KANSAS CITY, Mo. — By 2021, Kansas City will once again be home to professional women’s soccer.
The National Women’s Soccer League announced Monday Kansas City has been awarded an expansion team that will start play in 2021.
The team will be co-owned by Angie and Chris Long. Other members of the ownership group include Jen Gulvik, who will serve as team president, and Brittany Matthews.
“Chris and I could not be more ecstatic to welcome a team back to Kansas City, especially as the league has been transformed by innovative leadership and explosive growth. We are committed to getting this right – for our team and our town,” Angie Long said in a release. “We can’t wait for the players and the country to see what we have long known: there’s something special about living in Kansas City and something even more special about playing here.”
Matthews, who is engaged to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, hopes to use her background in fitness and soccer experience as a member of the group.
“As a former collegiate and professional soccer player, I have a true level of appreciation for what these incredible women do on a daily basis. I am honored to be part of an amazing ownership group that is passionate about the game and eager to welcome a NWSL team back to Kansas City,” Matthews said. “We have the greatest fans and community here in KC and I can’t wait to huddle around this team – we want more championship parades in the very near future.”
The team will assume all player rights, draft picks and some other assets as part of the winding down of operations by the Utah Royals FC.
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