KC Current’s Lo LaBonta earns long-awaited call-up to U.S. Women’s National Team
As the national anthem played ahead of the KC Current’s match against the Orlando Pride last Friday, Lo LaBonta momentarily closed her eyes.
The song resonated deeper that day.
Hours before the match, LaBonta received a phone call she’d dreamed of her whole life. It came from U.S. Women’s National Team manager Emma Hayes, informing LaBonta she was being called up to the national team squad.
“I didn’t tell anyone because I really wanted to focus on that game,” LaBonta said. “I feel great. I feel like some youth was injected into me.”
If LaBonta, 32, appears in either of the U.S. Women’s National Team upcoming games, she will be the oldest USWNT debutant.
Those matches are scheduled for May 31 in St. Paul, Minnesota, against China, and June 3 against Jamaica in St. Louis.
On Tuesday, Hayes explained that she wanted to add veteran leadership to the very young USWNT squad.
“She’s deserving of the call-up,” Hayes said “She’s been consistent in everything that she has done.”
LaBonta is a 10-year veteran of the NWSL and has never appeared with any national team at the youth or senior level. In an ironic twist, the team that drafted her, Sky Blue FC (now Gotham) cut her to make room on the roster for players returning from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Of course, times have changed. The Current captain is the perfect emulation of the city and leads the team with her voice and play on the field.
“Her career could have gone in two different directions,” Current coach Vlatko Andonovski said, recalling LaBonta being cut from Sky Blue FC.
Andonovski brought her to FC Kansas City, and the rest is history.
“The path she chose was to fight,” Andonovski continued. “She fought through a lot of things and never gave up, to the point where she gets called up now for the national team — and deservedly so.”
LaBonta has made the end-of-year NWSL Best XI twice now. She was also nominated for Midfielder of the Year last season. Her consistent presence has made a large difference in the fortunes of the Kansas City Current.
“She’s played every minute of every game. She’s very durable,” Andonovski said. “On top of that, she’s a very good leader in the organization.”
LaBonta will join teammates Michelle Cooper and Claire Hutton with the USWNT. LaBonta joked they better pay her extra for “babysitting.”
More KC Current international call-ups
The trio won’t be the only Current players on international duty next weekend. Nichelle Prince will join Canada, and Lorena will join Brazil.
Debinha was initially called into the Brazil squad for the first time since last spring. However, the injury she sustained against Orlando Pride last Friday will keep her out until the end of the summer.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.