Kansas City NWSL acquired Jordyn Listro from Orlando

KC NWSL acquired midfielder Jordyn Listro from the Orlando Pride in exchange for a conditional third-round pick from Kansas City in the 2022 NWSL Draft. If undisclosed conditions are met, the selection could change to a second-round pick in 2022 or 2023. Listro has a green card so she will not require an international slot.

Listro graduated from the University of South Florida in 2017 before going to Spain and playing with UDG Tenerife. She returned to Canada for personal reasons and did not play for a while, eventually showing up in Orlando as a trialist in the spring of 2020 where she earned a contract for the Fall Series. Orlando then signed her prior to the 2021 season but additional signings made the midfield crowded for the Pride.

Kansas City head coach Huw Williams has had an eye on her after assistant Lucas Rodriguez brought her to his attention. He was studying film on the 25-year-old Canadian midfielder as preparation for Kansas City’s preseason schedule.

Williams and staff were able to get several close looks when Listro was called up to Canada for the SheBelieves Cup preparation camp and then stayed to play in a couple matches for the senior team. It was her first call up to the senior team for Canada after having last played at the youth level in 2012.

“Lucas had picked her out in preparation for the preseason game as a player that had impressed him last season. I got to watch her at the SheBelieves Tournament while we were in Florida and liked her. Then she played against us in that friendly game. Lots of energy, hard-working, one of those players you don’t want to play against, never going to give up,” Williams explained.

Orlando had added Meggie Dougherty Howard, Gunny Jónsdóttir, and Erika Tymrak for 2021 in addition to Listro so the Pride wanted to open up some room on the roster. When the price was right, Kansas City made the deal.

When asked where in midfield she might slot in, the 6 or 8 or 10 roles, Williams responded, “All of them. Probably not the creative 10 role though. She will probably be mostly an 8, the box-to-box role for us.”

Listro will have a head start in fitting in with the team after being in camp for the SheBelieve Cup with both Desiree Scott and Victoria Pickett and having played with Kristen Edmonds in Orlando last season.

KC NWSL has one remaining preseason match before opening the 2021 Challenge Cup on April 9 at the Portland Thorns FC.