RIVERSIDE, Mo. — The Kansas City Current kick off the 2023 season on the road Saturday against the North Carolina Courage.
Last season's historic turnaround ended with an appearance in the National Women's Soccer League Championship game.
"We know what a championship feels like, the atmosphere and the grind that it takes throughout the whole year," said Cece Kizer, KC Current forward.
Kizer is one of four KC natives on the team along with Addisyn Merrick, Jenna Winebrenner and newly drafted Rylan Childers.
As a Grain Valley graduate, Childers says the start of the new season opens doors for her and her teammates to continue to pave the way for women in sports.
"I grew up in Kansas City, and KC Current wasn't a thing while I was growing up, but now just seeing how much it's grown over the past couple years gets me really excited for what's going to come in the future," Childers said.
Defender Winebrenner says she's grateful for the women before her who left their mark in professional sports. Winebrenner hopes to continue the trend for future generations.
"A lot of women paved the way for us, so to be able to do that for those that come after us, it's just it's a special feeling and like no other," she said.
This season will be the last season the team plays at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.
Come this time next year, the team will be playing inside its new stadium — the first purpose-built stadium for North American women's professional soccer.
"I just like love that we impact the young girls and the young boys who are just so excited to come to games, watch games and want to follow in our footsteps," defender Merrick said.
The Current's home opener is scheduled to take place April 1 against the Portland Horns. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman will be in attendance for the 11:50 a.m. start.
