The Kansas City Current have fired head coach Matt Potter, the team announced on Wednesday, only hours before it began its 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup campaign on the road in Houston.
Potter’s termination was “related to issues around his leadership and employment responsibilities,” the team said in a statement.
Potter traveled to Houston with the team and oversaw Tuesday’s training session there. Caroline Sjöblom, who had been an assistant coach, will serve as interim coach on Wednesday in Houston.
“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.”
Kansas City’s regular season began with three straight losses, including a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday that saw the Current losing 4-0 at one point.
Potter took charge of the team ahead of the 2022 season, resurrecting what was a last-place team the year prior to lead the Current to the NWSL Championship. There, the Portland Thorns defeated Kansas City, 2-0. The Current finished the 2022 regular season in fifth place, 4 points off the Shield. They had a shot at winning the Shield going into the final weekend of play. Kansas City finished with a 10-6-6 record.
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