FC Kansas City signs Krzysik and possible trade

A source close to Nikki Krzysik has confirmed that she has signed a contract with FC Kansas City. The Blues acquired the rights to Krzysik from the Seattle Reign as part of the Renae Cuellar trade last season. It is unclear when the deal will be announced or how long it will take to go through league approvals.

Krzysik was drafted by Seattle last season but sat the year out for personal reasons. She will give FC Kansas City some options on the back line and in possible trades. Krzysik is a natural center back and was paired with Becky Sauerbrunn at the University of Virginia. Krzysik has also played with Jen Buczkowski, Leigh Ann Robinson and Sinead Farrely as well.

While Krzysik played in the U.S. youth system, she was recently capped with the Polish national team.

Acquiring Krzysik will allow FC Kansas City to move Lauren Sesselman to her normal position at outside back where she plays for Canada. This would provide options across the back line for FC Kansas City's coaches with playing time or open up Kristie Mewis and Leigh Ann Robinson for possible trades.

Possible trades

There has been talk of a possible trade in the works involving FC Kansas City but no details have surfaced yet. With the addition of Krzysik, forward is the most needed position for the Blues. It is no secret that FC Kansas City was not always pleased with their play up top. Initially Renae Cuellar was the lone forward in coach Vlatko Andonovski's 4-2-3-1 but was too direct and did not hold up play for the her team mates. Melissa Henderson filled the role well, holding play up and getting her team mates involved but went scoreless herself until the playoffs.

Robinson was a NWSL Best XI and a runner-up in the defender of the year voting and was recently called up to the National Team so she has definite trade value. Mewis is a young talented player with tremendous potential who has been cementing her place on the U.S. roster so she has definite trade value.

Mewis is from Boston so the Breakers would be a likely option as a trade partner. English attacker Lianne Sanderson would be a good option. American striker Sydney Leroux would be a dream come true for FC Kansas City but the cost would certainly be higher than Mewis or Robinson.

Seattle and FC Kansas City seem to have a good relationship but they lacked a solid forward last year so unless they are willing to give up Hope Solo or Amy Rodriguez they may not be the trade partner.

Any straight player trade for one of those two would have to be a national team caliber player no matter which team they come from.