KC NWSL to build new training facility in Riverside

KC NWSL has announced plans for a new $15 million training facility in Riverside, Missouri. (Submitted drawing)

Kansas City NWSL unveiled plans today for the team’s new $15 million training facility in Riverside, Missouri.

The women’s soccer team plays its games at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

The training facility, exclusively privately funded by team owners, will be located just off I-635 and Horizons Parkway and is part of the team’s aspiration to set the standard for the future of professional sports, according to the announcement.

The complex will include two grass pitches and more than 17,000 square feet. Meticulously designed, the layout includes comprehensive team training features such as a locker room, weight and cardio rooms, and multiple outdoor and gathering spaces. The complex will house the team’s front office activities and includes spacious areas focused on nutrition and wellness.

With ground broken only nine months after Kansas City was awarded the club, the team’s new facility will also create iconic outward-facing moments and visuals.

“The training facility gives a tangible sign of the three driving forces for our club: our players, our community and our passion to create the future of women’s sports,” said co-founder and co-owner Angie Long, “Our team will spend more time together here than anywhere so it’s thrilling for us to bring it to life so quickly.”

In choosing the location for the facility, co-founder and co-owner Chris Long noted that it was important to connect to the history, attitudes and attributes that have shaped the metro.

“This location is a perfect representation of both the history of the area and our bright future. Riverside sits on the very river that formed and shaped Kansas City with incredible views of downtown. We are grateful to Mayor Kathy Rose, the Board of Aldermen, and the entire city staff; from moment one, they have shared our vision for an even brighter tomorrow, and an appreciation for the way our team can connect the broader KC community.”

“As our community began to envision how Horizons could look, the idea of an active, inviting, and engaging development serving people from around the region became our goal. We’ve had many successes over the past ten years, but this is certainly a crowning achievement,” said Rose. “These owners, this team, and this project will be a wonderful addition to Riverside. I am so excited to work with Angie, Brittany, and Chris to help their team be a great success and model for young women everywhere.”

KC NWSL has Generator Studio and Monarch Build as its primary design and construction partners for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2022.

The team is in its first season of play, led by owners Angie and Chris Long and Brittany Matthews, and will be in action next on Sept. 26 at the Washington Spirit before returning home to take on the Houston Dash on Oct. 2 at Legends Field. Tickets are available at KCWoSo.com.

KC NWSL scoreless stalemate versus Courage

Forward Kristen Hamilton lunged for a ball along the endline in the Kansas City NWSL 0-0 draw versus the North Carolina Courage Sunday evening at Legends Field. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Kansas City NWSL played the North Carolina Courage to a scoreless draw Sunday evening at Legends Field. The game earned the club its third consecutive home match without a loss, and another scarce point in the league standings.

The clean sheet was a marked defensive improvement from the 4-0 away loss suffered to the Courage at the last meeting on Aug. 21 in North Carolina.

Kansas City goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made a diving save on an 18th minute shot from Jessica McDonald that could have changed the outcome. Franch made 5 saves in the match.

Kansas City’s best opportunity came in the 65th minute, but Hailie Mace’s wide-open shot cleared the crossbar. Kansas City pressed forward consistently throughout, earning 9 corner kicks. The Courage defense successfully parried the 21 crosses that formed a large part of the KC attack.

Kansas City will have a three-week break and will resume play with an away game against the Washington Spirit on Sept. 26. KC’s next home match will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 2  against the Houston Dash.

Forward Jéssica Silva made a sharp reverse on Courage defender Merritt Mathias to get some open space. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Kristen Hamilton and Courage midfielder Cari Roccaro fought for a ball near the North Carolina goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Rachel Corsie headed the ball off a corner kick. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Victoria Pickett won a header over Courage defender Merritt Mathias. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Midfielder Hailie Mace took a shot in the second half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Kiki Pickett took a throw in. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Jéssica Silva made a run in toward the North Carolina goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Jéssica Silva contested a ball in the air against Courage defender Merritt Mathias. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

 

The loaded nachos from the Coco Loco food truck were really tasty. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

KC NWSL to take on North Carolina Sunday night in KCK

Kansas City NWSL returns home to Legends Field for a Sunday night matchup against the North Carolina Courage.

This is the third time the two teams face each other and the second time at home for Kansas City. North Carolina holds the overall advantage with a 1-0-1 record, including a 4-0 win in Cary, North Carolina, on Aug. 21.

Kansas City enters the match following a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars on Aug. 28.

Although Kansas City competed the first 30 minutes of the match, the fatigue of playing three games in three cities over eight days appeared to catch up to the team. Chicago found the back of the net three times from a corner, free-kick, and then a cross from the outside wing into the box.

Coming off a 0-0 draw on Aug. 29 against the Washington Spirit, the Courage rank second in the NWSL with an overall record of 8-8-4 and 28 points. Lynn Williams currently leads the Courage with 6 goals, tying her for fourth among NWSL goal leaders.

Adrianna Franch makes her 300th career save

Despite the hard loss in Chicago, Adrianna Franch recorded four saves on the night, becoming only the fifth goalkeeper in NWSL history to reach the 300 save mark. The milestone save came in the 58th minute when she blocked an attempt by Chicago’s Mallory Pugh.

Coach Huw Williams had high praise for Franch after the game and is confident that she will help the team continue to improve.

“AD is clearly a leader and a player that’s going to help us move on and get closer to our final destination,” he said. “The picture that we have for this team needs people like AD to get there.”

Players to watch

Kansas City: Forward Hailie Mace – Acquired from North Carolina on June 26, Mace is a key member of the attack for Kansas City. She played in seven games this season, starting five, and logging a total of 383 minutes.

Mace currently has 16 total shots with eight on goal, and most recently tallied her first assist for Kansas City to Kristen Hamilton in the Aug. 25 win over Racing Louisville.

North Carolina Courage: Forward Lynn Williams – Williams recently returned to North Carolina after helping the United States win a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She continues to be successful, finding the goal in the 12th minute of the match against Kansas City on Aug. 21.

Williams has six goals and two assists this season, with 33 shots and 16 on goal, Williams continues to have success in the final third of the season, and the combination of her and Jessica McDonald as the key points of attack make the Courage a challenging opponent for Kansas City.

Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt will bring fans all the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB. The game will also be broadcast live on Paramount+.

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