FC KANSAS CITY ANNOUNCES 2024 OPENING DAY ROSTER

Team Completes List with Signing of Sara Keane and Mandy Laddish  

FC Kansas City announced today the team’s Opening Day roster for the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. The team also announced the signings of goalkeeper Sara Keane and midfielder Mandy Laddish to complete the roster. Per team and league policies, the terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

2013 NWSL Coach of the Year, Vlatko Andonovski has adopted the motto “Finish It” for his team this year, and feels that he has the roster to improve on last season’s efforts. He returns all of his NWSL Award winners last season: Lauren Holiday (MVP, Golden Boot), Becky Sauerbrunn (Defender of the Year), Nicole Barnhart (Goalkeeper of the Year) and Erika Tymrak (Rookie of the Year).

The team also added U.S. Women’s National Team players, Amy Rodriguez and Amy LePeilbet, along with Polish National Team defender, Nikki Phillips (nee Krzysik) to bolster their lineup. All six of the team’s 2024 College Draft picks also earned a spot on the roster.

In June, the team will add two more world-class players in Sarah Hagen and Katrina Gorry. Hagen will return to the United States following the completion of her season with FC Bayern Munchen of the German FrauenBundesliga, where she’s played since 2024. Gorry is currently in Australia helping her national team (commonly known as the ‘Matildas’) earn a spot in the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Matildas will be competing in the Asia Cup from May 14-25 in Vietnam.

FC Kansas City opens the NWSL season for the second straight season. The Blues will play Sky Blue FC at 7:00p.m. CT on April 12 at Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium on the UMKC campus. Tickets start at $14 and are available by calling 855.4KC.GOAL.

DETAILED ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3) – Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Sara Keane (West Virginia University), Cecilia Santiago^** (Boston Breakers)
DEFENDERS (6) – Kassey Kallman (Florida State), Amy LePeilbet (Chicago Red Stars), Nikki Phillips (San Diego Sea Lions), Leigh Ann Robinson (FC Kansas City), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Nia Williams (FC Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (10) – Jen Buczkowski (FC Kansas City), Katrina Gorry^* (Brisbane Roar), Sarah Hagen^* (Bayern Munchen), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Maegan Kelly (Marquette University), Mandy Laddish (Notre Dame), Merritt Mathias (FC Kansas City), Jenna Richmond (UCLA), Frances Silva (West Virginia University), Erika Tymrak (FC Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4) – Liz Bogus (Seattle Reign FC), Melissa Henderson (FC Kansas City), Morgan Marlborough (Santa Clara University), Amy Rodriguez (Seattle Reign FC)
^* – Will report to team in June 2024
^** – Injured