Get to know the 2023 Kansas City Current, who open season Saturday vs. Courage in NC

The Kansas City Current begin their quest to return to the championship game of the National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday in Cary, N.C., where they’ll face the North Carolina Courage in a season-opening match at 2 p.m. Central Time.

They’ll return to KC the following weekend for a matinee rematch of the NWSL title game, playing host to the Portland Thorns in their Saturday, April 1 home opener at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

All NWSL matches can be seen on Paramount+, with select games available on CBS and the CBS Sports Network.

Ten new faces have joined the KC Current for 2023. With international stars and a loaded rookie class, the Current boast one of the deepest rosters in the league.

Let’s get acquainted with the 2023 KC Current:

Players

Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch, No. 21: goalkeeper

While Franch didn’t take home any awards this past year, the Salina, Kansas native did return to form as one of the best goalkeepers in the league. She also returned to the USWNT. Her work with KC goalkeepers coach Lloyd Yaxley has helped her get more comfortable with playing the ball out of the back.

Cassie Miller, No. 38: goalkeeper

Miller was called upon a few times during the 2022 season and was solid. She’s easily one of the best backup goalkeepers in the league. With Franch back in the mix with the USWNT and the World Cup looming, expect to see more of Miller in 2023.

Jordan Silkowitz, No. 29: goalkeeper

The Virginia native is the first player drafted into the NWSL in Iowa State history. She’s a more modern goalkeeper who models her game after German men’s star Manuel Neuer. What does that mean? She flies off her line to close down space and is very comfortable with the ball at her feet. She is fifth all-time in saves at Iowa State, with 324.

Elizabeth Ball, No. 7: defender

Better known as E-Ball, she anchored the Current backline in 2022. And she grew immensely as the season went on. While she’s a legitimate 1v1 defender, she also has the athleticism and awareness to mop up plenty of messes.

Kate Del Fava, No. 8: defender

Del Fava had never played as a right-back until 2022, but she made that spot her own after injuries to others. She was the Current’s iron-woman, appearing in all 22 regular-season matches. Her first professional goal came in the 100th minute of the Current’s 2-1 win at Houston during the NWSL playoffs.

Alex Loera, No. 22: defender

Loera should’ve been in the mix for NWSL Rookie of the Year. In her rookie season, she improved as the season went on, becoming a resolute defender on the backline and a major presence in the midfield when necessary. Her progression during year two in the league will be something to watch.

Hailie Mace, No. 4: defender

One of the biggest winners during the Current’s breakout season of ‘22, Mace catapulted herself onto the NWSL’s Best XI and a spot with the USWNT. She has the pace and a cannon for a right foot. She is guaranteed to score a goal or two from a distance while locking down some of the best wingers in the league as KC’s starting left-back.

Hanna Glas, No. 3: defender

The Current swung for the fences this offseason and landed one of the premier wing-backs in women’s soccer. She came from Bayern Munich with a stop at Paris Saint-Germain and has 59 caps with the Swedish National Team.

Gabrielle Robinson, No. 24: defender

The Current’s first second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Robinson was a four-year starter at West Virginia, where she played in 78 games and was her team’s defensive player of the year in 2019.

Izzy Rodriguez, No. 18: defender

An excellent late-game substitute in 2022. Her left-footed service is magnificent and she is a traditional left-back. Look for her to get more playing time in year two.

Addisyn Merrick, No. 26: defender

Came to the Current in a trade from Louisville that helped reshape KC’s 2022 season. The KU grad was a key part of the backline down the stretch and will be looking to elevate her role and playing time in 2023.

Mallory Weber, No. 20: defender

Weber will start the year on the season-ending injury list but won’t actually miss the season. She seemed to have locked down a starting role at right-back before tearing her ACL in last year’s season opener. Her return to full practice is expected in the coming weeks, and she should be in the mix for playing time by the end of April.

Jenna Winebrenner, No. 19: defender

A regular member of the Current’s XI to start her rookie season, she subsequently sustained an injury that sidelined her for about a month. Once healthy again, the Park Hill High grad couldn’t get back into steady rotation because others were playing so well. Now, however, the departure of Kristen Edmonds may have re-opened that door. Fun fact: Winebrenner spent this offseason as an assistant coach with the KC Comets men’s indoor team.

Rylan Childers, No. 6: midfielder

This Grain Valley native was the Current’s final selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft but earned a roster spot during preseason camp. She excelled both at UMKC and KU and played in the FC Kansas City Academy.

Chardonnay Curran, No. 14: midfielder

Entering her second season, a more significant role could be on the horizon. She can play higher up the field and has been excellent in ball retention when coming on as a sub. She recently hinted at an expanded role in 2023.

Debinha, No. 99: midfielder

One of the best players in the world, Debinha was a grand slam acquisition for the Current in free agency. Her flair and presence in games is appointment-worthy stuff, with production to match. While she will head to the World Cup with Brazil, she should be a significant feature for the Current in seasons to come.

Vanessa DiBernardo, No. 16: midfielder

DiBernardo was one of the Current’s first NWSL free-agent signings. The native of Naperville, Illinois, has been with the Chicago Red Stars since 2014. She holds that club’s record for minutes (12,465), games played (155), and assists (22).

Morgan Gautraut, No. 2: midfielder

Gautraut also came to KC from Chicago via free agency. The Georgia native has 88 caps with the USWNT and was a winner in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

Lo’eau LaBonta, No. 10: midfielder

LaBonta has become one of the most entertaining players in the league. From her goal celebrations to fiery general nature and creative flair, she is looking to build on the career year she and the Current enjoyed in 2022. She’ll continue to be an integral part of the midfield.

Claire Lavogez, No. 94: midfielder

Lavogez stunned the league with a brilliant strike last season and overall ability to generate goals. But she tore her ACL during the playoffs and will miss the start of the 2023 season. She’s expected to return this summer.

Sam Mewis, No. 15: midfielder

She’ll start the year on the season-ending injury list and will likely remain there as she continues rehabbing from an offseason knee surgery.

Desiree Scott, No. 11: midfielder

Like Mewis, team captain Scott had offseason knee surgery (albeit a more minor procedure). She’s in the middle of her recovery process but is expected to return in time to appear in the World Cup with her native Canada.

Michelle Cooper, No. 17: forward

The Current sacrificed a known quantity in Lynn Williams to draft Cooper. There is plenty of hype around Cooper, too, as she was the likely No. 1 overall pick until Alyssa Thompson decided to enter the draft. Cooper won the Mac Hermann award after her sophomore year at Duke and had either a goal or assist in more than half her games.

Cece Kizer, No. 5: forward

Kizer returned to her hometown via a midseason trade with Racing Louisville, and her play after that was nothing short of clutch: She scored a career-high seven goals in her 15 appearances with KC.

Mimmi Larsson, No. 9: forward

Larsson is a true number nine. She can finish her chances well, has the pace to get in behind and can face up defenders and dribble right at them. She stands to have a major impact on the Current in 2023.

Kristen Hamilton, No. 25: forward

Hamilton’s off-ball work was a significant factor even when she didn’t score last year. But score she did: After netting five goals during the NWSL Challenge Cup, she tallied seven more in the regular season, tying for the team’s golden boot.

Alexa Spaanstra, No. 77: forward

Spaanstra was KC’s second pick of the first round in this year’s draft. Projected as a top-five prospect, she fell to the Current, who were happy to pick her up. She can play on both wings and central attacking midfielder.

Coaching staff

Head coach: Matt Potter

Assistant coach: Caroline Sjöblom

Assistant coach: Lucas Rodriguez

Goalkeepers coach: Lloyd Yaxley