Official: KC Current Trade for USWNT’s Ally Sentnor from Utah Royals

Update 6:16 PM CDT: It’s official. Sentnor to the KC Current for $300,000 in 2025 intraleague transfer funds, $200,000 in 2026 funds and $100,000 in 2027 funds. Sentnor is signed through 2026. Below are quotes from ownership, Andonovski, Carducci and Ally herself.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ally to Kansas City, and we know our passionate fanbase and community will embrace her immediately,” said KC Current co-owners Angie and Chris Long. “From world-class facilities, a top-rate technical staff, and elite player amenities and robust infrastructure, we are incredibly proud of everything the Kansas City Current has built to-date. Attracting game-changing players like Ally is a testament to the environment and how the best players want to play for this club.” 

“Ally is an elite young talent who will immediately make a contribution to our team, and we’re excited to have her in Kansas City,” said general manager Caitlin Carducci. “We know she will fit into the special environment we have cultivated and will help us win championships. We are ecstatic about the future of this team.” 

“Ally is a dynamic player who’s tenacious on both sides of the ball and will be yet another threat on our roster,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “She’s a fun and exciting player to watch. Ally has continued to elevate her game year after year, and we’re eager for her to make her mark in Kansas City. She demonstrates the mentality we’re striving for and will be an excellent culture fit.” 

“I’m super excited to be joining the Kansas City Current!” said Sentnor. “Playing for Kansas City is an incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait to feel the energy, ambition and heart of this club. I’m grateful for the warm welcome. Let’s get to work!” 

Original story below.

It started with a report from The Athletic. Jeff Rueter and Megan Feringa reported that the Kansas City Current were set to acquire USWNT attacker Ally Sentnor in a trade with the Utah Royals. The compensation was unknown. Immediate speculation about what players might go back in return lit up social media spaces.

Then ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf reported the record deal would send no players back in return. Instead, the KC Current would send $600,000 in transfer funds in return for Sentnor. If it’s true, that’s a new league record.

Jeff Rueter went on to confirm Kassouf’s reporting and add that it includes a sell-on percentage and potentially another $100,000 in performance-based incentives that could head to Utah.

Update: can confirm @jeffkassouf.bsky.social’s reporting. Utah receives a guaranteed return of $600,000 while retaining a sell-on percentage. The Royals could also receive another $100,000 if Sentnor reaches agreed-upon performance benchmarks with KC Current. New NWSL record.

— Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter.bsky.social) 2025-08-01T20:23:09.716Z

Who is Ally Sentnor?

Ally Sentnor is a diverse attacking player that can line up at forward or as an attacking midfielder. She’s only 21-years-old and was the first overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft. Perhaps the last college draft in the history of the NWSL.

Before Utah picked her, she spent three seasons at perennial college soccer powerhouses, the University of North Carolina where she racked up 21 goals in 48 games. For the struggling Royals, she’s amassed four goals in a season and a half.

Last summer, she captained the US U-20’s to a bronze medal at the 2024 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the best result for the United States since 2012 (they hold this tourney every other year). She also won US Soccer’s young female player of the year, edging out the KC Current’s Claire Hutton, last year.

In last 2024 she made her senior US Women’s National Team debut under head coach Emma Hayes. In just 12 caps, she’s already scored four times.

Fit with the KC Current

The Kansas City Current are absolutely loaded in the attack. It’s hard to imagine Sentnor displacing any of the Current’s front three in Temwa Chawinga, Bia Zaneratto and Michelle Cooper. She could conceivably be depth for all three of them though and Bia is out of contract after the season.

But Ally can also play in the midfield. Superstar Debinha has been out injured, but according to Vlatko Andonovski, is nearing a return. Vanessa DiBernardo has been has taken most of the minutes with Deb out, but she and her husband announced a new “KC Baby,” is coming.

DiBernardo will miss the rest of the season on maternity leave as she expects her first child.

A NEW KC BABY IN THE FAMILY 🥹🩵

Congratulations to @vdibernardo10 & Andy, we couldn't be happier for you both! pic.twitter.com/X6xraKHQIC

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) July 30, 2025

Where does that leave Sentnor? It seems she may be the 2nd best player at all of the front four positions. It’s such a luxury for a team that is already eight points clear of second place Orlando. With the second half of the season starting tonight, it looks like the Current are somehow making a deep team even deeper and getting a player that could be a star for years to come. What was Utah’s best player, may, at least for now, be a backup in Kansas City.

Who doesn’t want to play in KC? The stadium. The training facilities. More facilities coming?!

The KC Current officially announced their 2,000-seat stadium and new performance center in Riverside, MO. $52 million total investment at the complex. Construction done by the end of the year. #KCBaby #NWSL

— Chad Smith (@chadcsmith.bsky.social) 2025-07-18T18:23:49.311Z

General Manager Caitlin Carducci and Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski can take another bow!