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.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
Technical Goran Karadjov Lucas Rodriguez Sports Science and Medical Team Operations
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.
No. Pos.NationPlayer
Competitions
Challenge Cup
Group stage
West Division standings
Regular season
Matches
Regular season standings
Results summary
Results by matchday
Statistical leaders
Top scorers Rank Nat. Player Goals 1 4 2 3 3 2 4 — 9 players 1
Top assists Rank Nat. Player Assists 1 2 5 1
Shutouts Rank Nat. Player Clean sheets 1 3 2 1
Awards
NWSL weekly awards
Player of the Week
Week Nat. Player Won Ref. 5 Won
Save of the Week
Week Nat. Player Won Ref. 5 Won 7 Nom. 8 Nom. 10 Nom. 14 Nom. 16 Nom. 20 Nom. 22 Nom.
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.
Round Pick Player College Status Ref. 1 4 DF Stanford Signed to three-year contract 2 15 MF Wisconsin Signed to three-year contract 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 36 MF Kansas State Not signed or named to preseason roster
Transfers in Date Player Previous club Fee/notes December 22, 2020 FW Lyn Fotball Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. January 28, 2021 MF Bristol City W.F.C. Signed two-year contract; no fee disclosed. March 30, 2021 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. May 10, 2021 FW Olympique Lyonnais Féminin Signed two-year contract. July 22, 2021 FW North Carolina Courage Acquired in exchange for $60,000 in allocation money and Amy Rodriguez. MF GK August 18, 2021 GK Portland Thorns FC Acquired in exchange for $150,000 in allocation money and Abby Smith.
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. September 1, 2021 FW Sevilla FC On loan until June 2022. 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. 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. January 21, 2022 FW S.L. Benfica Transferred for undisclosed terms. January 27, 2022 DF Aston Villa W.F.C. Transferred for undisclosed terms.
References