FC KANSAS CITY SELECTS FIVE PLAYERS IN THE 2024 NWSL COLLEGE DRAFT
Blues picks five college seniors and trades 19th overall for Washington Spirit’s highest picks in the 2024 College Draft’s second round.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (January 16, 2024) – The reigning National Women’s Soccer League Champions FC Kansas City selected five players and traded their 18th overall pick for Washington Spirit’s two second-round picks next year at the 2024 College Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Forward/midfielder Shea Groom (12th overall), defender Meghan Streight (16th overall), goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland (17th overall), midfielder Jessie Ayers (26th overall) and midfielder Kaysie Clark (35th overall) were selected by head coach Vlatko Andonovski and Director of Soccer Operations Huw Williams.
“You know, we are really pleased with the outcome of this draft, we did exactly what we wanted to do,” Andonovski said. “All five players are amazing and hardworking athletes that excelled in college.”
The 2024 NWSL College Draft presented by Nike took place at the annual NSCAA Convention.
Groom, 21, started all 26 matches in her senior year with the Texas A&M Aggies where she led the SEC and ranked third in the nation with seven game-winning goals and seven assists. The Liberty, Missouri native was also an All-America performer and Academic All-America honoree.
“I am very excited to come back home and play for Vlatko [Andonovski] and Huw [Williams],” Groom said. “I am also really grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to begin my professional career.”
Streight, 22, also from the Texas A&M Aggies, started in every game during her senior year where she recorded seven points on the season with two goals and three assists. The McKinney, Texas native was an All-America performer and Scholar All-America honoree as well as a three-time All-SEC First Team player.
“This was a total surprise, I am thrilled to be playing in Kansas City and reunite with Shea [Groom],” Streight said. “I am so humbled and can’t wait to get to work.”
Rowland, 20, was the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Under-20 National Team at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and CONCACAF Championship where she won the Golden Glove totaling four shutouts in each of her starts in the tournaments.
In 2024, the Vacaville, California native, set NCAA records for career shutouts (55) and single-season shutouts (19) along with setting a new UCLA record for goals against average with a GAA of 0.245.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it, it is a dream come true,” Rowland said. “FC Kansas City had a great season last year and I just want to get started already.”
Ayers, 21, was named Midfielder of the Year and Freshman of the Year by Conference USA at Colorado College where she earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team during her freshman year.
Clark, 21, has earned All-SEC First Team (2013), NSCAA All-South Region Second Team (2013) and Big 12 All-Newcomer Team (2011) honors for the University of Missouri Tigers throughout her collegiate career. The Liberty, Missouri native, started and played all 19 games where she scored three goals and recorded eleven assists during her senior year.
“This is just amazing, I was really shocked when I heard the great news,” Clark said. “I am really excited to be playing at home and with some of the top players in the world.”
FC Kansas City will kick off the team and league’s third season on the weekend of April 9-11 against Sky Blue FC, date and time are still to be determined.
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