Two-time defending-champion FC Kansas City begins preseason camp

By Sam McDowell

March 14, 2016 5:52 PM

FC Kansas City's Becky Sauerbrunn (4) clears the ball from in front of the goal as Seattle Reign FC's Sydney Leroux threatens to score during NWSL championship soccer match Aug. 31 in Tukwila, Wash. Kansas City won 2-1. Elaine Thompson AP

The two-time defending National Women's Soccer League champions took the field Monday for the first time in 2016.

FC Kansas City opened its preseason camp Monday at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. The team is returning 12 players from last season, when it won its second straight NWSL title.

U.S. women's national team members Becky Sauerbrunn and Heather O'Reilly are expected to report to camp Wednesday.

The Blues open the regular season against Western New York on April 16 at Children's Mercy Park.

FC Kansas City forwards Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux, also members of the national team, are pregnant and will miss the 2016 season. Leroux and husband Dom Dwyer, who plays for Sporting Kansas City, announced Sunday they are expecting a boy.

Midfielder Lauren Holiday retired after the 2015 season.

Sam McDowell: 816-234-4869, @SamMcDowell11

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Two-time defending-champion FC Kansas City begins preseason camp."

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