 5,438
October 13, 2021 (2021-10-13) 21 Kansas City NWSL 3–0 Houston Dash Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 3,449
October 16, 2021 (2021-10-16) 22 Chicago Red Stars 2–1 Kansas City NWSL Bridgeview, Illinois
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 4,488
October 22, 2021 (2021-10-22) 23 Kansas City NWSL 1–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 4,733
October 30, 2021 (2021-10-30) 24 Kansas City Current 0–3 OL Reign Kansas City, Kansas
19:00 CDT
Report
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 6,345
Note: Kansas City NWSL changed its name and crest at halftime to Kansas City Current.[1]

Regular season standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 24 13 5 6 33 17 +16 44 NWSL Shield
2 OL Reign 24 13 3 8 37 24 +13 42 Playoffs – Semi-finals
3 Washington Spirit (C) 24 11 6 7 29 26 +3 39 Playoffs – First round
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 5 8 28 28 0 38
5 NJ/NY Gotham FC 24 8 11 5 29 21 +8 35
6 North Carolina Courage 24 9 6 9 28 23 +5 33
7 Houston Dash 24 9 5 10 31 31 0 32
8 Orlando Pride 24 7 7 10 27 32 5 28
9 Racing Louisville FC 24 5 7 12 21 40 19 22
10 Kansas City 24 3 7 14 15 36 21 16
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
24 3 7 14 15 36  −21 16 3 4 5 9 13  −4 0 3 9 6 23  −17

Last updated: October 30, 2021.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com

Results by matchday

Matchday123456789101112131415161718192021222324
StadiumAAHAHAHHAAHAAHAHAHAHHAHH
ResultDDLLLLLLDLDLLWLWLDLDWLDL
Position268101010101010101010101010101010101010101010
Updated to match(es) played on October 30, 2021. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Statistical leaders

As of October 30, 2021, for all competitions.[9]

Top scorers

Rank Nat. Player Goals
1 United StatesAmy Rodriguez 4
2 United StatesDarian Jenkins 3
3 ArgentinaMariana Larroquette 2
4 9 players 1

Top assists

Rank Nat. Player Assists
1 New ZealandKatie Bowen 2
United StatesLo'eau LaBonta
CanadaVictoria Pickett
PortugalJéssica Silva
5 ArgentinaMariana Larroquette 1
United StatesHailie Mace
United StatesAbby Smith
United StatesMallory Weber

Shutouts

Rank Nat. Player Clean sheets
1 United StatesAdrianna Franch 3
2 United StatesNicole Barnhart 1
United StatesCarly Nelson
United StatesAbby Smith

Awards

Player of the Week

Week Nat. Player Won Ref.
5 United StatesElyse Bennett Won [10]

Save of the Week

Week Nat. Player Won Ref.
5 United StatesAbby Smith Won [11]
7 United StatesNicole Barnhart Nom. [12]
8 Nom. [13]
10 United StatesKristen Edmonds Nom. [14]
14 United StatesKatelyn Rowland Nom. [15]
16 United StatesAdrianna Franch Nom. [16]
20 Nom. [17]
22 Nom. [18]

Transactions

2021 NWSL Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2021 NWSL Draft was held on January 13, 2021. The NWSL awarded Kansas City all of the defunct Utah Royals FC team's player rights and draft picks upon its dissolution.[3]

Round Pick Nat. Player Pos. College Status Ref.
1 4 United StatesKiki Pickett DF Stanford Signed to three-year contract [19][20]
2 15 CanadaVictoria Pickett MF Wisconsin Signed to three-year contract [21][22]
16 EnglandLucy Parker DF UCLA Not signed or named to preseason roster [22]
17 United StatesAddie McCain MF Texas A&M Signed to two-year contract [21][22]
4 36 United StatesAlex Loera MF Santa Clara Signed to two-year contract in 2022 [23]
36 United StatesBrookelynn Entz MF Kansas State Not signed or named to preseason roster [22]

Transfers in

Date Nat. Player Pos. Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
December 22, 2020 ArgentinaMariana Larroquette FW Norway Lyn Fotball Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. [24][25]
January 28, 2021 AustraliaChloe Logarzo MF England Bristol City W.F.C. Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. [26][27]
March 30, 2021 CanadaJordyn Listro MF United States Orlando Pride Acquired in exchange for Kansas City's natural third-round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, or conditionally the team's second-round pick in the 2022 or 2023 NWSL Drafts. [28]
May 10, 2021 PortugalJéssica Silva FW France Olympique Lyonnais Féminin Signed two-year contract. [29][30]
July 22, 2021 United StatesKristen Hamilton FW United States North Carolina Courage Acquired in exchange for $60,000 in allocation money and Amy Rodriguez. [31]
United StatesHailie Mace MF
United StatesKatelyn Rowland GK
August 18, 2021 United StatesAdrianna Franch GK United States Portland Thorns FC Acquired in exchange for $150,000 in allocation money and Abby Smith. [32]

Transfers out

Date Nat. Player Pos. Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
July 22, 2021 United StatesAmy Rodriguez FW United States North Carolina Courage Traded with $60,000 in allocation money in exchange for Kristen Hamilton, Hailie Mace, and Katelyn Rowland. [31]
August 18, 2021 United StatesAbby Smith GK United States Portland Thorns FC Traded with $150,000 in allocation money in exchange for Adrianna Franch. [32]
August 24, 2021 United StatesCarly Nelson GK Denmark FC Nordsjælland Loaned for duration of FC Nordsjælland's season. [33]
September 1, 2021 United StatesMichele Vasconcelos FW Spain Sevilla FC On loan until June 2022. [34][35]
December 20, 2021 United StatesGaby Vincent DF/MF United States Washington Spirit Traded in exchange for $25,000 in allocation money and Washington's natural fourth-round selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft. [32]
December 21, 2021 ArgentinaMariana Larroquette FW Bought out of the remainder of her contract. [36][37]
ScotlandKatie Bowen DF Waived.
United StatesMichelle Maemone DF Waived.
January 11, 2022 United StatesDarian Jenkins FW United States Orlando Pride Traded in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money and Orlando's natural second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. [38]
January 21, 2022 PortugalJéssica Silva FW Portugal S.L. Benfica Transferred for undisclosed terms. [39][40]
January 27, 2022 ScotlandRachel Corsie DF England Aston Villa W.F.C. Transferred for undisclosed terms. [41][39]

References

  1. "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale" (Press release). Kansas City Current. October 30, 2021. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  2. Linehan, Meg (November 20, 2017). "NWSL announces that FC Kansas City will cease operations". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  3. "Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  4. "Whitehouse native Brittany Matthews part of ownership team bringing National Women's Soccer League to Kansas City". CBS19.tv. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  5. Meier, Travis (April 22, 2021). "Picture shows Legends Field transformed into KC NWSL pitch". WDAF-TV. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  6. Meier, Travis (April 23, 2021). "KC NWSL to play first home game at Children's Mercy due to 'construction delays'". WDAF-TV. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  7. Bell, Thad (January 11, 2021). "KC NWSL announces staff for inaugural season". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  8. "Team". kansascitycurrent.com. Kansas City Current. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021.
  9. "Stats". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  10. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 28, 2022). "This rookie is real" (Tweet). Retrieved April 28, 2022 via Twitter.
  11. "Verizon Save of the Week: Week 5, Abby Smith, Kansas City". YouTube. NWSL. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  12. "Verizon Save of the Week Winner: Week 7, Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride". YouTube. NWSL. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  13. "Verizon Save of the Week: DiDi Haracic, NJ/NY Gotham FC. Week 8". YouTube. NWSL. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  14. "Verizon Save of the Week: Week 10, Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride". YouTube. NWSL. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  15. "Verizon Save of the Week: Sarah Bouhaddi, OL Reign. Week 14". YouTube. NWSL. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  16. @NWSL (September 8, 2021). "Gonna be tough choosing just one 😓" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  17. @NWSL (October 13, 2021). "Shot stoppin' action 💥" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  18. @NWSL (November 1, 2021). "FINISHED OFF STRONG 🔥" (Tweet) via Twitter.
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  22. Lara, Cindy (March 2, 2021). "KC NWSL updates preseason roster". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
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  24. "Kansas City NWSL Signs Argentine Player Mariana Larroquette in its First International Roster Move Ahead of the 2021 Season" (Press release). Kansas City NWSL. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  25. Lara, Cindy (December 22, 2021). "NWSL KC team signs Argentina National Team Player Mariana Larroquette". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  26. "Kansas City Signs Australian National Team Midfielder" (Press release). Kansas City NWSL. January 28, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  27. Chadband, Ian (January 30, 2021). "Kansas City sign 'creative, dynamic and highly competitive' Logarzo". The Women's Game. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  28. Citro, Michael (March 30, 2021). "Orlando Pride Trade Jordyn Listro to Kansas City". The Mane Land. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  29. "Kansas City Signs Jéssica Silva" (Press release). Kansas City NWSL. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  30. Lara, Cindy (May 10, 2021). "KC NWSL signs forward Jéssica Silva". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  31. "Courage acquires Amy Rodriguez in trade with Kansas City". The Athletic. July 22, 2021. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  32. Dornbrook, James (August 18, 2021). "Kansas City NWSL team trades for U.S. national team goalie". Kansas City Business Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  33. "Kansas City Loans Goalkeeper Carly Nelson to Danish Club FC Nordsjælland" (Press release). Kansas City Current. August 24, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  34. "Kansas City NWSL Loans Forward Michele Vasconcelos to Spanish Club Sevilla FC" (Press release). Kansas City NWSL. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  35. Sevilla FC Femenino [@SevillaFC_Fem] (September 1, 2021). "▶️ "𝙐𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙤 𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙚𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚 𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙨 𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙨". 🤗🔝" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  36. "Kansas City Current Announces Roster Changes" (Press release). Kansas City Current. December 21, 2021. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  37. Smith, Chad C (December 21, 2022). "The Kansas City Current Release Three and Extend Two". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  38. Hruby, Emma (January 11, 2022). "Orlando Pride acquire Darian Jenkins from Kansas City". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  39. Hruby, Emma (January 27, 2022). "Kansas City's Rachel Corsie, Jéssica Silva to transfer overseas". Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  40. "Jéssica Silva: "I will give everything for this jersey!"" (Press release). S.L. Benfica. January 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  41. "Aston Villa: Scotland captain Rachel Corsie joins WSL side". BBC Sport. January 27, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
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