Alex Pfieffer poses for a media day photo. PHOTO COURTESY OF KANSAS CITY CURRENT
Katelyn Auty
Head Copy Editor
Social Media Editor
The Kansas City Current opened their new stadium on March 16, which is said to be the first of its kind purpose-built for a professional women’s team. The Current was founded in 2021 as an expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
The Current took down the Portland Thorns 5-4 in a sold-out back-and-forth match in front of 11,500 fans.
Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo scored the first goal in the new stadium.
“I think what this club is doing and setting the standard, and building this stadium, and people showing up and supporting it, and just women’s soccer growing in general, I think it’s just super special,” DiBernardo said. “Where we started with this league and where we are now, it just shows the growth and how much players have put into it and really pushed the standard, and how much we’ve kind of really had to fight for ourselves. And it’s just the start.”
At just 16 years old, Alex Pfieffer became the youngest player to score in NSWL regular season history. Pfieffer’s goals turned out to be the game-winner.
Kansas City Current took to X, formerly Twitter, to congratulate Pfieffer on her goal, saying:
“The stuff dreams are made of.
16-year-old @AlexPfeiff17 became the youngest goal-scorer in @NWSL regular season history.
Her first goal with KC Current, a game-winner in her pro debut.
At the first stadium purpose-built for a women’s sports team.
Iconic.”
The match was also the first streamed on ABC as part of a new deal with the NWSL. Future NWSL games can be seen on ESPN and ABC throughout the 2024 season.
The Kansas City Current will be back in their home stadium on March 30 for their matchup against Angel City Football Club.
“This is the beginning of the change,” said Head Coach Vlatko Andonovoski. “This is going to forever change women’s soccer.”