The NWSL returned to Kansas City in 2021, an unexpected return after the franchise in Utah ceased operations in December 2020, immediately allowing for the ownership group of Chris and Angie Long and Brittany Matthews to bring back a team to KC. There was a bit of hesitation from NWSL fans about Kansas City having another NWSL team, especially after the previous version, FC Kansas City, ceased operations as well.
This time, however, it would be different as the Long/Matthews ownership group proved that the investment was a long-term commitment, and as the year went by, the club revealed significant plans to make KC a leader in the NWSL.