FC Kansas City's Deines retirement leaves defenders in short supply

FC Kansas City found out a few days ago that Kate Deines would not be showing up as planned from her stint with FFC Turbine Potsdam and would be retiring instead.

Deines was acquired from Seattle Reign FC for the rights to Merritt Mathias. The Blues also received Seattle's second round (16^th overall) and third round (26^th overall) in the deal.

"I have been beyond blessed to have gotten the opportunity to play professionally in the NWSL the past two seasons," Deines said via press release. "I have recently been presented with a job opportunity that will jump-start the next phase of my professional life outside of soccer."

When the trade was made Deines said "I am beyond excited to be a part of FC Kansas City. This is a great opportunity for my career and I am looking forward to being a member of such a great team and a first class organization."

FC Kansas City has made a lot of good trades the last couple years but this one appears to be a bust. Not only will Deines not show up but at least one of the draft picks they received has been released from camp already.

Deines retirement leaves an already shorthanded group of defenders even shorter.

Leader and team captain Becky Sauerbrunn will miss much of the season because of the Women's World Cup. This leaves just three defenders on the roster: Becca Moros, Amy LePeilbet and Leigh Ann Robinson. The Blues are offering a contract to Dominique Richardson but have not announced it yet. Second round pick Meghan Lisenby has been released to trial with another team.

The Blues will already be missing Nikki Phillips who is taking the year off to have a baby and defensive mid Jenna Richmond who is taking the year off to get married and other personal business.

There was a report that a couple of the national team players may retire or take the season off as well after the World Cup but as of a couple days ago none of the FC Kansas City players have informed the team of any decision like that.