FC Kansas City signs Jaime French to contract for rest of season

FC Kansas City signed reserve Jaime French on Wednesday to a contract that runs through the conclusion of the 2013 season.

French, who has appeared for FC Kansas City as an amateur player this season, will be moved from a reserve to the full-time roster. She will be available for lineup selection for all remaining matches.

“I’m really excited to sign my first contract and have the opportunity to be a part of the team for the last month of the season and the playoffs,” French said. “It’s really gratifying to have all your hard work pay off, and this is an amazing reward.”

After a four-year career at Wheaton College (Ill.), French was one of three players picked from an open tryout in February to join the Blues. She made her professional debut as a late-game substitute in Chicago on June 13.

FC Kansas City has only three regular season games remaining in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League schedule, the first of which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Portland. The game will be broadcast live on the Fox Soccer Channel.

Riding a season-best nine-match unbeaten streak, the Blues, 10-4-5, have moved into first place in the NWSL standings with 35 points, four more than Portland and Sky Blue.

The top four teams will make the postseason, which begins with semifinal matches on Aug. 24.

This story was originally published July 31, 2013 at 4:00 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City signs Jaime French to contract for rest of season."