PLAYER PROFILE: YAEL AVERBUCH, ‘I LOVE LIVING HERE’

Yael has played in Russia and Sweden as well as with Arsenal Ladies last winter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 28, 2024) – Shortly after winning the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship, FC Kansas City announced the acquisition of midfielder Yael Averbuch, a player with an outstanding collegiate and professional career. As the Blues head to the playoffs, she has already become one of the fan favorites.

While on high school, Averbuch already knew what she wanted to do with her life: become a professional soccer player.

“I basically did what everyone tells you not to do when you pick a college,” Averbuch joked. “So I went to UNC (North Carolina) because I felt that that soccer program would get me the best chance at achieving my goals after college but I ended up loving the University.”

As a Tar Heel, she was named National Player of the Year by both Soccer Buzz and Top Drawer Soccer as a sophomore as well as being named to the first-team All-America in both 2024 and 2024. During her time at UNC, Averbuch had the opportunity to play with several current and former U.S. Women’s National Team players including teammate and roommate Heather O’Reilly.

Taken in the first round, fourth overall, Yael was selected by Sky Blue FC in the 2024 WPS College Draft where she played two seasons recording a spectacular goal before helping the Western NY Flash win the championship in the final year of the league.

“[After the league folded] I was stuck thinking what am I going to do. I knew that I wanted to continue playing so I was looking for opportunities to play overseas,” Averbuch said. “I went to play in Russia for a month, which was one of the most horrible experiences I’ve ever had.”

Following the brief stint in Russia with WFC Rossiyanka, she signed with Göteborg FC in the Swedish First Division and scored a total of eight goals including one in Champions League against Fortuna Hjørring of Denmark.

“When I originally came back [to the NWSL] from Sweden I played for the Washington Spirit but every time I saw FCKC play I would think ‘wow this team really plays a great brand of soccer’ so when I got the opportunity to come to Kansas City, I was really excited.” Averbuch said.

When she is not on the field, Yael enjoys writing about the game but she has also started sharing some of her training ideas on her YouTube channel “Y Futbol”.

“As a young player I felt very fortunate that I had really great individual coaches and I thought why not share this with kids out there, especially with today’s technology.” Averbuch said.

This season, Averbuch has played in 17 games recording two magnificent free kick goals.

Catch Yael and FC Kansas City as the Blues head to New Jersey to face Sky Blue FC in the regular season finale next Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. CT.