KC Current
KC Current Sign a Player, Re-Sign a Player and Lose Bia
Another rookie, Amelia White, joins the roster. Plus, a familiar face returns. But Bia and Alex Pfeiffer have found new clubs.
The Kansas City Current had another busy week as they prepare for the 2026 NWSL season. They firmed up two spots on their roster, but also saw some big names sign elsewhere. The final roster is nearly set with a little wiggle room left, perhaps to make a splash addition at center forward.
Amelia White Signs from Penn State
The KC Current added their fifth college signing of the offseason. With no college draft as of last season, Global Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski and General Manager Ryan Dell can have anyone they can convince to come to Kansas City.
Amelia White is the latest to take the plunge, signing a two-year contract through 2027.
The forward played for four seasons at Penn State University. She started 55 of her 88 appearances and logged almost 4,500 minutes. In that time, she put up 11 goals and 14 assists. Her career really took off this last season when she had six goals and four assists. In high school, she scored 52 goals and added 31 assists playing for Homestead High School in Indiana.
“I’m incredibly excited to begin my professional career with the Kansas City Current,” said White. “This is a club with a clear vision, high standards and a competitive culture, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I want to be in. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to make my dreams come true and I’m ready to work, grow and contribute in any way I can to the team’s success!”
The diminutive 5’3, 22-year-old winger should add depth to the KC Current attack. She will also bring youth international experience having played for the United States women’s U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-20 teams.
Clare Gagne Re-Signs
After the departure of goalkeepers Laurel Ivory and Tyler McCamey, the KC Current needed to shore up their goalkeeper depth. They did that with the re-signing of last year’s third string keeper, Clare Gagne. She didn’t get on the field in 2025 after joining the Current ahead of the season from the University of North Carolina.
Her season ended prematurely after a concussion saw her added to the Season Ending Injury (SEI) list. She returns alongside Lorena in the goalkeeper room. The Current also traded for Marisa Jordan from the North Carolina Courage this offseason.
Clare signed a one-year deal through 2026.
Bia Officially Departs
The KC Current had been silent on Bia Zaneratto, who was out of contract after 2025. After the club wished her a happy birthday in December, fans clung to hope that Bia would return. On Wednesday, those hopes were dashed when the club officially announced her departure.
In 2025, she had seven goals and three assists for the Current, but her impact went far beyond that. Her hold up play was key to allowing Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper to fly down the wings.
The team has yet to add an obvious replacement for Bia. Ally Sentnor lines up at center forward for the USWNT at times, so that’s a possibility. The team may also be able to make a big addition with the NWSL’s new controversial High Impact Player rule. Right now, outside of Sentnor, who didn’t play that spot for the Current at all, there is little depth at CF. Nichelle Prince played there at times in 2024. But Alex Pfeiffer is gone, and Mary Long is likely out for the season with a torn ACL.
The only signings to the forward line are unproven college players. The aforementioned Amelia White profiles more on the wing, but Gianna Paul could step in at center forward. That is, if new head coach Chris Armas even wants the KC Current to remain in the 4-3-3 formation. Preseason should tell us a lot.
As for Bia, she has signed back in Brazil with Palmeiras. Before joining them, according to Globo, she had offers from Barcelona, NJ/NY Gotham and the KC Current gave her an option to stay.
Alex Pfeiffer Finds a New Club
The shocking exit of Alex Pfeiffer still hasn’t quite been explained. It’s something fans may be curious about for a while.
What they won’t be curious about is if Pfeiffer could punish the Current in the NWSL. She has in fact stayed in the league and joined Bay FC. Pfeiffer has signed for three years, through 2028. It feels like a move that will certainly come back and bite Kansas City.
Regan Steigleder also officially left, signing for Lexington Sporting Club in the USL Super League.
International Call-Ups
The KC Current continued their impressive runs of international call-ups for the US Women’s National Team. Lo LaBonta, Izzy Rodriguez, Claire Hutton and Ally Sentnor were all brought into camp by Emma Hayes.
The USWNT will play two friendlies during the camp that runs from January 17-27. First, they play Paraguay on the 24th at 4:30 PM CT (TNT, truTV, HBO) and then they will host Chile on January 27th at 9:00 PM CT (TBS, HBO Max).
Michelle Cooper was a surprising omission from the roster after a dominant 2025 internationally. Though, she did often play when Trinity Rodman (who is listed on the roster as unattached), wasn’t available. Kayla Sharples, who got married recently, also didn’t earn a call despite a dominant 2025 NWSL season that saw her placed on the NWSL Best XI.
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Thanks for the update. I’m probably going to come across as negative, but I did expect more from this offseason. Deep down I knew Bia was gone but it hurts more to not have a similar back-up signed. And I’m still pretty floored we let Pfeiffer walk only to sign for another NWSL side with nothing in return. Not sure we will ever get the story there.
Watched a couple Penn State games to watch Amelia White. She is a speedy winger with a good workrate. Her possession and decision making in the final 3rd seem pretty raw. Definitely a depth player. Seems like an odd signing…considering us having more pressing needs in midfield and hold-up forward. Are Cooper / Chawinga not going to be fit for preseason due to injuries?
We have 7 midfielders on our roster currently. Has Fiest resigned and I missed it? I haven’t heard any Dibernardo updates but I’d imagine she is a ways from being ready to play. That leaves 5…with Deb and Sentor being pretty much offensive only. This is where I had hoped we would sign a college box to box type. Much rather would have liked McCormick (Denver) Lagerye (LA) Saurez (LA) or Godfrey (SD) over another depth forward like Paul and White. Unless injuries to Temwa, Cooper, are more serious and Long being out for most of the season.
Still hoping for a BIG signing this week as I believe preseason start relatively soon. The only big name college player I can think of that hasn’t signed yet is Jordyn Dudley forward from Florida State. She is amazing…not sure id say she has the Bia type qualities that we need though. Interested to see if we hear any Macario news this week.
I am very glad Bia is going back to Brazil, since wanting to go home was the reason given at the beginning. If she would have signed somewhere else in the NWSL that would have stung.
I think all the college signings are intriguing, but I don’t think they are instant starters. It would be nice to get an experienced 9 to replace Bia and/or another experienced midfield depth piece. I know Sentnor is talented, but she just hasn’t shown much for the Current, so I don’t know where her best spot is.
That Macario rumor flared up and died down pretty quickly, huh?