KC Current
Current make two blockbuster moves
Bethune in… Hutton out…
The Kansas City Current shocked fans on Wednesday with two moves. A pair of young United States National Team stars were on the move. The Current sent Claire Hutton to Bay FC for $1.1 million in intra-league transfer funds. The Current acquired midfielder Croix Bethune for Bethune $900,000 in intra-league
Bethune was the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft (the last NWSL Draft). Bethune’s new teammate Ally Sentnor, was first overall in that draft. Bethune’s rookie season made a statement on her way to earning the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Midfielder of the Year and Rookie of the Year. She scored 5 goals and added 10 assists. She would have likely had more, but she tore her meniscus throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.
Bethune’s contract with Kansas City runs through the 2027 season.
“We are excited to welcome Croix to Kansas City,” said KC Current co-owners Angie and Chris Long via press release. “The Kansas City Current is the preeminent example of a club attracting, investing in and developing elite young talent like Croix. Croix is a remarkable player who brings such an infectious joy to the sport, thrives in big moments and creates opportunities for herself and for her teammates. She shares the same championship-winning mindset that is paramount at the Current, making her a perfect fit for our club.”
“I am incredibly grateful and excited to officially join the Kansas City Current family,” said Bethune. “It is an honor to represent a club that exemplifies relentless energy, togetherness and a world-class commitment to elevating women’s sports. It’s Teal Time, KC BABY!”
Hutton out
In what seems to be a trend for the Current, another young star leaves the club to land at Bay FC. Claire Hutton appears to have been looking for a new home and settled at Bay FC. Hutton told The Athletic, “Throughout the process, I did consider going overseas.” Go read a great interview with Hutton.
Bay FC not only receives a player who was the backbone of a league-leading and Shield-winning defense, but also the youngest player to wear the armband for the U.S. Women’s National Team. She was barely 20-years-old when she earned that honor a couple of weeks ago in a friendly. Hutton wore the captain’s armband during the USWNT’s 6-0 win over Paraguay.
Hutton seems poised to take over the national team holding midfielder role for Emma Hayes. An incredible achievement for a player who could, and might still play in U23 tournaments.
“Claire is an important signing for us. She’s a top-quality player who is tight on the ball, and she has the mobility and physical presence to break up play,” said Bay FC Head Coach Emma Coates via press release. “Despite her age, she brings experience and a strong mentality, and we believe she has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world. The most exciting part for us is her desire to keep getting better, and we’re excited to support her through the next stages of her career and even more excited to see the impact she will have at Bay FC.”
“Bay FC is a club with real ambition, and that is a big part of why this move feels right for me,” said Hutton. “It’s clear from Coach Coates how detailed her vision is and how much she values challenging players to keep improving. The standards she wants to set and the environment the club is building really resonated with me, and I’m excited to join a group that pushes each other every day as we compete at the highest level while winning championships”.
Hutton joins a pair of former Current teammates, forward Alex Pfeiffer and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz. Silkowitz left Kansas City and earned not only a starting spot but also USWNT callups. Pfieffer and the Current “agreed to mutually terminate her contract as she explores other playing opportunities,” after the 2025 season.
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Does this imply Hutton wanted out? Or did they find her a place after spending so much on Bethune? We’ll never know, but why? They released the Bethune news first and that was really exciting. Then came the hammer.
I won’t post more than a snippet of the Athletic article; they did get the interview. But it seems like she has talked with multiple coaches and gm’s before deciding on Bay. I do not think they decided Bethune in and couldn’t keep Hutton. They could have for at least this year.
Man, this one really bums me out. Bethune is obviously a super exciting signing, but Hutton just felt so important to this midfield. I love seeing young players develop in KC and then watch them represent us on the national team. It will still be exciting to see her play with them, but it will feel different knowing she’s not with us anymore. But, if she was looking for another place, good on her for finding a spot that’s going to continue elevating her game. Just wish it could’ve been with us.
Agree with this totally. And the way they announced it was brutal, with the Bethune signing first -woohoo – then the Hutton transfer – WTF!
Does this mean DiBernardo is a go from the jump? That doesn’t seem likely and they seem a little thin in the mid now.
I liked them getting young, promising talent at all levels from the college ranks and I understood Mace leaving (playing with her partner now I believe and Wheeler was already waiting in the wings) and Bia wanting to go home. But the Pfeiffer thing was a mess and Prince seemed to leave them pretty thin up top (especially if Cooper and Chawinga aren’t ready to go game 1). Plus the Armas hiring was blah. Hutton was becoming my favorite player.
tl;dr – I’m bummed.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Bethune is fantastic. I just feel like we have several attacking mids already. Hutton was THE player I wanted to build our team around for years to come. Obviously, both players have similar value but Hutton is younger, and plays a position of more need, and has little injury history (Bethune has several major injuries). I really wonder what went down to piss Pfieffer and Hutton off. Both were key pieces to build a team around that wanted out after Shield dominant season. Something ain’t right, and it feels like the Current are on the road to mediocrity.
Why does KC not value young defensive mid stars? First Loera and now Hutton. I don’t understand.
I think the Loera and Hutton issues are different, but I could be wrong. I was initially bummed when Loera left but the more I heard, the more it made sense. So far, trading Hutton does not make sense.
A surprising coach hire. Pfeiffer and then Hutton leaving is a very poor offseason.