The return of top flight women’s soccer to Kansas City, didn’t quite go according to plan in 2021. KC finished rock bottom of the 2021 NWSL standings, under the guidance of Huw Williams; having only won 3 of their 24 regular season games. They’re certainly looking to improve on that finish in 2022.
A Changing Of The Guard
Williams has since moved upstairs, and been replaced by Matt Potter. The likeable Englishman hopes to steer the club in a different direction in 2022. For Potter and the Current, the onus is all about getting things right culturally in the locker room. Before ultimately fostering an environment where players can thrive. This is something that Potter spoke to during one of his most recent media availabilities, from their pre-season training camp in Florida:
“We’re building our identity, which we’ve always talked about, we’ve got to layer in some pieces which we believe will help us for the future. First and foremost the new players have been able to bed themselves in well, just because of the way the returners (returning players) have treated them. So the veteran experience, the leadership, that type of group who have experience in the league and these types of stages have been instrumental in allowing those new players to express themselves in a manner that they’re getting to show (themselves) too.”
📸: Kansas City head coach, Matt Potter
Transfer Business
This is a roster that has seen some significant surgery over the winter. Notable incomings include former Portland Thorns stopper, Adrianna Franch and USWNT pairing Lynn Williams and Sam Mewis. When you consider some of the other names suiting up for Kansas City in 2022, you start to think ‘Damn, when did they get so stacked?’
This is now a squad full of serial winners; Chloe Lagarzo, Desiree Scott, Hailie Mace, Kristen Hamilton… I could go on. Kansas City hasn’t been this exciting since Dorothy clicked her sparkling shoes together. OK, that was a terrible pop culture reference. But, still. You take my point. This club is throwing a very strong-looking roster together. Could we see further additions? Potentially, though Potter is very much focused on the squad he has available to him right now and is more than happy to let the Kansas City front office take care of the recruitment side of things:
“…To be perfectly honest that responsibility, recruitment and bringing value to the team, that responsibility falls on ownership… I think you’re always looking to improve your team, my focus is on the players here, how do I get the most out of them here, how we keep having those conversations, (about) how we think we can improve, and then obviously that dialogue between Camille (Levin, GM), Huw (Williams, Director of Soccer Operations) and myself, (about) what are some of the indications, how we can improve going forward.” Potter told Sporting Her.
Matt Potter Speaks To The Assembled Media
*Full credit to Kansas City Current for this video asset
It certainly seems like Potter is open to the idea of improving his squad. That being said, there’s already plenty for fans to be excited about in terms of who will be suiting up for the Current in 2022. Which is something experienced forward, Kristen Hamilton is on board with. ‘It’s exciting (to be in camp), I think everybody is super excited to get out on the pitch, get started, for us being pretty new, you know? New coach, a lot of new staff…it’s just been good to get the ball rolling and get that foundation set… (the energy) is right up there with the best I’ve been a part of’, Hamilton told the assembled media on Thursday.
Kristen Hamilton Speaks To The Assembled Media
*Full credit to Kansas City Current for this video asset.
There’s a tangible excitement emanating around Kansas City right now, so it’s strange to remember that this was a club that was rock bottom last year. The loss of players such as Rachel Corsie and Jéssica Silva have been offset considerably by the arrival of some of the players previously mentioned. These players are serial winners, who will look to help build a winning culture in the City of Fountains. And when you factor in exciting young talent like Alex Loera, who recently committed her future to the club, and the clubs’ off the field improvements, it’s not difficult to see why there’s such a palpable feeling of optimism permeating the Current camp right now.
There is a storm brewing in Kansas City right now. And whilst this one might not be as exciting to lovers of 1930s cinema and cowardly lions, as it is to Midwestern Soccer fans… There can be no doubting that this season could be infinitely more enjoyable for supporters of a club that is striving towards a brighter future.
Written by Dan Berridge
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