Kansas City NWSL Finalizes Technical Staff For Upcoming Season

KANSAS CITY (Jan. 11, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL announced today it has finalized the technical staff ahead of the team’s inaugural season. In addition, the team has appointed Derek Shoare as associate general manager of the club.

Shoare grew up in Wolverhampton, England and taught school in London for seven years before coming to the United States in 1987. Shoare’s first stop stateside was Norwich, Connecticut where he coached at North American Soccer Camps until 1997. He also served as the women’s soccer head coach for Mitchell Community College from 1990-1993. In 1997 Shoare moved to Kansas City to become the Vice President of Challenger Sports, a position he held until December 2020. Shoare coached KC Dynamo youth teams to the U.S. Youth a National Championship tournament and two semi-finals. From 2015-2020 Shoare also served as a Volunteer Assistant at The University of Kansas for five years, helping them win the Big XII Championship in 2019. 

Head Coach Huw Williams and Shoare have assembled the following staff to guide Kansas City throughout the 2021 season.

Natalia Astrain, Assistant Coach – 
A native of Pamplona, Spain, Astrain is the first woman from her home country to earn the UEFA PRO license. Astrain's career is highlighted by her turn as the boys academy coach and head coach of FC Barcelona Women's 1st Team. She was also the First Team Head Coach for Club Levante Las Planas and Club de Futbol Damm (CF Damm) before joining Atlético de Madrid as an assistant coach. Astrain came to the United States in 2017, and has coached the Development Academies at Rise SC and the Houston Dash. In addition, she was part of the coaching staff for both the U.S. Soccer U17 and U15 teams. 

Goran Karadjov, Assistant Coach – 
Karadjov began his professional playing career in Europe’s Macedonia with current U.S. Women’s National Team and former FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski. He also coached under Andonovski with the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League, as well as for FCKC. Karadjov holds a USSF A license and serves as the Director of Coaching and Elite Clubs National League for KC Athletics Soccer Club.

Lucas Rodriguez, Video Analyst/Assistant Coach – 
Rodriguez, a native of Argentina, moved to the United States as a teenager and played soccer at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Johnson County Community College and MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he earned a degree in Sports Management. He played professionally for five years with Minnesota United FC and Jacksonville Armada FC, and then spent nine years playing for the KC Comets. In 2011, Rodriguez was awarded Rookie of the Year with the KC Comets, the same year the team won the North American Soccer League championship. Rodriguez holds a USSF A License

Alli Lipsher, Goalkeeper Coach – 
A standout goalkeeper at Duke University, Lipsher helped the Blue Devils advance to NCAA Sweet 16 (2004) and Elite 8 (2007) appearances. Following her successful collegiate career, Lipsher played professionally in Australia for Newcastle FC and Sydney FC. She returned to the United States to play with the Boston Breakers and Atlanta Beat of the Women’s Professional Soccer League. Following her playing days, Lipsher has coached at Trinity College, East Carolina University, the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota. 

Kansas City has built the following technical staff to lead the club: 

• Sports Performance Coach Terrence Kennell 
• Athletic Trainer Bailey Torrez 
• Equipment Manager Karly Cebula
• Team Administrator Jessica Buller 
• Medical Director Kirk McCullough, MD 
• Team Doctor Meg Gibson, MD, CAQSM 

Kansas City begins its 2021 season with the NWSL Draft Jan. 13, before opening training camp on Feb. 1, 2021. 

Media Contact:
Jeff Husted

KANSAS CITY (Jan. 11, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL announced today it has finalized the technical staff ahead of the team’s inaugural season. In addition, the team has appointed Derek Shoare as associate general manager of the club.

Shoare grew up in Wolverhampton, England and taught school in London for seven years before coming to the United States in 1987. Shoare’s first stop stateside was Norwich, Connecticut where he coached at North American Soccer Camps until 1997. He also served as the women’s soccer head coach for Mitchell Community College from 1990-1993. In 1997 Shoare moved to Kansas City to become the Vice President of Challenger Sports, a position he held until December 2020. Shoare coached KC Dynamo youth teams to the U.S. Youth a National Championship tournament and two semi-finals. From 2015-2020 Shoare also served as a Volunteer Assistant at The University of Kansas for five years, helping them win the Big XII Championship in 2019. 

Head Coach Huw Williams and Shoare have assembled the following staff to guide Kansas City throughout the 2021 season.

Natalia Astrain, Assistant Coach – 
A native of Pamplona, Spain, Astrain is the first woman from her home country to earn the UEFA PRO license. Astrain's career is highlighted by her turn as the boys academy coach and head coach of FC Barcelona Women's 1st Team. She was also the First Team Head Coach for Club Levante Las Planas and Club de Futbol Damm (CF Damm) before joining Atlético de Madrid as an assistant coach. Astrain came to the United States in 2017, and has coached the Development Academies at Rise SC and the Houston Dash. In addition, she was part of the coaching staff for both the U.S. Soccer U17 and U15 teams. 

Goran Karadjov, Assistant Coach – 
Karadjov began his professional playing career in Europe’s Macedonia with current U.S. Women’s National Team and former FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski. He also coached under Andonovski with the Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League, as well as for FCKC. Karadjov holds a USSF A license and serves as the Director of Coaching and Elite Clubs National League for KC Athletics Soccer Club.

Lucas Rodriguez, Video Analyst/Assistant Coach – 
Rodriguez, a native of Argentina, moved to the United States as a teenager and played soccer at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Johnson County Community College and MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he earned a degree in Sports Management. He played professionally for five years with Minnesota United FC and Jacksonville Armada FC, and then spent nine years playing for the KC Comets. In 2011, Rodriguez was awarded Rookie of the Year with the KC Comets, the same year the team won the North American Soccer League championship. Rodriguez holds a USSF A License

Alli Lipsher, Goalkeeper Coach – 
A standout goalkeeper at Duke University, Lipsher helped the Blue Devils advance to NCAA Sweet 16 (2004) and Elite 8 (2007) appearances. Following her successful collegiate career, Lipsher played professionally in Australia for Newcastle FC and Sydney FC. She returned to the United States to play with the Boston Breakers and Atlanta Beat of the Women’s Professional Soccer League. Following her playing days, Lipsher has coached at Trinity College, East Carolina University, the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota. 

Kansas City has built the following technical staff to lead the club: 

• Sports Performance Coach Terrence Kennell 
• Athletic Trainer Bailey Torrez 
• Equipment Manager Karly Cebula
• Team Administrator Jessica Buller 
• Medical Director Kirk McCullough, MD 
• Team Doctor Meg Gibson, MD, CAQSM 

Kansas City begins its 2021 season with the NWSL Draft Jan. 13, before opening training camp on Feb. 1, 2021. 

Media Contact:
Jeff Husted