KATRINA GORRY AND RAFAELLE SOUZA TO STAY WITH THEIR NATIONAL TEAMS THIS SEASON

Nikki Phillips and Jenna Richmond take sabbatical, Sara Keane retires

 PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Ks. (March 11, 2024) – As the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League preseason kicked off this week, FC Kansas City has announced that four players who helped the Blues win the championship last year, will not be a part of this year’s roster. In addition, goalkeeper Sara Keane has retired from professional soccer.

Australian midfielder Katrina Gorry, who played a total of 376 minutes in nine games and scored one goal last year, will stay with The Matildas during the first semester of the year and throughout the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be played in Canada this summer.

In addition to Gorry, defender Rafaelle Souza, who was acquired from the Houston Dash, will remain in Brazil for the same reasons.

“Katrina [Gorry] and Rafaelle [Souza] have proven to be players that can compete at the highest level,” Director of Soccer Operations Huw Williams said. “We want to wish them the best of luck as they prepare for the World Cup.”

After playing a total of 1754 minutes in 22 matches, scoring one goal and recording four assists last season, midfielder Jenna Richmond will take a sabbatical year but will return next season.

“First of all, Jenna [Richmond] is not retiring, she still has a lot to offer on the field,” Williams shared. “Jenna will be getting married this year and has decided to take a break from soccer but she will return to Kansas City next season.”

Similarly, defender Nikki Phillips, who appeared in all 23 games playing a total of 1970 minutes and scoring one goal last season, will be away from soccer this year.

“We are really happy for Nikki [Phillips] as she will soon begin to build a family,” Williams said. “We’ve known about her situation for quite a while and wish her, her husband and her baby the best of luck.”

FC Kansas City will play their first preseason game when they visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers this Sunday. Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now, call 855.4KC.GOAL for more information.