KC Current’s NWSL roster is taking shape after trade, re-signings: where it stands now

Soccer superstar Temwa Chawinga wasn’t the only player signed (or re-signed) by the Kansas City Current over the past week.

Chawinga’s contract extension through the 2028 season, announced Wednesday, was sandwiched between two other deals bringing three more new players to the National Women’s Soccer League team for the 2025 season.

The Current on Tuesday reached new NWSL contract agreements with free agents Elizabeth Ball and Kristen Hamilton, longtime members of the club. Hamilton’s deal runs through the 2025 season with a mutual option for 2026, and Ball’s keeps her in KC through 2026 (mutual option for 2027).

Hamilton was the Current’s top career goal-scorer until Chawinga’s breakout last year. The latter became the first player in league history to score 20 or more goals in a season.

Hamilton has scored 20 goals of her own since joining the Current via a trade in 2021. She made just four total appearances last season after scoring in the inaugural match at CPKC Stadium.

Ball has been with KC since the team’s inception in 2021. She’s appeared in 69 NWSL matches and has helped lock down the Current’s back line.

“We are very excited to bring Kristen and Elizabeth back for the upcoming season,” Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski said in a club news release. “Both players are very familiar with our philosophy and know what it takes to succeed in the NWSL. Their versatility will allow us to provide depth at key positions in 2025.”

On Thursday, Andonovski was asked what other pieces he hoped to add to the Current’s roster, as two open spots remained. His answer? A tall, physical forward capable of holding up play and winning aerial duels.

A wry grin spread across the coach’s face as he explained in great detail what he wants out of that position — perhaps hinting that something was already in the works. And hours later, sure enough, the club announced a trade.

The Current acquired Haley Hopkins from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Hopkins was a first-round draft pick in 2023, selected 11th overall out of Virginia.

She has scored four goals and recorded two assists in NWSL competition and figures to be the sort of physical, aerial striker Andonovski has sought.

According to FBref, Hopkins ranks in the 97th percentile for passes attempted per 90 minutes and 57th percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes. Her goal-scoring has yet to come around, but she also ranks in the 95th percentile for aerial duels won per 90 minutes.

The Current players and coaches are in Southern California for the first part of preseason training. KC’s 2025 NWSL regular season begins March 15 at CPKC Stadium with a match against the Portland Thorns.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.