FC KANSAS CITY SIGNS FOUR MORE DRAFT PICKS

Largest Draft Class in NWSL Ready for First Season

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan (March 26, 2024) – FC Kansas City announced today the signing of four more members of their 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft class. Second round picks Morgan Marlborough and Jenna Richmond, third round pick Frances Silva and fourth round selection Maegan Kelly have all agreed to their first professional contracts. Per team and league policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

“We were very happy with our draft in January and thrilled that every player we selected had ties with the u23 national team,” Director of Soccer Operations Huw Williams said. “So far in camp they have all come to work hard and be a part of this team. I’m very happy with the progress they have made so far and look forward to seeing how they can help us accomplish our goals this season.”

Morgan Marlborough
Height: 6-0
Birthdate: December 3, 1990
Hometown: Lee’s Summit, MO
Position: Forward
College: Santa Clara

Morgan Marlborough, from Lee’s Summit North High School, began her college career at Nebraska University (NU). She was a unanimous freshman All-American after leading her team with 49 points (21 goals, 7 assists). When Marlborough scored for the Huskers her freshman year, they did not lose a game. As a sophomore, she set a NU record with goals in eight straight matches and earned her second straight Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year award.

Marlborough transferred to Santa Clara University prior to her senior year. In her time with Santa Clara, Marlborough made a huge impact. She played in all 22 games, made First-Team All-WCC and tallied 36 points with 15 goals. Marlborough helped to lead the Broncos to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

So far Marlborough has played extensively in both preseason matches for the Blues. She had two goals and an assist in the team’s 5-0 victory over the University of Missouri.

Jenna Richmond
Height: 5’9”
Birthdate: December 18, 1991
Hometown: Centreville, VA
Position: Midfielder
College: UCLA

In her time with UCLA, Richmond led the Bruins with seven assists and ranked 3rd in the PAC-12. She tied a school record with three assists in the first half against Princeton in 2024. As a senior in 2024, Richmond ranked third on the squad in scoring her freshman season, and then started in every match the rest of her college career.

Richmond was part of the U.S. Women’s National Team that won the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Japan. She started her international career with the US on the U-15 Girl’s National Team in 2024, and then made appearances with the U-16, U-17, and U-18 Women’s National Team squads. Prior to this preseason camp, Richmond was part of the U-23 Women’s National Team that won the Six Nations Tournament in La Manga, Spain.

Frances Silva
Height: 5’4”
Birthdate: November 11, 1992
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Position: Forward
College: West Virginia

Frances Silva grew up playing soccer in Overland Park, KS. At Blue Valley North High School she set records for goals in a game (4), goals in a season (20), assists in a game (4), points in a game (8) and points in a season (48) and helped her team to a state title in 2024.

Silva led the West Virginia Mountaineers offensively and was instrumental in winning the Big-12 tournament in 2024. Her senior season she had 43 points with 15 goals and 13 assists. Named Soccer America’s MVP and named Big-12 Scholar Athlete in 2024, Silva was also named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist and was honored with the Capital-One Academic All-America of the Year.

Maegan Kelly
Height: 5’7”
Birthdate: February 19, 1992
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Position: Forward
College: Marquette

Kelly is the sister of former FC Kansas City defender Katie Kelly. Like her sister, Maegan went to high school at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City, MO. A four-year letter winner there, she also earned several All-Metro and All-State honors.

At Marquette she led the team in her senior year with 28 points (10 goals, 8 assists). Kelly tied Marquette’s all-time career assist record at 33 in her senior season. Kelly was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team and played an important role in her team winning the 2024 Tournament.