FC KANSAS CITY SELECTS SIX PLAYERS IN SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT
Draft Class Headlined by Tough Veteran Defender and Promising Young Goalkeeper
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS – The NWSL Supplemental Draft was held via conference call this morning, consisting of six rounds. Selecting sixth in each round, FC Kansas City added defender Courtney Jones, goalkeeper Bianca Henninger, forward Merritt Mathias, forward/midfielder Casey Nogueira, midfielder Tina DiMartino, and defender Casey Berrier to their roster.
“I don’t know that I could be much happier with today’s draft,” said Brian Budzinski, Team President. “We went into this draft with a strategy for making our team better and our coaches did a great job with their selections.”
Courtney Jones
Position: Defender
Height: 5’8”
Hometown: Danville, CA
Birthdate: 5/21/1990
The first selection in the NWSL Supplemental Draft for FC Kansas City played collegiately at the University of North Carolina where she won two ACC Regular Season Championships, two ACC Tournament Championships and two NCAA National Championships. She was a four-year starter at forward and one of only 19 to score 30 goals and record 30 assists.
She was drafted by the Boston Breakers in the 2nd round (11th overall) in 2024. Playing forward and defender for the Breakers, she helped them to a semi-finals berth in the 2024 WPSL Elite season.
Bianca Henninger
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5’6”
Hometown: Los Gatos, CA
Birthdate: 10/22/1990
Henninger started all five matches for the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team in the 2024 CONCACAF Championships, allowing just two goals. She was also named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year. At Santa Clara University she was named 2024 1st team All-ACC and 3rd team All-American. In her senior season she started 18 games, appeared in 19 and had a 0.73 goals against average.
Merritt Mathias
Position: Forward
Height: 5’6”
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Birthdate: 7/2/1990
Mathias played with the U.S. U15, U16 and U17 Youth National Teams. She attended the University of North Carolina for her freshman and sophomore seasons, appearing in 39 games. She transferred to Texas A&M in 2024 where she became a standout player for the Aggies. She started in 20 games that season, scoring 9 goals. She earned 2024 Big XII All-Newcomer Team and 1st Team All-Big XII honors. She started her senior season in 2024 on the MAC Herman Trophy Watch List and Preseason all Big XII team. She started in all 24 matches that season scoring 8 goals and recording 11 assists. She once again found a spot on the 1st Team All Big XII squad and also the 2024 All-Big XII Tournament Team.
Matthias played for the New York Fury of the WPSL Elite league last season. In her first game with the team she was involved in four of the team’s five goals. The Fury defeated the New England Mutiny 5-1 and Matthias had three goals and an assist.
Casey Nogueira
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 5’6”
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Birthdate: 2/23/1989
Casey was a star for the University of North Carolina. While there she earned a National Championship, scoring in the semi-final and final games of the national tournament. She earned first team honors for Soccer America MVP, NSCAA All-America, Top Drawer Soccer All-America, Soccer Buzz All-America and All-ACC. She was the 2024 Mary Garber Award Winner for being the top ACC Female Athlete.
She was drafted 8th overall by the LA Sol in 2024, but the team folded she was drafted to the Chicago Red Stars. She signed with Sky Blue FC in 2024 when Chicago announced it would not be returning to the WPS.
Nogueira has been a part of the U.S. National Team Pool since she was called to the U16 National Team. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team that placed 4th at the 2024 U20 World Cup and won silver at the 2024 PanAm Games. She has earned one cap with the senior U.S. Women’s National Team in 2024 when England held the team to a 1-1 draw.
Tina DiMartino
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’2”
Hometown: Massapequa, NY
Birthdate: 11/6/1986
Tina is a U.S. Women’s National Team Pool Player. She has earned five caps, appearing for the U.S. Women at the U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 levels. Collegiately she played for the UCLA Bruins. While there she earned 1st team honors for NSCAA, Adidas All-American, and All-Pac10. In 2024 she was a MAC Hermann Semi-finalist.
In 2024 DiMartino was drafted 3rd overall by FC Gold Pride and started in all 18 games that season. She was traded to the LA Sol following that season, however when that team folded mid-season she was drafted to Saint Louis Athletica. She then moved to Philadelphia Independence when Athletica ceased operations.
Casey Berrier
Position: Defender
Height: 5’10”
Hometown: Chesterfield, MO
Birthdate: 4/5/1988
Berrier was a four-year impact player at the University of Loyola-Chicago from 2024-2009, recording a school record with 92 appearances. In 2024 she was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team. She was 2nd Team All-Horizon League in 2024 and 2024. In 2024 she played with PK-35 in Finland and competed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
