KANSAS CITY (June 7, 2016) — Katie Bowen’s connections to FC Kansas City started long before she was selected by the two-time champions in the draft this January.

It started with calls to a few well-known North Carolina graduates in Heather O’Reilly and Yael Averbuch to learn about the team. Those led to conversations with coach Vlatko Andonovski and general manager Huw Williams about her plans to finish school and continue playing for the New Zealand National Team.

By the time the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft came around, the two-time Women’s World Cup veteran was sold on the Blues despite never visiting Kansas City before.

“I had never been to Kansas and didn’t know anything about the players, but a huge thing for me was when I spoke to them on the phone and said I wanted to finish school. They were fine with that,” Bowen said. “It proved to me that they want to do what is best for me whether it’s football, family or school. They will be there for me.”

Her life has only gotten more hectic since then, as she balanced the end of her communications degree with pre-season training and an impending call-up for her native country. The Ferns are preparing for the Rio Olympic Games.

She has taken it all in stride though, starting two of her first three games with the Blues and scoring her first international goal in a 1-1 draw with Australia on Tuesday.

None of her accomplishments have surprised Blues coach Vlatko Andonovski, who said her experience from age 14 with the Ferns made her an ideal candidate to join FC Kansas City’s backline.

“Obviously, Katie Bowen comes from a college and it’s her first year, but she doesn’t play like a rookie,” Blues coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “You can tell she has the experience of two World Cups behind her on the international stage. That is something that has helped this group because we don’t have to go through the early development with her as a professional. She can jump right in and fit in with the players we have.”

When Bowen returns to the Blues, FC Kansas City will play a pair of road matches against Sky Blue FC and the Houston Dash. Their next home game will be June 25 against Seattle Reign FC. Call 855-4KC-GOAL or visit fckansascity.com/tickets to purchase tickets for the game.