Kelsey Branson Inks Contract With NWSL’s Kansas City Current
March 21, 2026 | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Washington senior midfielder Kelsey Branson has signed a professional contract with the NWSL's Kansas City Current, announced Saturday by the club.
Branson's signing comes after a preseason trial with the club as a non-roster invitee.
"We are so excited for Kelsey," UW head coach Nicole Van Dyke said. "She's earned this, and I know I speak for our staff and team when I say we couldn't be more proud or happier for her."
The San Diego native makes it six former Huskies on active NWSL rosters and the third to sign with a league club this winter after helping lead Washington to the Big Ten Double and the NCAA Elite Eight in 2025, joining Kolo Suliafu (Kansas City Current) and Kalea Eichenberger (Utah Royals).
The trio are joined as UW alumni on active NWSL rosters by Shae Holmes (Seattle Reign FC), Olivia Sekany (Racing Louisville FC), and 2024 NWSL Champion Summer Yates (Orlando Pride).
Branson joins the Current off of a vaunted four-year career on Montlake as the anchor at the middle of the Husky attack and defense. Beginning with the final seven matches of her freshman campaign in 2022, Branson went on to start the final 72 matches of her UW career.
"Kelsey is a relentless worker and an exceptional leader, and her versatility only added to the impact she made on this program," Van Dyke said. "What she's done for this program over the last four years has been truly meaningful. More than anything, she elevated the people around her and helped build something that will last well beyond her time here. Her character, humility, and selflessness are what truly set her apart."
The epitome of consistency in the middle of the park, Branson took her game to another level in 2025, earning Third Team All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors after posting 13 points on five goals and three assists.
The four-year starter saved arguably the most important of her 16 career goals for the very last one, netting the winner in the 81st minute of UW's 3-2 comeback victory over Minnesota. Just days later, the Huskies downed Wisconsin 1-0 at Husky Soccer Stadium to clinch Washington's first conference title in 25 years.
While covering the length of the field as a box-to-box midfielder, Branson played every minute of 16 of Washington's final 18 matches, including the entirety of UW's storybook postseason run.
"Kelsey's work ethic, competitiveness, commitment to development, and leadership define her as a player," Van Dyke said. "She showed up every single day committed, ready to compete, and always put the team first. Most importantly, she was someone we could always count on when it mattered most. KC, you got another great one!"
Branson and Kansas City hit the road for the first time in 2026 on Sunday, facing Chicago Stars FC at 11:15 a.m. PT, airing on ESPN2.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
Branson's signing comes after a preseason trial with the club as a non-roster invitee.
"We are so excited for Kelsey," UW head coach Nicole Van Dyke said. "She's earned this, and I know I speak for our staff and team when I say we couldn't be more proud or happier for her."
The San Diego native makes it six former Huskies on active NWSL rosters and the third to sign with a league club this winter after helping lead Washington to the Big Ten Double and the NCAA Elite Eight in 2025, joining Kolo Suliafu (Kansas City Current) and Kalea Eichenberger (Utah Royals).
The trio are joined as UW alumni on active NWSL rosters by Shae Holmes (Seattle Reign FC), Olivia Sekany (Racing Louisville FC), and 2024 NWSL Champion Summer Yates (Orlando Pride).
Branson joins the Current off of a vaunted four-year career on Montlake as the anchor at the middle of the Husky attack and defense. Beginning with the final seven matches of her freshman campaign in 2022, Branson went on to start the final 72 matches of her UW career.
"Kelsey is a relentless worker and an exceptional leader, and her versatility only added to the impact she made on this program," Van Dyke said. "What she's done for this program over the last four years has been truly meaningful. More than anything, she elevated the people around her and helped build something that will last well beyond her time here. Her character, humility, and selflessness are what truly set her apart."
The epitome of consistency in the middle of the park, Branson took her game to another level in 2025, earning Third Team All-Big Ten and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors after posting 13 points on five goals and three assists.
The four-year starter saved arguably the most important of her 16 career goals for the very last one, netting the winner in the 81st minute of UW's 3-2 comeback victory over Minnesota. Just days later, the Huskies downed Wisconsin 1-0 at Husky Soccer Stadium to clinch Washington's first conference title in 25 years.
While covering the length of the field as a box-to-box midfielder, Branson played every minute of 16 of Washington's final 18 matches, including the entirety of UW's storybook postseason run.
"Kelsey's work ethic, competitiveness, commitment to development, and leadership define her as a player," Van Dyke said. "She showed up every single day committed, ready to compete, and always put the team first. Most importantly, she was someone we could always count on when it mattered most. KC, you got another great one!"
Branson and Kansas City hit the road for the first time in 2026 on Sunday, facing Chicago Stars FC at 11:15 a.m. PT, airing on ESPN2.
For news, scores, highlights and more, download the Go Huskies app on your mobile device. Follow @UW_WSoccer on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and TikTok and subscribe to UW Athletics on YouTube for the latest on the Dawgs.
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