KC Current give Mace, Del Fava long-term deals after each player’s breakout ’22 season

A host of Kansas City Current players enjoyed breakout seasons during the club’s worst-to-nearly first showing in 2022.

Defenders Hailie Mace and Kate Del Fava had two of the most significant, and each is being rewarded with a multi-year contract extension: The Current announced a three-year extension for Mace on Monday and two-year extension for Del Fava on Tuesday.

Mace called her decision to re-sign with the Current “a no-brainer.”

“This organization is setting the standard for what professional athletes deserve in order to be their best, and that is something I want to be a part of,” she said. “I have grown immensely as a player and person since being here, and I only want to continue to do that, as well as bring home a championship.”

Mace set the tone for her outstanding 2022 season during the NWSL Challenge Cup. Her screamer of a shot in Chicago was an equalizer against the Red Stars and the Current would go on to beat Chicago for their first road win in any competition.

While she struggled in May with an injury and bout of COVID-19, Mace eventually returned to the starting lineup and helped KC embark on a 13-game unbeaten streak.

Her ability to manage the space behind her with her speed while bombing forward and even cutting inside to aid in the attack made her a standout all season long.

She even earned a spot with the U.S. Women’s National Team. She made five appearances for coach Vlatko Andonovski, whose squad is looking forward to next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her first came during a 4-0 September win over Nigeria at Children’s Mercy Park.

Del Fava came on a little later in the season. Her appearances in the NWSL Challenge Cup were limited, but injuries to teammates soon found her playing right wing-back for the first time in her life.

She was so steady that she appeared in every one of the Current’s regular-season and postseason matches. In the playoffs, she tapped home the winning goal late in stoppage time at the Houston Dash for her first career goal.

“What we’ve accomplished over the past two seasons is something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of,” Del Fava said. “I’ve grown so much here in Kansas City as a player and a person.

“Coming off of an NWSL Championship appearance, I’m so excited to be back with this group and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

In other KC Current news, assistant coach Ella Massar late last week announced that she was leaving the club. She joined the Current’s coaching staff when Matt Potter was hired as head coach last offseason.

This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 12:29 PM.