KC Current 2024 Roster Part 1

The Kansas City Current are in the last few days of preseason and are preparing for opening CPKC stadium versus the Portland Thorns on March 16^th. While most of the attention is directed at the first stadium purpose-built for a professional team, the roster and staff have received a massive makeover.

New head coach Vlatko Andonovski as Sporting Director and GM Camille Ashton focused on raising both ends of the roster, creating a higher level of competition across all the lines. With the effort to improve the roster and the challenge of managing two teams entering via the expansion draft, the Current saw several talented fan favorites leave.

The team that steps on the field in the home opener may be very different but there are still many returning players that could be in that historic lineup.

We will take a look at the overall roster in this article and then a more detailed look at each position in the next few articles. The roster below reflects the latest official information.

Goalkeepers (3): 
AD Franch, Hope Hisey (Draft – signed), Jordan Silkowitz

Defenders (10): Elizabeth Ball, Stine Ballisager (INT), Hanna Glas (SEI – INT), Lauren (INT), Hailie Mace, Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Regan Steigleder, Mallory Weber (SEI), Ellie Wheeler (Draft – signed)

Midfielders (8): Sophie Braun, Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo, Bayley Feist, Claire Hutton, Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Lavogez (INT), Desiree Scott (SEI)

Forwards (7): Temwa Chawinga (INT), Michelle Cooper, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer, Nichelle Prince, Alexa Spaanstra, Bia Zaneratto (INT)

Not rostered: Halle Mackiewicz was drafted but is recovering from an injury. She will likely report later this season.

KEY:
Draft – 2024 NWSL Draft pick
INT – International Player
SEI – Ended 2023 season on Season-Ending Injury List

The roster compliance date is Friday, and the roster will probably not change but we will get clarity on who is on SEI (Season-Ending Injury) and who is not. Veteran Canadian International Desiree Scott will probably be removed and on the initial game day roster. Scott played significant minutes in preseason matches and has appeared ready to go after missing all of last season.

The other two players listed as SEI are Hanna Glas and Mallory Weber. The Current have indicated that Glas could be ready in a few weeks, she has been running and participating in some team activities but is not close to game-ready. Weber has been extremely unlucky and twice tore an ACL very early in the season. She is more likely to be ready in the middle of summer.

The Current have enough International slots and if Glas and Weber are left on the SEI list, they have enough roster spots. So no moves would be needed at this time.

Now let’s look at how Kansas City arrived at this roster. The Current traded and waived several players with local ties and connections to the fans. This did not make the Current fanbase happy.

Out of Kansas City

Coaching staff including interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom, goalkeeper coach Lloyd Yaxley and assistant coach Lee Nguyen as well as staff across several departments were released.

Alex Loera – Traded for expansion draft protection and $175,000

Rylan Childers – Waived

Chardonnay Curran – Waived

Addisyn Merrick – Waived

Croix Soto – Waived

Jenna Winebrenner – Waived

Kate Del Fava – Traded with draft pick for expansion draft protection and $75,000

Morgan Gautrat – Traded with $50,000 for International slot

Cece Kizer – Traded with International slot for Nichelle Prince

Cassie Miller – Traded for $70,000 in allocation and $30,000 intra-league transfer fee

Mimmi Larson – Agreed to mutually terminate contract.

The biggest impacts for Kansas City are Loera, Kizer, Miller, and Del Fava. When healthy, Loera had locked down the defensive mid spot and was developing into a playmaker as well. Kizer is a Kansas City native and scored some timely goals. Del Fava was the starting right back the last two seasons. Miller was high-level competition for the starting keeper spot.

New contracts for returning players

Izzy Rodriguez – Through 2025

Gabriel Robinson – Through 2026

Desiree Scott – Through 2024

Mallory Weber – Through 2024

Lo LaBonta – Through 2025

Rodriguez developed into a very good left-back in either a four or five back formation. Bringing her back was important. When the Current re-signed Robinson, it gave them four centerbacks that can all start. Scott is the experienced defensive mid and an inspirational leader in the locker room. LaBonta is quality in the midfield that can play multiple spots and is often the heart of the team on and off the field. Bringing back Weber is a good risk. If she ever regains form and stays healthy she can compete for several spots but primarily the outside back positions.

In to Kansas City

A mostly new coaching staff with head coach and sporting director Vlatko Andonovski, assistant coaches Freya Coombe and Milan Ivanovic, and goalkeeper coach Raki Kmetovski. Lucas Rodriguez is the only returning coach on the first-team staff. Also, many new people in various departments.

Alex Pfeiffer – Through 2026

Clair Hutton – Through 2026

Temwa Chawinga – Through 2025

Bia Zaneratto – Through 2024 (option for 2025)

Bayley Feist – Through 2025

Sophie Braun – Through 2024 (option for 2025)

Regan Steigleder – Through 2024 (option for 2025)

Nichell Prince – via Kizer Trade

Hope Hisey – Through 2024 (option for 2025)

Ellie Wheeler – Through 2024 (option for 2025)

We will cover all of these players in more detail in the next articles but the Current brought in veterans with experience and young players with huge upsides. They brought speed, skill, and depth that will compete for starting spots across the entire field.

Look for the next article coming up soon.