Kansas City returns to the National Women’s Soccer League, opening against Portland Thorns FC at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Head coach Huw Williams has assembled a roster that boasts 19 players who moved from Utah in the offseason, including seven who originally came from FC Kansas City in 2017.
Leading the charge for the NWSL’s newest side is team captain Amy Rodriguez. A long-time veteran of the NWSL, Rodriguez was a member of FC Kansas City’s two championship rosters in 2014 and 2015. In addition to providing a scoring threat, Williams will be looking to Rodriguez to help instill the championship culture he wants to put in place.
Rookie Victoria Pickett is another player to watch in Friday’s opening match. Drafted in the second round from the University of Wisconsin, the young Canadian has been impressive throughout preseason.
“We have been impressed with Victoria since before draft, obviously,” Williams said. “She has come into camp with an open mindset and done everything we have asked her to do. She has the tools to be a great player in this league.”
Williams has preached an attacking mentality throughout the preseason, a tough task against their opening night opponent, the Portland Thorns. Although they will be without U.S. Women’s National Team Captain Becky Sauerbrunn, the Thorns defense will still be a strong force for the NWSL Fall Series champions.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+, the home of all four of Kansas City NWSL’s games during the round-robin portion of the tournament. The team will make its home debut at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 26.