Get to know the Kansas City Current for 2024 (club has intriguing mix of talent)
The Kansas City Current soccer team is preparing to start the 2024 season on Saturday, opening up brand new CPKC stadium against the Portland Thorns.
This KC team looks very different from the one that took the field in 2023.: Ten of the following 26 players are new to the team this offseason.
KC Current 2024 roster
Adrianna “AD” French - 21 - GK: Going simply by “AD,” the Salina, Kansas native is a two-time NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year and was a member of the 2019 World Cup-winning USWNT squad. She eclipsed 400 career saves last season.
Jordan Silkowitz - 29 - GK: Silkowitz has yet to make an appearance with the first team. She spent most of her rookie season in the background as Cassie Miller and Franch split time at keeper. With Miller off to Gotham, Silkowitz is cemented as the number two; she’s coming off a loan stint with Brisbane Roar in Australia.
Hope Hisey - 30 - GK: Hisey was the Current’s fourth-round draft pick in 2023, easily winning a spot in camp. She spent her collegiate career at Arizona, coached by Becca Moros, a former FC Kansas City player who competed under Vlatko Andonovski in 2015 and 2017.
Ellie Wheeler - 5 - DEF: Second-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Like Hisey, this right-back from Penn State earned her contract during training camp. With Hanna Glas and Mallory Weber starting the 2024 NWSL campaign on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list, Wheeler should get an opportunity early.
Hailie Mace - 4 - DEF: Returning for a third full year, Mace is the ultimate Swiss army knife. Left or right side, back line or forward line, she can do it all. When she can find space and freedom to run on the ball, she makes dangerous things happen and has a cannon of a shot. Mace previously played under Andonovski with the USWNT.
Hanna Glas - 3 - DEF: The Swede is back for a second season but has yet to make an appearance. She missed all of 2023 while rehabbing from an ACL injury and is on the path toward playing at some point this season. She will start on the SEI, but when she’s on the field, she’s an attack-minded right-back.
Regan Steigleder - 2 - DEF: Steigleder signed in the offseason, returning stateside from KIF Örebro in Sweden. She was a four-year starter at Northwestern before turning overseas to jump-start her pro career. She made 25 appearances with Orebro. She can play as either a left or right back.
Izzy Rodriguez - 18 - DEF: There was no sophomore slump for Izzy Rodriguez. The left-back turned 19 appearances and 353 minutes in 2022 into 22 and 1,250 in 2023, recording three goals and two assists. Rodriguez is a good 1v1 defender with speed and an excellent left foot for whipping in crosses or ripping shots to the top corners.
Elizabeth Ball - 7 - DEF: “E-Ball” has been a rock at center-back for the Current. You can draw a straight line between her presence on the field and a net-positive goal differential for the Current.
Stine Ballisager - 12 - DEF: Arriving last summer, Ballisager introduced herself to the league as a fearless, physical center-back with a crunching tackle on Alex Morgan during a 2-1 win in San Diego. The Dane was once named the best female player in her native country.
Gabrielle Robinson - 24 - DEF: A second-round draft pick in 2023, she was thrown into the fire last season due to KC’s injured-riddled back line. Her rookie performance earned her a three-year contract extension this offseason.
Lauren Leal - 78 - DEF: This 21-year-old Brazilian goes by “Lauren” and also plays for the Brazilian National Team. She arrived last summer after the World Cup.
Desiree Scott - 11 - MID: Back for another season, the Current’s longest-tenured player was also a member of the original FCKC. After spending all of 2023 recovering from injury, she’s due back in the early part of the season.
Sophie Braun - 13 - MID: Braun arrived this offseason after a year with Club Leon in Mexico. Born in Beaverton, Oregon, dual nationality enables her to play for Argentina. She’ll be a defensive midfielder in KC.
Claire Hutton - 14 - MID: Originally signed as a U-18 entry player, Hutton, now 18, could be a big part of KC’s plans in her first pro season. Don’t be surprised if she gets minutes early after a strong preseason.
Lo’eau LaBonta - 10 - MID: The heartbeat and soul of the Current. Her work ethic and toughness, combined with flair (and yes, some celebrations that go viral) make her one of the Current’s can’t-miss players.
Vanessa DiBernardo - 16 - MID: DiBernardo joined as a free agent last offseason. A concussion forced her to miss most of 2023, but when healthy she’s a box-to-box midfielder with an attacking mind.
Bayley Feist - 22 - MID: Feist signed on as a free agent this offseason after spending the early portion of her career with the Washington Spirit. She’ll play as a box-to-box midfielder.
Claire Lavogez - 94 - MID: Lavogez was a key figure for the Current in 2022 but missed most of 2023 with a torn ACL. She’s an attacking mid with a nose for the spectacular. Her shot from distance is one to behold.
Debinha - 99 - MID: Debinha is the star of the show when she’s on the field. She’s a threat whenever she picks up the ball and turns toward the goal. The pure attacking midfielder was nominated as a finalist for the best female player in the world in 2023.
Alexa Spaanstra - 77 - FWD: Spaanstra had a quiet rookie campaign until the last month of the season, when she broke out as a winger. She scored multiple goals and provides excellent service into the box.
Alex Pfeiffer - 47 - FWD: The 16-year-old was impressive this preseason. She was one of the top players at the CONCACAF U-17 championship, even shushing opposing fans after scoring to seal a 3-0 victory over Mexico in the final.
Kristen Hamilton - 25 - FWD: ”Hammy” is the leading goalscorer in KC’s current history and will continue to add to that tally this season. A veteran attacker who can play as a striker or out wide, her engine and work ethic off the ball is just as good as her scoring ability on the ball.
Michelle Cooper - 17 - FWD: Cooper was the second overall pick in the 2023 draft and played mostly out of her natural position on the wing last season. She’ll look to make more of an impact in front of the goal in 2024. She brings speed and a powerful shot.
Nichelle Prince - 8 - FWD: Prince was brought over in a trade with the Houston Dash. She’s a winger who can threaten any opposing back line; Andonovski thinks she’ll score more goals in his new system with the Current.
Bia Zaneratto - 9 - FWD: When you can add the starting striker for the Brazilian National team, you do it. An offseason addition, Zaneratto is one of her home nation’s best strikers. In just a few days with the Current, her connection with countrywoman Debinha was evident.
Temwa Chawinga - 6 - FWD: The attacker from Malawi scored more goals than anyone during calendar year 2023 — more than even Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane. With a nose for the goal, incredible pace and athleticism and good dribbling skills, she’ll be one to watch.
Technical staff
General manager: Camille Ashton.
Head coach/sporting director: Vlatko Andonovski.
Assistant coaches: Freya Coombe, Milan Ivanovic, Lucas Rodriguez.
Goalkeepers coach: Ljupčo ‘Raki’ Kmetovski.
