Kansas City Current acquires midfielder Rocky Rodriguez

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