Blues update: Buczkowski, roster moves and U-23 callups

Buczkowski signs new contract

FC Kansas City made several moves this week but perhaps none as important as signing midfielder Jen Buczkowski to a new contract through the 2015 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season.

While some others on the Blues garnered more attention last season, nobody played as much or as hard as Buczkowski. The unstoppable midfielder played all 1,980 minutes over 22 games for the Blues and was key in the defensive midfield.

Blues trade an international slot

FC Kansas City acquired Western New York's second round draft pick in the 2015 College Draft in exchange for one of three international roster slots from the Blues.

Each team is allowed three international roster slots by the National Women's Soccer League, excluding Canadian and Mexican allocated players. This trade will allow Western New York to add an additional international player to their roster for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Speaking of international slots

Word is that the Blues may use one of their international slots after all. FC Kansas City appears to be closing in on an international player to bolster their roster.

Training Camp Invites
FC Kansas City conducted their Open Tryouts last weekend and they are inviting two of those players into training camp.

Stephanie Thompson -a midfielder from the University of Evansville. She was All Missouri Valley Conference First Team her junior and senior seasons and seven game-winning goals in her collegiate career.

Molly Dreska - a midfielder from the University of Maryland, has called Kansas City home since 2011. During her junior and senior seasons at Maryland, she played in every match and scored eight goals for the Terrapins. Currently she is a Communications Assistant with Sporting Kansas City

Blues waive two
FC Kansas City announced the club has waived Jaime French and Katie Kelly. Reports are that Kelly requested to be released in order to look for more playing time elsewhere.

U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team
The U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team will open its 2014 campaign with a challenging trip to La Manga, Spain, for the Six Nations Tournament running from Feb. 24-March 6. The USA will play three international matches, facing the U-23 sides of Japan (March 1), Sweden (March 3) and Norway (March 5).

Four FC Kansas City players were selected to represent their country in this tournament. 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Erika Tymrak, headlines the midfield. She is joined by FC Kansas City's 2014 draft picks Kassey Kallman, Jenna Richmond and Frances Silva.

In addition to the FC Kansas City players, Shea Groom from Liberty, Mo was called up as well.

U.S. U-23 WNT Roster By Position:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Aubrey Bledsoe (Wake Forest; Cincinnati, Ohio), Abby Smith (Texas; Dallas, Texas)

DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (UCLA; Menlo Park, Calif.), Amanda Frisbie (Seattle Reign FC; McKinney, Texas), Arin Gilliland (Kentucky; Lexington, Ky.), Jaelene Hinkle (Texas Tech; Castle Rock, Colo.), Kassey Kallman (FC Kansas City; Woodbury, Minn.), Emily Sonnett (Virginia; Marietta, Ga.)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Danielle Colaprico (Virginia; Freehold, N.J.), Caprice Dydasco (UCLA; Honolulu, Hawaii), Jenna Richmond (FC Kansas City; Centreville, Va.), Meleana Shim (Portland Thorns FC; Honolulu, Hawaii), Frances Silva (FC Kansas City; Overland Park, Kan.); Erika Tymrak (FC Kansas City; Bradenton, Fla.)

FORWARDS (6): Shea Groom (Texas A&M; Liberty, Mo.), Maya Hayes (Sky Blue FC; West Orange, N.J.), Jennifer Hoy (Chicago Red Stars; Sellersville, Pa.), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash; Draper, Utah), Katie Stengel (Wake Forest; West Melbourne, Fla.), Chioma Ubogagu (Stanford; Coppell, Texas)