Matt Potter fired from KC Current hours before Houston match

KANSAS CITY MO. (AP) — The Kansas City Current fired coach Matt Potter just hours before its game in Houston on Wednesday for what the NWSL club called “issues around his leadership and employment responsibilities.”

The club did not elaborate, and appointed Caroline Sjöblom the interim coach.

“We watch the play on the pitch, we keep a pulse on the locker room, and we are constantly evaluating ways to improve our club,” Current general manager Camille Ashton said in a statement. “Through our ongoing process of continuous improvement, we believe now is the right time for this change.”

Potter was in the second season. Potter replaced Huw William, who was named along with The Current. a joint report by the NWSL and its players’ union in December This alleged abuse by the coach in the 2021 season.

Potter led the Current last season to a record of 10-6-6, and the team finished in fifth place. However, the club made it to the NWSL final before losing to Portland Thorns. Potter was a finalist in the league’s award for coach of the season.

The Current is 0-3 at the start of this season. It’s expected that they will move to a new riverfront venue near downtown Kansas City in the next season. The game against Houston is the first of their Challenge Cup.

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