2021 Kansas City NWSL season explained
Club: | Kansas City NWSL |
Season: | 2021 |
Chrtitle: | General manager |
Chairman: | Camille Levin Ashton |
Ownertitle: | Owners |
Owner: | Angie Long Chris Long Brittany Mahomes |
Mgrtitle: | Head coach |
Manager: | Huw Williams |
Stadium: | Legends Field (capacity: 10,385) |
League: | 2021 |
League Result: | 10th |
Cup1: | 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup |
Cup1 Result: | 5th, West Division |
League Topscorer: | Darian Jenkins (3) |
Season Topscorer: | Amy Rodriguez (4) |
Highest Attendance: | 6,345 (Oct. 30 vs. RGN) |
Lowest Attendance: | 3,449 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU) |
Average Attendance: | 4,861 |
Largest Win: | 3–0 (Oct. 13 vs. HOU) |
Largest Loss: | 0–4 (Aug. 21 at NC) |
Pattern Name1: | Home |
Pattern B1: | _kcnwsl21h |
Leftarm1: | fff |
Body1: | fff |
Rightarm1: | fff |
Shorts1: | fff |
Socks1: | 65c7c8 |
Alt1: | White shirt, white shorts, teal socks |
Pattern Name2: | Away |
Pattern La2: | _kcnwsl21a |
Pattern B2: | _kcnwsl21a |
Pattern Ra2: | _kcnwsl21a |
Leftarm2: | db2e2b |
Body2: | db2e2b |
Rightarm2: | db2e2b |
Shorts2: | db2e2b |
Socks2: | 65c7c8 |
Alt2: | Red shirt, red shorts, teal socks |
American: | true |
Updated: | July 20, 2022 |
Prevseason: | 2020 (UTA) |
Nextseason: | 2022 |
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]
Background
See also: 2020 National Women's Soccer League season, Utah Royals FC and FC Kansas City.
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. The team subsequently named the rest of its staff on January 11, 2021.
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]
Competitions
Challenge Cup
See main article: 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.
West Division standings
Regular season
See main article: 2021 National Women's Soccer League season.
Results by matchday
Statistical leaders
Top scorers
Rank | Nat. | Player | Goals |
---|
1 | | | 4 |
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2 | | | 3 |
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3 | | | 2 |
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4 | — | 9 players | 1 |
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|
Top assists
Rank | Nat. | Player | Assists |
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1 | | | 2 |
---|
| |
| |
| |
5 | | | 1 |
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| |
| |
| |
|
Shutouts
Rank | Nat. | Player | Clean sheets |
---|
1 | | | 3 |
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2 | | | 1 |
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| |
| |
|
Awards
NWSL weekly awards
Player of the Week
See also: NWSL Player of the Week.
Save of the Week
See also: NWSL Save of the Week.
Week | Nat. | Player | Won | Ref. |
---|
align=center | 5 | | | Won | [8] |
align=center | 7 | | | Nom. | [9] |
align=center | 8 | Nom. | [10] |
align=center | 10 | | | Nom. | [11] |
align=center | 14 | | | Nom. | [12] |
align=center | 16 | | | Nom. | [13] |
align=center | 20 | Nom. | [14] |
align=center | 22 | Nom. | [15] |
|
Transactions
2021 NWSL Draft
See main article: 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 | | Player | | College | Status | Ref. |
---|
1 | 4 | | | DF | Stanford | Signed to three-year contract | [16] [17] |
2 | 15 | | | MF | Wisconsin | Signed to three-year contract | [18] [19] |
16 | | | DF | UCLA | Not signed or named to preseason roster | |
17 | | | MF | Texas A&M | Signed to two-year contract | |
4 | 36 | | | MF | Santa Clara | Signed to two-year contract in 2022 | [20] |
36 | | | MF | Kansas State | Not signed or named to preseason roster | | |
Transfers in
Transfers out
Date | | Player | | Destination club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
---|
July 22, 2021 | | | FW | North Carolina Courage | Traded with $60,000 in allocation money in exchange for Kristen Hamilton, Hailie Mace, and Katelyn Rowland. | |
August 18, 2021 | | | GK | Portland Thorns FC | Traded with $150,000 in allocation money in exchange for Adrianna Franch. | |
August 24, 2021 | | | GK | FC Nordsjælland | Loaned for duration of FC Nordsjælland's season. | [30] |
September 1, 2021 | | | FW | Sevilla FC | On loan until June 2022. | [31] [32] |
December 20, 2021 | | | 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. | |
December 21, 2021 | | | FW | — | Bought out of the remainder of her contract. | [33] [34] |
| | DF | — | Waived. |
| | DF | — | Waived. |
January 11, 2022 | | | FW | Orlando Pride | Traded in exchange for $75,000 in allocation money and Orlando's natural second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft. | [35] |
January 21, 2022 | | | FW | S.L. Benfica | Transferred for undisclosed terms. | [36] |
January 27, 2022 | | | DF | Aston Villa W.F.C. | Transferred for undisclosed terms. | [37] [38] |
|
Notes and References
- Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale . Kansas City Current . October 30, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . May 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220505123956/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-reveals-name-and-crest-at-inaugural-seas . live .
- News: Linehan . Meg . NWSL announces that FC Kansas City will cease operations . November 20, 2017 . NWSL . November 20, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044257/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news#nwsl-announces-that-fc-kansas-city-will-cease-operations . September 29, 2017.
- Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021 . December 7, 2020 . . December 7, 2020 . November 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211122154711/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/kansas-city-returns-to-the-nwsl-as-expansion-team-in-2021 . live .
- Web site: Whitehouse native Brittany Matthews part of ownership team bringing National Women's Soccer League to Kansas City . CBS19.tv . December 7, 2020 . July 20, 2022 . December 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201212104926/https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/whitehouse-native-brittany-matthews-part-of-ownership-team-bringing-national-womens-soccer-league-to-kansas-city/501-7e69f2da-b6b9-4fd8-bbc1-a372364e03b0 . live .
- News: Picture shows Legends Field transformed into KC NWSL pitch . April 22, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . Travis . Meier . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721005406/https://fox4kc.com/sports/kansas-city-current/picture-shows-legends-field-transformed-into-kc-nwsl-pitch/ . live .
- News: KC NWSL to play first home game at Children’s Mercy due to ‘construction delays’ . April 23, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . Travis . Meier . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721005407/https://fox4kc.com/sports/kansas-city-current/kc-nwsl-to-play-first-home-game-at-childrens-mercy-due-to-construction-delays/ . live .
- National Women's Soccer League . National Women's Soccer League . NWSL . 1519798400325013504 . April 28, 2022 . This rookie is real . en . April 28, 2022.
- Web site: Verizon Save of the Week: Week 5, Abby Smith, Kansas City. YouTube . NWSL . August 31, 2021.
- Web site: Verizon Save of the Week Winner: Week 7, Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride. YouTube . NWSL . August 31, 2021.
- Web site: Verizon Save of the Week: DiDi Haracic, NJ/NY Gotham FC. Week 8. YouTube . NWSL . August 31, 2021.
- Web site: Verizon Save of the Week: Week 10, Ashlyn Harris, Orlando Pride. YouTube . NWSL . August 31, 2021.
- Web site: Verizon Save of the Week: Sarah Bouhaddi, OL Reign. Week 14. YouTube . NWSL . August 31, 2021.
- Gonna be tough choosing just one . NWSL. 1435725238634008579.
- Shot stoppin' action . NWSL. 1448399187654156293.
- FINISHED OFF STRONG . NWSL. 1455294874614439941.
- Kansas City Signs First round draft pick Defender Kiki Pickett . May 18, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . December 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211231043416/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-signs-first-round-draft-pick-defender-kiki-picke . live .
- News: KC NWSL signs draft pick Kiki Pickett . May 18, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Blue Testament . Thad . Bell . May 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520052932/https://www.thebluetestament.com/2021/5/18/22443182/kc-nwsl-signs-draft-pick-kiki-pickett-nwsl-2021 . live .
- Kansas City NWSL Agrees to Terms With Draft Picks Victoria Pickett and Addie McCain . March 2, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721005406/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-nwsl-agrees-to-terms-with-draft-picks-victoria-p . live .
- News: KC NWSL updates preseason roster . March 2, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Blue Testament . Cindy . Lara . March 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210309193412/https://www.thebluetestament.com/2021/3/2/22310195/kc-nwsl-updates-preseason-roster-victoria-pickett-addie-mccain-kansas-city . live .
- Kansas City Current Sign Defender Alex Loera Through 2024 Season . January 14, 2022 . July 20, 2022 . . January 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220114203649/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-sign-defender-alex-loera-through-2024-se . live .
- Kansas City NWSL Signs Argentine Player Mariana Larroquette in its First International Roster Move Ahead of the 2021 Season . December 22, 2020 . July 20, 2022 . . July 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220721005407/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-nwsl-signs-argentine-player-mariana-larroquette-in-its-first-international-roster-move-ahead-of-the-2021-season . live .
- News: NWSL KC team signs Argentina National Team Player Mariana Larroquette . December 22, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Blue Testament . Cindy . Lara . March 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210323232346/https://www.thebluetestament.com/2020/12/22/22195164/nwsl-kc-team-signs-argentine-player-argentine-player-mariana-larroquette-kcwoso . live .
- Kansas City Signs Australian National Team Midfielder . January 28, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . Kansas City NWSL.
- News: Kansas City sign 'creative, dynamic and highly competitive' Logarzo . January 30, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Women's Game . Ian . Chadband . June 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625032514/https://thewomensgame.com/news/kansas-city-sign-creative-dynamic-and-highly-competitive-logarzo-560426 . live .
- News: Orlando Pride Trade Jordyn Listro to Kansas City . March 30, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Mane Land . Michael . Citro . June 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609175921/https://www.themaneland.com/2021/3/30/22358806/orlando-pride-trade-jordyn-listro-to-kansas-city . live .
- Kansas City Signs Jéssica Silva . May 10, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . January 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220121014009/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-signs-jessica-silva . live .
- News: KC NWSL signs forward Jéssica Silva . May 10, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . The Blue Testament . Cindy . Lara . May 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210511152408/https://www.thebluetestament.com/2021/5/10/22428773/kc-nwsl-signs-forward-jessica-silva . live .
- News: Courage acquires Amy Rodriguez in trade with Kansas City . July 22, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . July 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210722183707/https://theathletic.com/news/courage-acquires-amy-rodriguez-in-trade-with-kansas-city/lTGKnoLoMzo9 . live .
- News: Kansas City NWSL team trades for U.S. national team goalie . August 18, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . Kansas City Business Journal . James . Dornbrook.
- Kansas City Loans Goalkeeper Carly Nelson to Danish Club FC Nordsjælland . August 24, 2021 . July 21, 2022 . Kansas City Current.
- Kansas City NWSL Loans Forward Michele Vasconcelos to Spanish Club Sevilla FC . September 1, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104132743/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-nwsl-loans-forward-michele-vasconcelos-to-spanis . live .
- SevillaFC_Fem . Sevilla FC Femenino . Sevilla FC (women) . 1433044646490431494 . ▶️ " ". .
- Kansas City Current Announces Roster Changes . December 21, 2021 . July 20, 2022 . . April 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220404114202/https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-announces-roster-changes . live .
- News: The Kansas City Current Release Three and Extend Two . December 21, 2022 . July 20, 2022 . The Blue Testament . Chad C . Smith . December 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211222171506/https://www.thebluetestament.com/2021/12/21/22849119/the-kansas-city-current-release-three-and-extend-two-nwsl-bowen-larroquette-maemone-hamilton-mace . live .
- News: Orlando Pride acquire Darian Jenkins from Kansas City . January 11, 2022 . July 21, 2022 . Just Women's Sports . Emma . Hruby.
- Jéssica Silva: "I will give everything for this jersey!" . January 21, 2022 . July 21, 2022 . S.L. Benfica.
- News: Aston Villa: Scotland captain Rachel Corsie joins WSL side . January 27, 2022 . July 21, 2022 . BBC Sport.
- News: Kansas City’s Rachel Corsie, Jéssica Silva to transfer overseas . January 27, 2022 . July 21, 2022 . Emma . Hruby.