Tag: KC Current

The Kansas City Current jas announced contract agreements for all four of the players drafted by the club in the 2022 NWSL Draft, Elyse Bennett, Chardonnay Curran, Jenna Winebrenner and Izzy Rodriguez.

“We have been very impressed by what all four of these players have done so far in preseason,” general manager Camille Levin said. “Their maturity and ability to adapt and immediately fit into our system has been important as we look to create our identity.”

Elyse Bennett, forward, No. 23 – Bennett was the team’s first pick at the draft, taken with the seventh overall selection out of Washington State. Looking to make an immediate impact, Bennett has seen time in both of Kansas City’s preseason matches and found the back of the net for the Current in a preseason victory over the Washington Spirit on Feb. 26.

The speedy forward scored 26 goals in her collegiate career, with 12 assists along the way. Her 10 goals in 2021 led the team and propelled her to being named Third Team All Pac-12 in her final collegiate season.

Chardonnay Curran, midfield, No. 14 – Curran was selected 17th overall out of the University of Oregon. She holds the Oregon record for most appearances (92) and starts (84). She is a strong versatile midfielder who accounted for 21 points at Oregon. She scored three goals in 19 matches her senior season and finished her collegiate career with seven goals and seven assists.

Jenna Winebrenner, defense, No. 19 – Selected with the number 41 pick, Winebrenner is a Kansas City, Missouri, native where she starred for Park Hill High School before attending the University of Notre Dame. She started 53 of 55 matches for the Fighting Irish before transferring to Texas Christian University for her final collegiate season.

Izzy Rodriguez, defense, No. 18 – The 43rd selection of the draft played her collegiate career for the Ohio State Buckeyes. While there she earned Big Ten All-Freshman (2017), First Team All-Big Ten (2018, 2021) and the Big Ten Defender of the Year in 2021. From her position on the backline, Rodriguez scored eight goals and added 12 assists during her time at Ohio State.

Bennett and Curran were signed through the 2024 season. Winebrenner and Rodriguez were signed to one year contracts with an option to extend to 2024.

The Kansas City Current will open the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup with a 22-player roster, including the four rookies.

Goalkeepers (2): Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch, Cassie Miller.

Defenders (9): Elizabeth Ball, Kate Del Fava, Taylor Leach, Alex Loera, Hailie Mace, Maddie Nolf, Izzy Rodriguez, Mallory Weber, Jenna Winebrenner.

Midfielders (7): Chardonnay Curran, Kristen Edmonds, Lo’eau LaBonta, Addie McCain, Sam Mewis, Victoria Pickett (INTL), Desiree Scott.

Forwards (4): Elyse Bennett, Kristen Hamilton, Jaycie Johnson, Lynn Williams.

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The KC Current preseason match scheduled today against the University of Nebraska has been canceled because of weather conditions.

The game originally was scheduled for Hibner Stadium in Nebraska.

The Current will next play Racing Louisville at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, in the opening match of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.

The Current will play a home game at 2 p.m. April 2 against Racing Louisville at Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas.

For more information, visit www.kansascitycurrent.com.

The Kansas City Current opened the preseason schedule with a victory and clean sheet as it defeated the Washington Spirit 6-0 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Six different players found the back of the net for the Current, and goalkeepers A.D. Franch and Cassie Miller split time as they shut out the Spirit.

For head coach Matt Potter, Saturday’s match was about continuing to build the team identity, while getting a look at some of the youngest players on the roster.

“To play three rookies in the back four, in their first ever real competitive game…I thought that group stood out well,” Potter said.

Third-year defender Maddie Nolf was the only veteran on the team’s starting back line. Alex Loera and Jenna Winebrenner were the team’s starting center back pairing, with Izzy Rodriguez manning the left back position.

Rodriguez got the scoring started in the 10th minute of the match after fellow rookie Chardonnay Curran won the ball in the midfield and attacked the Spirit goal. Her cross into the box found forward Kristen Hamilton who touched the ball back to Rodriguez for the power strike.

Newly acquired forward Lynn Williams was next on the scoring sheet with her first goal of the preseason in the 21st minute. Williams followed that up in the 29th minute with her first assist of the preseason, crossing the ball from the right side to where midfielder Addie McCain was waiting to bury it home.

Hamilton closed out the half with a score of her own, beating the entire Spirit defense to the ball and curling a shot into the goal.

Thursday, midfielder Victoria Pickett returned to the club after spending time with the Canadian National Team at the Arnold Clark Cup in England. In today’s match, Pickett needed no time to get back into club form as she found herself inserted into the second-half lineup.

While the Spirit tried to build their attack, Pickett jumped the defender and stole the ball. With a clear path to goal, the second-year player chipped her shot over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The scoring was capped off by 2022 First Round Draft Pick Elyse Bennett. After winning the ball on the side, she passed into a running Jaycie Johnson. The resilient Johnson worked her way to the right side of the box, drawing the defense to her before sliding the ball across the box where Bennett only needed to tap it in.

Despite the 6-0 score, Potter was most impressed with his team’s defense. The Spirit were held to three total shots with none on goal.

“I think, obviously we want to score goals, but more importantly we want to be known as a team that it’s tough to score goals on, and anytime you get a clean sheet you’ve earned that, and that’s what we want to be about,” he said.

The preseason continues March 2 as the Current travel to Exploria Stadium to face the Orlando Pride at 6 p.m. The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off March 18 with the Current on the road to face off against Racing Louisville FC at 6:30 p.m.

Season tickets and flex plans are available for all home matches at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. For pricing and information visit KansasCityCurrent.com.

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