Kansas City Current announce hire of new head coach. He’s got national-team experience
Former U.S. Women’s National Team assistant coach and U-23 head coach Matt Potter has been hired to coach the Kansas City Current.
Potter, a 51-year-old native of England who also has coached the Washington State and University of Oklahoma women’s teams, will begin his new NWSL head-coaching job immediately. The Current open preseason camp on Feb. 1.
Potter succeeds former Current head coach Huw Williams, who in November transitioned to the team’s front office as director of soccer operations.
The Current, who’ve announced plans to construct a new stadium and training facility along the Missouri River near downtown, are looking for improvement on the field after going 3-14-7 in their inaugural season in Kansas City.
Last week, the team introduced Camille Levin as its new general manager.
“As we continue to assemble the best staff in professional soccer,” Current co-owner Angie Long said in a team news release announcing the hire, “Matt is an integral piece as head coach. He has experience working with the best players in the United States and has a fantastic reputation in the global soccer world. We couldn’t be more excited to bring Matt to the Kansas City Current.”
The Current have made a couple of big offseason acquisitions recently, bringing in a pair of star players in Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams. They’ve also recently added players through the NWSL Draft.
“I’m grateful to Angie and Chris Long and Brittany Matthews for the opportunity to take the club forward as its head coach.,” Potter said. “The ambition of the ownership, the quality of the people within the organization and the energy surrounding the Current within the city and fan base are evident.”
Said KC Current co-owner Chris Long: “(Potter’s) competitive nature, love of attacking soccer and positive energy fits perfectly in our culture. He brings to us invaluable technical knowledge and player development skills.”
Potter has spent the last two years as head coach of the USWNT’s U-23 team. He also scouted opponents for the USWNT’s top squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Before that, he’d led Washington State to 88 wins and three NCAA tournament appearances in nine seasons. He later took the top job at OU, where he guided the Sooners to a pair of NCAA tourney appearances.
“There is a clear vision for the Kansas City Current, both on and off the field,” Potter said. “It’s a vision that reflects the city, its people, and sports teams with great sporting traditions built on energizing a community by aiming high and unmatched work ethic.
“These attributes align with my ambition and values. I look forward to the challenge of competing in one of the premier women’s soccer leagues with players that share that philosophy. The Current is truly on the move, and I can’t wait to get started.”
A native of Mere, England, Potter played central midfield for Watford FC before attending the West London College of Brunel University, where he led his team to the National British College title. He holds USSF Pro, USSF Talent Scout, USSF A and United Soccer Coaches Premier licenses.
In other KC Current news Tuesday, forward Darian Jenkins was traded to Orlando in exchange for the Pride’s second-round NWSL Draft selection in 2023 and $75,000 in allocation money.
The Current kick off their 2022 season with the NWSL Challenge Cup in March. They will play their home games at Children’s Mercy Park this coming season while awaiting construction of the NWSL’s first purpose-built stadium, which will be built at Berkley Park with an expected completion date of 2024.
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Kansas City Current announce hire of new head coach. He’s got national-team experience."