FC Kansas City turns to local talent in NWSL College Draft

Lee’s Summit native Mandy Laddish spent the day at her house watching the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft and waiting for her name to be called.

When the time finally came, it was her hometown team, FC Kansas City, which selected her with the 20th pick. She was one of four Kansas City-area players taken with the Blues’ six draft picks.

“Waiting was tough, but all worth it when I got the call,” Laddish said. “I’m happy to be picked by KC, not just because it’s my hometown, but because they are a great team. I think I will learn a lot and become a better player.”

Laddish was joined by fellow Lee’s Summit native Morgan Marlborough, Frances Silva from Overland Park and Maegan Kelly of Kansas City. The other two selections were Kassey Kallman of Woodbury, Minn., and Jenna Richmond of Centreville, Va.

With the fifth overall pick, FC Kansas City chose Kallman, a defender from Florida State University. She was the first Seminole to win ACC defensive player of the year and was also a member of the U-20 U.S. national team that won the 2012 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan. Laddish and Richmond were also on that team.

In the second round, FC Kansas City added Marlborough, a Lee’s Summit North graduate who played at Santa Clara, and Richmond, a newly-minted national champion from UCLA. Marlborough played three seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Santa Clara, where she started all 22 games and ranked second on the team with 15 goals. Richmond started all 26 games for the Bruins while recording five goals with three assists.

In the final two rounds, it was all local talent with Silva, a forward who played at West Virginia, Laddish, a Notre Dame midfielder, and Kelly, a midfielder and forward from Marquette.

Silva helped lead Blue Valley North to a state championship before heading to West Virginia, where she had 15 goals and 13 assists for the Mountaineers and won Big 12 offensive player of the year honors.

Laddish, who played for Lee’s Summit, helped Notre Dame to a national title her freshman year. She recorded two goals and five assists in 22 matches this season.

Kelly, a St. Teresa’s graduate, led Marquette with 10 goals and eight assists this season, tying the program’s all-time assist record at 33. She joins her sister Katie, who was drafted by FC Kansas City last season.

This story was originally published January 17, 2014 at 7:01 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City turns to local talent in NWSL College Draft."