 | |||
| Founded | December 7, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Legends Field Kansas City, Kansas | ||
| Capacity | 10,385 | ||
| Owners | Angie Long Chris Long Brittany Matthews | ||
| Head coach | Huw Williams | ||
| League | National Women's Soccer League | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
Kansas City NWSL is an American professional women's soccer team based in Kansas City, Kansas. It began play as an expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2021.
Kansas City last 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. [1] 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. [2] Brittany Matthews, fiancée 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. [3] The Longs immediately named Huw Williams, former general manager of FC Kansas City, as the team's inaugural head coach. [2]
Due to the short turnaround between the team's founding and the 2021 NWSL season, the ownership announced in January 2021 that the team would play its inaugural season under the temporary name "Kansas City NWSL" with temporary crest and colors; a full brand development process would take place so that a permanent team name, crest, and colors will be in place for the 2022 NWSL season. [4]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–present | Nike | Palmer Square Capital Management | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City | [5] [6] |
Kansas City plays home matches at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. [7] [8]
The club announced in September 2021 that it would host all home matches at Children's Mercy Park beginning with the 2022 season. [9]
In October 2021 the club unveiled plans to construct the first purpose-built stadium for North American women's professional soccer. The stadium is planned to be built in Kansas City, Missouri at the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park with an estimated cost of $70 million. The project will be entirely privately financed through the ownership group, with the team signing a 50-year lease for the site at which the stadium will be located. [10]
The Blue Crew, a supporters group of the defunct FC Kansas City, has continued to support the new NWSL team in Kansas City. [11]
On June 13, 2021, CBS affiliate KCTV agreed on a multi-year deal to become the official local television partner through the 2023 season. The station and its MyNetworkTV affiliate KSMO-TV will broadcast eight matches locally in the club's inaugural season. Brad Porter will serve as the play-by-play commentator, joined by Aly Trost as the color analyst. [12]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | GK | Carly Nelson (at FC Nordsjælland [14] ) |  United States |
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| Director of sport and chief soccer officer | Christian Lavers |
| Associate general manager | Derek Shoare |
| Technical | |
| Head coach |  Huw Williams |
| Assistant coach |  Natalia Astrain |
| Assistant coach |  Goran Karadjov |
| Video analyst and assistant coach |  Lucas Rodriguez |
| Goalkeeper coach | Alli Lipsher |
Huw Williams (2021–present)| Year | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Avg. Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NWSL | TBD | TBD | TBD |
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