Gotham FC training at IMG Academy in February (Photo Provided)
Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta was only sort of joking last month when she said the rest of the National Women’s Soccer League was trying to copy her team’s success.
“Everyone would want to be like us,” she said in jest during a brief respite from the Florida sun.
The thing is, there was some truth to her statement. Kansas City’s heavy investment into all areas of the business includes extensive preseason plans to get players out of the cold Midwest winter and into better weather for preseason in both Florida and California. Last year, the Current went to Florida for preseason and made a run to the NWSL Championship. Team personnel from coaches to players and the front office credited that preseason trip to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, with getting the squad off to a good start during the season.
Other teams noticed, too. NJ/NY Gotham FC general manager Yael Averbuch West spoke with Kansas City general manager Camille Levin about how…
