Kansas City Current add two Under 18 players to preseason roster

The Kansas City Current have announced the addition of two U-18 players to the roster for preseason training in Florida. Kansas City area native midfielder Mary Long joins U.S. U-17 National Team goalkeeper Molly Vapensky on the team’s roster.

Long, a Kansas City area-native who recently reclassified to graduate high school early, is a top-ranked midfielder by TopDrawerSoccer. Committed to play for Duke University this fall, Long is a 2021 ECNL National Champion and a 2023 ECNL National Finalist. Her list of accolades include 2023 ECNL All-American and a three-time selection to the ECNL Midwest Conference First Team.

Vapensky started four of the U.S. U-17 National Team’s five games in the recent Concacaf W U-17 Championship, including the 4-0 Championship match victory over Mexico. This was her second Concacaf W championship after capturing the title with the U-15 team in 2022. Originally from Evanston, Ill., Vapensky led her club team to the 2023 U-16 ECNL Championship.

With those two players, the Current preseason roster now sits at 30 players, although seven players are currently representing their countries in international play. Brazilians Debinha, Lauren and Bia Zaneratto, Canadian Nichelle Prince and Argentinian Sophie Braun are playing in the first Concacaf W Gold Cup. Danish defender Stine Ballisager Pedersen is preparing for a friendly against Austria and U.S. midfielder Claire Hutton is with the U-20 National Team for a pair of friendlies against Colombia.

Vapensky and Long both traveled with the team to IMG Academy for training last week. Long played 25 minutes in Sunday’s preseason opening match against Florida State University and provided the assist on Michelle Cooper’s goal in the 80th minute of the match.

The Kansas City Current will play the second preseason match against the Orlando Pride Saturday, February 24 at 12 p.m. CT. This is a closed match, but the team will be publishing updates on Kansas City Current social media channels.

The Current will open the 2024 NWSL Regular Season with the Grand Opening of CPKC Stadium, the first stadium in the world purpose-built for women’s sports, March 16 against the Portland Thorns. Credential applications for that opening match, along with applications for the rest of the season, are now open. The links for all applications can be found on the team’s Media Center website – www.kansascitycurrent.com/media-center.

2024 PRESEASON ROSTER, PRESENTED BY CPKC
Goalkeepers (4):
AD Franch, Hope Hisey (DRAFT), Jordan Silkowitz (LOAN), Molly Vapensky (NRI)

Defenders (10):
Elizabeth Ball, Stine Ballisager (INT), Hanna Glas (SEI - INT), Lauren (INT), Hailie Mace, Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Regan Steigleder, Mallory Weber (SEI - NRI), Ellie Wheeler (DRAFT)

Midfielders (9):
Sophie Braun, Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo, Bayley Feist, Claire Hutton, Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Lavogez (INT), Mary Long (NRI), Desiree Scott (SEI)

Forwards (7):
Temwa Chawinga (INT), Michelle Cooper, Kristen Hamilton, Alex Pfeiffer, Nichelle Prince, Alexa Spaanstra, Bia Zaneratto (INT)

KEY:

Draft - 2024 NWSL Draft pick

INT - International Player

NYR - Not Yet Reported

LOAN - On Loan to Brisbane Roar (Australia)

NRI - Non-rostered Invite

SEI - Ended 2023 season on Season-Ending Injury List