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Kansas City to see return of professional women’s soccer

With several winning professional sports teams housed in Kansas City, the metro will see the return of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2021. Currently known as the Utah Royals, the club originated in Kansas City before its relocation three years ago.

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 Royals, the NWSL team under the MLS Real Salt Lake organization, first moved moved to Utah from Kansas City three years ago, and are now returning to the city where the club originated.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our league, and I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Kansas City back to the NWSL,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird. “Kansas City is a soccer-rich community, and this fantastic ownership group is ready and able to commit the resources necessary for this club to be a massive success. I’d also like to thank the fans in Utah for their incredible support of the NWSL.”

Co-owners of the team include Angie and Chris Long with Palmer Square Capital. Other members of the ownership group include Jen Gulvik, who will serve as team president, and Brittany Matthews. 

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.