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FC Kansas City Selects Six in NWSL College Draft

January 17, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
FC Kansas City News Release


PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kansas (January 17, 2014) - FC Kansas City made six selections in the 2014 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft this morning. The Blues added quality depth to one of the most talented rosters in the league without having to go too far to find it. Four of the team's selections have ties to the Kansas City area.

"Our goal in Kansas City is to fill our roster with quality players. Today we were able to add players who will make our environment even more competitive," said FC Kansas City Technical Director Huw Williams. "An added goal we feel we can accomplish is adding the right local players who will know and understand the passion of representing our club and city."

With their first pick (5th overall), FC Kansas City chose Kassey Kallman, defender from Florida State. Kallman was a member of the U.S. Women's U20 National Team that won the 2012 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

With two selections in the second round, the team chose Lee's Summit native forward Morgan Marlborough (12th overall) from Santa Clara University and midfielder Jenna Richmond (16th overall) from NCAA National Champion UCLA. Two more picks in the third round resulted in Overland Park native, forward Frances Silva (19th overall) from West Virginia and another Lee's Summit product, Notre Dame midfielder Mandy Laddish (20th overall).

With their final selection in the 2014 NWSL College Draft, the Blues went local again. This time selecting Maegan Kelly (35th overall) from Marquette University. The Kansas City, Missouri native went to high school at St. Teresa Academy and is the sister of current FC Kansas City defender, Katie Kelly.

Kassey Kallman

Height 5-8

Hometown: Woodbury, MN

Birthdate: May 6, 1992

Position: Defender

College: Florida State

Hermann Trophy Semifinalist from Florida State and Honda Award finalist. She was the first player from Florida State to be named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Kallman was an important member of the U-20 US National team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan in 2012. Played all 450 minutes of the qualifying games, leading the squad in minutes. Named captain at Florida State her junior year and continued her senior year. Even from the backline, Kallman had two important game winning goals for Florida State. Led the squad her freshman year in minutes played. A prominent fixture in Florida State's 12 shut outs, the fourth most in school history.

Morgan Marlborough Height: 6-0

Birthdate: December 3, 1990

Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO

Position: Forward

College: Santa Clara/Nebraska

In her time with Santa Clara, Marlborough made a huge impact. She played in all 22 games, made All Team in the WCC. Tallied 36 points with 15 goals her senior year. Marlborough had several game-winning assists and goals for the Broncos helping carry the team to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament this year. Before her time with Santa Clara, Marlborough spent three years with Nebraska. She was named to the Big 12 All Team and named Big 12 Offensive player of the year in 2009 and 2010. In her years with the Huskers, she tallied 96 points over 40 games. Marlborough had 40 points in 2010 alone and had an average of 2.29 points per game, landing her second in the NCAA overall in both categories. She has international experience with the United States U-20 team in 2010 and more recently, the U-23 squad.

Jenna Richmond Height: 5'9"

Birthdate: December 18, 1991

Position: Midfielder

Hometown: Centreville, VA

College: UCLA

In her time with UCLA, Richmond led the Bruins with 7 assists and ranked 3rd in the PAC-12. Tied a school record with 3 assists in the first half against Princeton in 2012. Played in every match her sophomore and junior year. Ranked third on the squad in scoring her freshman season. Richmond was also a member of the U-23 United States National Team and played in the Four Nations Tournament. Started in all the matched for the CONCACAF Championship cup and a prominent member on the U-20 squad that won the World Cup in Japan. She started her international career with the US on the U-15 team in 2007.

Frances Silva

Height: 5'4"

Hometown: Overland Park, KS

Position: Forward

College: West Virginia

Silva, who was a local soccer star led the Mountaineers offensively and was instrumental in winning the Big-12 tournament. Her senior season she had 43 points with 15 goals and 13 assists. Named Soccer America's MVP and named Big-12 Scholar Athlete in 2013. Silva was also named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist and was honored with the Capital-One Academic All-America of the Year. In 2012, Silva started all 20 matches and led the team with 11 goals for the season.

Mandy Laddish

Height: 5'7"

Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO

Position: Midfielder

College: Notre Dame

Helped the Fighting Irish win a National Championship in 2010 and was a member on the U-20 US National Team that won the World Cup in Japan. Played 1,805 minutes for the Irish in 2013 with 2 goals and 5 assists while starting all 22 matches. Started all 25 matches her freshman year, the same season the Irish won the national championship. Has 15 international appearances with the United States

Maegan Kelly

Height: 5'7"

Position: MF/F

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

College: Marquette

Led Marquette her senior year with 28 points with 10 goals and 8 assists. Played an important role in Marquette winning the Big East Tournament in 2013. She is the sister of current FC Kansas City defender, Katie Kelly. Tied Marquette's all-time assist record at 33 in her senior season. Kelly was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team after helping Marquette win the tournament title. She was tied for second in the conference this season.

FC Kansas City is a Women's Professional Soccer Team competing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The "Blues" Inaugural Season saw them set numerous NWSL records and sweep all six individual post-season awards.

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