KC Current
Kansas City Current acquires midfielder Rocky Rodriguez
Rocky Rodriguez joins the Current
The Kansas City Current continued to build their roster for 2025 when they acquired veteran midfielder Raquel “Rocky” Rodríguez from Angel City FC. The Current sent $100,000 in intra-league transfer funds to Angel City.
“Rocky is a player with great experience who brings even more quality and depth into our midfield group,” said sporting director and head coach Vlatko Andonovski via press release. “Her knowledge of this league and the competition will be beneficial to our team and we’re happy to bring her to Kansas City.”
Rodríguez came into the league with Sky Blue FC and has played for the Portland Thorns prior to moving to Angel City FC in January of 2024. Angel City acquired her for $275,000 in allocation money, making the $100, 000 Kansas City sent seem like a bargain.
During her time with the Portland Thorns, she helped lead them to the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2021 NWSL Shield and the 2022 NWSL Championship. Internationally Rodriguez represents her native land of Costa Rica. She scored Costa Rica’s first-ever World Cup goal in 2015, has appeared in over 100 matches for Costa Rica.\
Depth and Experience
Rodríguez is a nine-year veteran who will provide depth at midfield for Andonovski. The Current head coach stated previously that they needed to add veteran depth with Desi Scott retiring. Factor in Claire Hutton being expected to earn more call-ups to the U.S. Youth National Team and the senior team and the normal threat of injuries, Rodriguez will give Andonovski options at attacking midfield or as a box-to-box mid.
The 31-year-old has battled an injury and has not made as many starts over the last couple of years but will be extremely valuable off the bench. It will be hard to break into a regular starting role for the Current but she will be available for spot starts and to push the midfielders for minutes.
Below is a chart for a comparison of Hutton and Rodriguez. Hutton is young (turning 19 next month) and learning still and will have another veteran to learn from and compete with for time.
FBREF compare Rocky Claire
Kansas City is far from done
The roster is taking shape but more moves are incoming. There is only one goalkeeper on the roster at the moment and they just added her (Laurel Ivory) this week. but the Current have agreed to a deal with Brazilian keeper Lorena. It hasn’t been announced yet but should be soon. With the draft eliminated, expect the Current to bring in another young player or two. The will probably add one more major contributor/difference-maker before the preseason starts in January.
Kansas City Current Roster:
Goalkeepers (1): Laurel Ivory
Defenders (7): Alana Cook, Hailie Mace, Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Kayla Sharples, Regan Steigleder, Ellie Wheeler
Midfielders (7): Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo, Bayley Feist, Claire Hutton, Jereko, Lo’eau LaBonta, Rocky Rodríguez
Forwards (6): Temwa Chawinga, Michelle Cooper, Alex Pfeiffer, Nichelle Prince, Bia Zaneratto, Opeyemi Ajakaye
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I like this signing, to me Rodriguez is someone who could fill in for Labonta. Solid 2 way player, I’ve wondered why Angel City didn’t use her much last year with their midfield woes. Hopefully Vlatko can get the best out of her.
Im assuming that with the announcements this week Ball and Hamilton will resign. I was still hoping to add some youth at every line but I’m not sure what the roster limit is at this point.
Would love to sign Bebar, Graham, Freeman from Duke, Sampio from USC, or Huff from Florida State could contribute for us.
Getting the starting goalie from Brazil would be huge too obviously, and I’ve seen some good stuff from Ivory as well. Seemed a little inconsistent last year but I’m not sure if that’s a fair assessment with how much the Reign struggled last year.
Brazilian signed. Was wondering about your assumption on Ball and Hamilton? Need a 4th Center Back, but I had the feeling Hamilton was probably done here. She didn’t get a lot of time this year, and maybe was hurt for some of it, but that was never real clear.
No insider info, they just seemed to announce who definitely wasn’t coming back (Schult, Franch, ballisager etc) last week. Hamilton and Ball seem to be a package deal and I’m pretty sure we’re making club appearances last week. And they are a part of Pitchside Coffee and local realtors based on Instagram.
I would think they could find more playing time elsewhere but they seem to be a big part of the culture in KC. I hope they can come to a good agreement for all sides.
I wouldn’t mind either. Ball showed a little versatility by playing outside a few times (although I’m not sure she did it well) and Hamilton has a great motor when healthy. She could probably cover as an outside back as well.
I think they will be back, not 100% sure but I think they will. I also get the impression there is as different situation there but I do not want to say more until I can get a bit more info.
So, they are at 21 officially and can have 26 is it? Or do they still have one on loan that counts? So they can sign 4 more at least. Ball, Hamilton and 2 young players (college or otherwise)…
I really feel she can fill any midfield role but the 8/10 better from when I have seen her play.
Want to write an article on who would be good young players to target?
I watched several conference championship games and obviously a few National Tournament games looking for a Jenna Richmond / Mandy Laddish type player. But I feel like Rocky Rodriguez will fill that role now 🤣 I still like anyone in Duke’s midfield (Bebar) and Taylor Huff from Florida State though.
I didn’t watch enough for in depth analysis or to find a diamond in the rough.
More than some of us.
I’m just seeing this, but I had a similar take on Rocky’s position in the midfield. She’s never been a huge goal scorer or great at assists, but you don’t get the nickname Rocky without having a little Destroyer in you. I think she slots into the dual 6’s KC like to run.
I’m excited about this, when the Current lost the 2022 final to Portland I thought Rocky was the Thorns best player in that game and I am excited I get to root for her now. A real gritty 2-way midfield boss that steps up in big games.
Totally agree. Sophia Smith got all the hype that game, but Rocky Rodriguez and Yasmeen Ryan were the standouts to me.