U.S. Women’s National Team returns to KC next week. So will these familiar faces
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- USWNT returns to Kansas City Oct. 29 and will play New Zealand at CPKC Stadium.
- Four Kansas City Current players earned USWNT call-ups: Cooper, LaBonta, Sentnor, Hutton.
- Several Current players represent other nations; injuries altered some late call-ups.
Next week, the United States Women’s National Team will return to Kansas City for the first time since 2023. And for the first time, it will play at CPKC Stadium.
There will be plenty of recognizable faces on the team, too. Four Kansas City Current players were called into the USWNT by head coach Emma Hayes: Michelle Cooper, Lo’eau LaBonta, Ally Sentnor, and Claire Hutton.
Surprisingly, none of the defenders on the Kansas City Current’s NWSL record-best back line were called in by Hayes. Hailie Mace and Izzy Rodriguez have received call-ups in the past. All of the KC Current defenders are eligible for USWNT play.
Hayes said in a press conference last week that Kayla Sharples was also closely considered, but she instead opted for San Diego Wave defender Kennedy Wesley.
The USWNT will play against New Zealand at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29.
Here is the full US roster coming to KC:
Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
Defenders: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)
Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)
Forwards: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
Washington Spirit and USWNT star Trinity Rodman was initially called up for the squad when it was announced Wednesday, October 15. But she sustained an injury that night in CONCACAF Champions League play that will rule her out.
Other KC Current notes
Those four players with the USWNT are not the only Current players called up to represent their national teams.
Lorena and Bia Zaneratto will represent Brazil. Debinha was called up but will not travel after picking up a knock in the game against Houston.
She is not expected to miss any time for the Current when the NWSL regular season concludes November 2.
Nichelle Prince was called in to represent Canada against Switzerland and the Netherlands during the international window.
Temwa Chawinga was called in to represent Malawi, but the star forward announced via Instagram an adductor injury will keep her out. The adductor injury is what she sustained in the Current’s 1-0 loss in Houston.
NWSL Decision Day
The final match of the Kansas City Current’s 2025 Regular Season finally has a kickoff time. The match against the San Diego Wave will kick off at 2 p.m. on Nov. 2 from CPKC Stadium.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.