Get to know the KC Current ahead of Friday’s opener in Louisville: our roster analysis
.JPG "The KC Current spent the offseason bulking up their roster with additions such as Lynn Williams, who has played with the NC Courage and Western New York Flash, as well as the Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory in the women’s Australian A-League.")
The Kansas City Current kick off their 2022 pro-soccer campaign in the NWSL Challenge Cup on Friday at Racing Louisville FC in Kentucky.
The Current will also make road trips to Houston and Chicago before playing their home opener on April 2 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
The 2022 season brings many new faces to the KC club: Just 11 players return from the team that started out as “KC NWSL” here last season before re-branding in October as the Current. But even the newcomers boast ample experience in soccer, whether via the U.S. Women’s National Team or high-level collegiate competition (this season’s roster includes multiple draft picks).
Here is an overview of the KC Current’s 2022 roster:
Adrianna ‘A.D.’ Franch: No. 21, goalkeeper
What to know: This Salina, Kansas native is a two-time NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. She has 10 caps with the USWNT and ranks No. 1 for goals against and No. 2 all-time for shutouts. She returns in 2022 for her first full season with the KC Current after last year’s midseason acquisition from the Portland Thorns.
Cassie Miller: No. 38, goalkeeper
What to Know: Miller burst onto the NWSL scene with the Chicago Red Stars last season, posting seven shutouts in relief of injured starter Alyssa Naeher. Miller and the Red Stars made it all the way to the NWSL championship game before losing to Washington. Miller was acquired by the Current this offseason via trade. She is also a 2009 and 2010 NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick champion.
Elizabeth Ball: No. 7, defender
What to Know: Ball is expected to be one of the two starting center-backs for the Current. She locked down that role during the final stretch of 2021.
Kate Del Fava: No. 8, defender
What to Know: Listed as a defender, Del Fava can also play in the midfield (that was the position she played in college). Another player with some positional versatility.
Taylor Leach: No. 24, defender
What to Know: Has experience abroad after playing in Sweden. Played in college at South Carolina. Should be in the mix at center-back.
Alex Loera: No. 22, defender
What to Know: Starred in college at Santa Clara. A rookie this year after being drafted in 2021, she’s also in the mix to start at center-back. Fell to 36th overall in last year’s draft because she made it clear she was going to play another season in college. Could be a fixture here for a long time to come.
Hailie Mace: No. 4, defender
What to Know: The second-overall draft pick in 2019, Mace played in Sweden before returning to the U.S. in 2020. She will likely feature on the back line this year — her skill-set suits the role of a left or right back.
Maddie Nolf: No. 13, defender
What to Know: As is the case with many women on the Current’s 2022 roster, she can play on the wing or at fullback. Lined up mostly at fullback during the preseason, and that seems to be her preferred spot now. Expect to see a lot of her on the right side of the back line.
Izzy Rodriguez: No. 18, defender
What to Know: One of the members of the 2022 draft class that signed this week. Primarily a left-back, she has a history of producing from the back line (eight goals and 12 assists at Ohio State).
Mallory Weber: No. 20, defender
What to Know: Brings championship experience, and even some U-20 USWNT experience. Played with the Thorns during their 2017 championship season. Despite being a winger for most of her career, transitioned to fullback last season.
Jenna Winebrenner: No. 19, defender
What to Know: A Kansas City native who played at Park Hill High School before heading to Notre Dame, she transferred to TCU for her senior season and was the 41st overall pick in the draft.
Chardonnay Curran: No. 14, midfielder
What to Know: This Ewa Beach, Hawaii native was the 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft. She holds the record for appearances (92) and starts (84) at the University of Oregon.
Kristen Edmonds: No. 3, midfielder
What to Know: The team’s Swiss Army knife, Edmonds can play almost any position: on the wing, centrally in the midfield or along the back line. But she’s listed as a midfielder and that seems to be where coach Matt Potter wants her. Work rate and versatility keep her on the field more often than not.
Lo’eau LaBonta: No. 10, midfielder
What to Know: “Lo” will be a veteran force in the midfield, much like her husband, Roger Espinoza, is for Sporting KC (they tied the knot this offseason). LaBonta is a box-to-box workhorse who contributes to the attack and defense with expert precision.
Addie McCain: No. 28, midfielder
What to Know: This second-year pro out of Texas A&M was an excellent attacking mid in college and will likely occupy that role for the Current again in 2022.
Sam Mewis: No. 15, midfielder
What to Know: Mewis is a fixture with the USWNT when healthy and can be an absolute force in the midfield. She controls the tempo, organizes the team and has an engine that’s second to none. She was a massive acquisition this offseason, signaling the Current’s intent to make noise in the NWSL in 2022.
Victoria Pickett: No. 99, midfielder
What to Know: She was in the mix for rookie of the year in 2021 and should once again be a formidable presence in the midfield. Recently represented Team Canada during the Arnold Clark Cup in England.
Desiree Scott: No. 11, midfielder
What to Know: Won an Olympic gold medal with Canada and has featured on her home country’s World Cup squads in 2011, 2015 and 2019. One of the premier midfielders in the game.
Elyse Bennett: No. 23, forward
What to Know: Selected No. 7 overall out of Washington State University in January’s NWSL Draft, Bennett looked impressive during the preseason. She scored a goal in the Current’s 6-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
Kristen Hamilton: No. 25, forward
What to Know: One of this team’s returners, she’s a three-time NWSL champion who ranks second all-time in the NWSL for hat tricks and fifth all-time for playoff appearances. She and Lynn Williams will form a tough attacking duo up top.
Jaycie Johnson: No. 16, forward
What to Know: Played at Lee’s Summit West High and scored 42 goals for Nebraska in college. Another solid depth piece up top.
Lynn Williams: No. 6, forward
What to Know: Williams, the NWSL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, and Mewis were the Current’s marquee offseason acquisitions. Williams and Hamilton won titles together with the NC Courage. Williams could lead the team, and perhaps even the league, in goals this year.
Coaching staff
Head coach: Matt Potter
Assistant coach: Ella Masar
Assistant coach: Lucas Rodriguez
Goalkeeper coach: Lloy Yaxley
High-performance director: Ben Donachie
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Get to know the KC Current ahead of Friday’s opener in Louisville: our roster analysis."