FC Kansas City History – Team Origin and Achievements

FC Kansas City was a founding member of the FC Kansas City NWSL, known for its winning tradition and commitment to women’s soccer. The team played a major role in shaping the league’s early years and inspired the creation of the Kansas City NWSL stadium, symbolizing the city’s strong dedication to growing professional women’s soccer.

FC Kansas City

FC Kansas City Origin

Established
2012

City
Kansas City

League History
2013 – 2018 / National Women's Soccer League

Team History
2013 - 2018 / FC Kansas City

Nickname
FC Kansas City – The name “FC Kansas City” reflects a traditional soccer club naming style, where "FC" stands for Football Club, connecting the team to the global soccer community. Unlike many teams with animal or symbolic nicknames, FC Kansas City embraced a straightforward, classic name that emphasized its identity as a professional soccer club representing Kansas City.

This choice highlighted the club’s focus on the sport itself and its commitment to establishing a strong, respected presence in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), while fostering local pride in Kansas City’s growing soccer culture.

Championship
NWSL Championships 2
2015, 2014

Stadium
2013 - 2018 / Swope Soccer Village

Owner
2013 - 2018 / Chris Likens, his two sons, Brad and Greg Likens, and Brian Budzinski

Who is the greatest FC Kansas City?

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

FC Kansas City History

FC Kansas City was founded in 2012 as one of the eight original teams of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The Kansas City NWSL team made its debut in the league’s first season in 2013 and quickly became known for its organized style of play, teamwork, and strong defensive system. With head coach Vlatko Andonovski leading the squad, FC Kansas City developed a winning culture that left a lasting impact on women’s professional soccer.

During their early years, FC Kansas City assembled an impressive roster that included stars from the U.S. Women’s National Team such as Lauren Holiday, Amy Rodriguez, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Nicole Barnhart. These players were crucial to the team’s success, helping the Kansas City NWSL team dominate the league and earn widespread respect for their tactical play and consistency on the field.

The club’s peak came in 2014 and 2015 when FC Kansas City captured back-to-back NWSL Championships, becoming the first team in league history to achieve that milestone. Their 2014 title came after a 2–1 victory over Seattle Reign FC, while the 2015 championship win cemented their place as one of the most successful franchises of the NWSL’s early years. Fans admired the team’s chemistry, strong leadership, and community connection that made the Kansas City NWSL team a local favorite.

The team played its home matches at Shawnee Mission District Stadium before later moving to Swope Soccer Village. These venues became home to passionate Kansas City soccer fans who supported FC Kansas City throughout its five-season journey. Despite their strong performances and loyal fan base, the organization faced off-field management issues that eventually led to the team’s dissolution in late 2017.

Kansas FC Achievements

Even though FC Kansas City no longer competes, its influence remains an essential part of NWSL history. The club’s dedication, professionalism, and championship spirit paved the way for the new Kansas City NWSL team, now known as the Kansas City Current, ensuring that women’s soccer continues to thrive in the region.

Back-to-Back NWSL Champions (2014 & 2015)

One of the greatest accomplishments in FC Kansas City history came with their consecutive NWSL Championship victories. The Kansas City NWSL team showcased dominance across both seasons, combining elite defense with creative attacking play. Players like Amy Rodriguez and Lauren Holiday played decisive roles in both finals, solidifying FC Kansas City’s place among the league’s most successful and influential clubs.

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Retired Number

*Blue is this team’s history