It was taco night at the Long house. Freshman Mary Long and sophomore Abigail Long recapped their day to their parents — an Algebra II test, socratic seminar, basketball practice, soccer drills. As Abigail passed her sister the guacamole, their parents posed an unexpected question.
“What would you guys think if we brought a women’s soccer team to KC?”
East parents and founders of Palmer Square Capital Management — a company that manages over $18 billion — Angie and Chris Long went through with the proposal, becoming co-owners of the Kansas City Current professional National Women’s Soccer League team along with Brittany Matthews, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ partner. Now, the sisters and their two younger brothers have been the first to hear any news about the team — a new staple conversation topic at family dinners.
Sports have always influenced the Long family’s lives. Mary plays soccer for KC Athletics’ 07 Elite Clubs National League team — part of the highest-level youth soccer league in the U.S.. Abigail plays basketball for MO Phenom as the number one shooting guard for class of 2024 in Kansas. Their little brothers Teddy and Christopher both play tennis as well, and it was no surprise when the Longs got involved with another sports team.
Being connected to the NWSL team creates unique opportunities for the sisters. They watched almost every home game this season from the owners’ suite, sat on the sidelines during practices and made friends with the players.
“After the games, if they lose, they usually don’t want to talk,” Mary said. “But, if they win, we go down to the field and congratulate everyone.”
Not only is it fun to spend their weekends in a stadium packed with teal-adorned fans, both Mary and Abigail see their future when they watch the team. Playing soccer since she was three years old, Mary hopes to play soccer in college, and then become a professional soccer player. Seeing the players first-hand has shown her what that life would be like.
“My biggest dream is to play for the women’s national team, but I would definitely want to play in either the NWSL or Europe,” Mary said.
As for Abigail, she hopes to study sports management in college. Spending time observing the management team at games and practices, Abigail can picture herself doing what they do — she especially looks up to her parents after seeing how dedicated they are to the project.
“They spend a lot of time doing work for the team, but still make time to come to our stuff like my basketball games,” Abigail said.
As highly-skilled athletes themselves, the sisters have found role models in the players.
“Having a normal conversation with the players about what they did in high school and college is cool because it’s relatable in some ways,” Abigail said. “They also had to balance practices, social things and school just like me.”
The sisters enjoy being around the players because they’re lighthearted, despite their full commitment to soccer — clocking in for over three-hour practices six days a week. Mary and Abigail have a running joke with midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta about her five foot stature — shorter than 14-year-old Mary. By now, the sisters on a first-name basis with the majority of the players.
Mary hopes to practice with the women someday. Her favorite player is Victoria Pickett, who plays a similar position to her — center forward or attacking midfield.
“She’s super fast and good at dribbling,” Mary said. “Instead of passing every time, she is great at turning and getting up the field. I want to play like her.”
Abigail most admires the players’ work ethic, which is apparent through long practices and sweaty workouts despite their friendly demeanor. Though she isn’t a soccer player herself, she still relates to the time and effort the players put in to perform at their best.
“Imagine the middle of basketball season, where you’re practicing every single day after school, and multiply that by at least two and that’s what they’re doing. I want to be like them, but basketball version.”
Abigail Long
The Long parents hope having the team around will teach the girls life lessons about dedication and following your dreams.
“Whether professional athletics is your ambition or not, it takes a lot of hard work to be really successful in whatever it is that you choose to do,” Angie said. “These female professional athletes are fearless in a way and I hope that our whole family will learn from that.”
In November, the Longs announced that construction of the team’s new stadium will begin in 2022 — it will be the country’s first soccer stadium built for a women’s league.
“Even ten years ago, you wouldn’t have thought, ‘I can play professional women’s soccer,’” Abigail said. “Especially having it in Kansas City, now I think, ‘This is possible. I can go professional in women’s sports.’”