2021 Kansas City NWSL season
Kansas City NWSL's first season
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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]
OwnersAngie Long
Chris Long
Brittany Mahomes
Chris Long
Brittany Mahomes
General managerCamille Levin Ashton
Head coachHuw Williams
StadiumLegends Field
(capacity: 10,385)
(capacity: 10,385)
| 2021 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City NWSL's 2021 home opener on May 26, 2021, at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. | |||
| Owners | Angie Long Chris Long Brittany Mahomes | ||
| General manager | Camille Levin Ashton | ||
| Head coach | Huw Williams | ||
| Stadium | Legends Field (capacity: 10,385) | ||
| 2021 | 10th | ||
| 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup | 5th, West Division | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Darian Jenkins (3) All: Amy Rodriguez (4) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 6,345 (Oct. 30 vs. RGN) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 3,449 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 4,861 | ||
| Biggest win | 3–0 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU) | ||
| Biggest defeat | 0–4 (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. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | GK | USA |
Katelyn Rowland |
| 1 | GK | USA |
Adrianna Franch |
| 2 | DF |  SCO |
Rachel Corsie |
| 4 | FW | USA |
Hailie Mace |
| 5 | DF | USA |
Sydney Miramontez |
| 6 | DF | SCO |
Katie Bowen |
| 7 | DF | USA |
Elizabeth Ball |
| 9 | MF | USA |
Lo'eau LaBonta |
| 11 | MF |  CAN |
Desiree Scott |
| 13 | FW | USA |
Darian Jenkins |
| 14 | MF | USA |
Gaby Vincent |
| 16 | FW | USA |
Jaycie Johnson |
| 17 | FW | USA |
Arielle Ship |
| 19 | DF | USA |
Michelle Maemone |
| 20 | DF | USA |
Mallory Weber |
| 21 | FW | ARG |
Mariana Larroquette |
| 22 | MF | USA |
Maddie Nolf |
| 23 | DF | USA |
Kiki Pickett |
| 24 | DF | USA |
Taylor Leach |
| 25 | FW | USA |
Kristen Hamilton |
| 26 | MF | CAN |
Jordyn Listro |
| 28 | MF | USA |
Addie McCain |
| 29 | DF | USA |
Kate Del Fava |
| 66 | MF |  AUS |
Chloe Logarzo |
| 77 | FW |  POR |
Jéssica Silva |
| 99 | MF | CAN |
Victoria Pickett |
Competitions
Challenge Cup
Group stage
| April 9, 2021 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 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 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 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 |
Regular season
Matches
| May 15, 2021 1 | Racing Louisville FC | 0–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 17:00 EDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 6,622 |
| May 23, 2021 2 | Houston Dash | 2–2 | Kansas City NWSL | Houston, Texas |
| 18:00 CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: BBVA Stadium Attendance: 3,034 |
| May 26, 2021 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 4 | Orlando Pride | 1–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Orlando, Florida |
| 18:00 EDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Exploria Stadium Attendance: 4,044 |
| June 6, 2021 5 | Kansas City NWSL | 0–1 | Houston Dash | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 13:00 CDT |
|
Report | Stadium: Legends Field Attendance: 4,265 |
| June 20, 2021 6 | Portland Thorns FC | 1–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Portland, Oregon |
| 13:00 PDT | Report | Stadium: Providence Park |
| June 23, 2021 7 | Kansas City NWSL | 1–3 | Orlando Pride | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 13:00 CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Legends Field Attendance: 4,197 |
| June 26, 2021 8 | Kansas City NWSL | 1–2 | Washington Spirit | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 19:30 CDT | Report | Stadium: Legends Field Attendance: 5,157 |
| July 2, 2021 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 10 | OL Reign | 2–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Tacoma, Washington |
| 16:00 PDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Cheney Stadium Attendance: 3,124 |
| July 23, 2021 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 12 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Portland, Oregon |
| 12:00 PDT | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 16,246 |
| August 8, 2021 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 14 | Kansas City NWSL | 1–0 | OL Reign | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 19:00 CDT |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Legends Field Attendance: 5,368 |
| August 21, 2021 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 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 17 | Chicago Red Stars | 3–0 | Kansas City NWSL | Bridgeview, Illinois |
| 19:00 CDT | Report | Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium Attendance: 3,536 |
| September 5, 2021 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 19 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Kansas City NWSL | Leesburg, Virginia |
| 17:00 EDT | Report | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 3,295 |
| October 10, 2021 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 21 | Kansas City NWSL | 3–0 | Houston Dash | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 19:00 CDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Legends Field Attendance: 3,449 |
| October 16, 2021 22 | Chicago Red Stars | 2–1 | Kansas City NWSL | Bridgeview, Illinois |
| 19:00 CDT | Report | Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium Attendance: 4,488 |
| October 22, 2021 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 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 |
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 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
Updated to match(es) played on October 30, 2021. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
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 | | Amy Rodriguez | 4 |
| 2 | | Darian Jenkins | 3 |
| 3 | | Mariana Larroquette | 2 |
| 4 | — | 9 players | 1 |
Top assists
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Katie Bowen | 2 |
| Lo'eau LaBonta | ||
| Victoria Pickett | ||
| Jéssica Silva | ||
| 5 | | Mariana Larroquette | 1 |
| Hailie Mace | ||
| Abby Smith | ||
| Mallory Weber | ||
Shutouts
| Rank | Nat. | Player | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Adrianna Franch | 3 |
| 2 | | Nicole Barnhart | 1 |
| Carly Nelson | ||
| Abby Smith | ||
Awards
NWSL weekly awards
Player of the Week
| Week | Nat. | Player | Won | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | | Elyse Bennett | Won | [10] |
Save of the Week
| Week | Nat. | Player | Won | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | | Abby Smith | Won | [11] |
| 7 | | Nicole Barnhart | Nom. | [12] |
| 8 | Nom. | [13] | ||
| 10 | | Kristen Edmonds | Nom. | [14] |
| 14 | | Katelyn Rowland | Nom. | [15] |
| 16 | | Adrianna 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 | | Kiki Pickett | DF | Stanford | Signed to three-year contract | [19][20] |
| 2 | 15 | | Victoria Pickett | MF | Wisconsin | Signed to three-year contract | [21][22] |
| 16 | | Lucy Parker | DF | UCLA | Not signed or named to preseason roster | [22] | |
| 17 | | Addie McCain | MF | Texas A&M | Signed to two-year contract | [21][22] | |
| 4 | 36 | | Alex Loera | MF | Santa Clara | Signed to two-year contract in 2022 | [23] |
| 36 | | Brookelynn 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 | | Mariana Larroquette | FW |  Lyn Fotball |
Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. | [24][25] |
| January 28, 2021 | | Chloe Logarzo | MF | Bristol City W.F.C. |
Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. | [26][27] |
| March 30, 2021 | | Jordyn Listro | MF | 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 | | Jéssica Silva | FW |  Olympique Lyonnais Féminin |
Signed two-year contract. | [29][30] |
| July 22, 2021 | | Kristen Hamilton | FW | North Carolina Courage |
Acquired in exchange for $60,000 in allocation money and Amy Rodriguez. | [31] |
| Hailie Mace | MF | ||||
| Katelyn Rowland | GK | ||||
| August 18, 2021 | | Adrianna Franch | GK | 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 | | Amy Rodriguez | FW | North Carolina Courage |
Traded with $60,000 in allocation money in exchange for Kristen Hamilton, Hailie Mace, and Katelyn Rowland. | [31] |
| August 18, 2021 | | Abby Smith | GK | Portland Thorns FC |
Traded with $150,000 in allocation money in exchange for Adrianna Franch. | [32] |
| August 24, 2021 | | Carly Nelson | GK |  FC Nordsjælland |
Loaned for duration of FC Nordsjælland's season. | [33] |
| September 1, 2021 | | Michele Vasconcelos | FW | Sevilla FC |
On loan until June 2022. | [34][35] |
| December 20, 2021 | | Gaby Vincent | DF/MF | 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 | | Mariana Larroquette | FW | — | Bought out of the remainder of her contract. | [36][37] |
| Katie Bowen | DF | — | Waived. | ||
| Michelle Maemone | DF | — | Waived. | ||
| January 11, 2022 | | Darian Jenkins | FW | 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 | | Jéssica Silva | FW | S.L. Benfica |
Transferred for undisclosed terms. | [39][40] |
| January 27, 2022 | | Rachel Corsie | DF | Aston Villa W.F.C. |
Transferred for undisclosed terms. | [41][39] |