Averbuch has played for the USWNT at every level of the youth national team

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. (November 7, 2014) – FC Kansas City announced today that the club has signed former Washington Spirit midfielder Yael Averbuch. Per league and team policies, contract details were not disclosed.

“Yael fits our system perfectly and at the same time we are a good fit for her,” FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “This is a great match for both parties.”

Averbuch, 28, was a member of the Washington Spirit last season where she played 1562 minutes in 22 games and recorded one game-winning goal and one assist. The New York City native has played for the United States at every level of the youth national team and earned her first senior team cap in 2007.

In 2008, Averbuch captained the U-23 USWNT to a Nordic Cup title in Sweden. She scored her first goal for the senior team during a 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

“Yael is an excellent tempo player with outstanding abilities like creating opportunities for herself and for her teammates on the field,” FC Kansas City director of soccer operations Huw Williams said. “Her experience with the USWNT and playing professionally abroad will make a great addition for our team.”

During her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, Averbuch started every game with the Tar Heels, setting an all-time team and NCAA record with 105 consecutive starts. She also registered 32 goals, 29 assists and 93 career points, which earned her multiple accolades including the Top VIII Award as a senior, the most prestigious honor awarded by the NCAA to outstanding student-athletes.

“I am extremely excited to join FC Kansas City,” Averbuch said. “It is a team that I really admire on the field and I’ve heard great things about the organization as a whole. I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity to become a part of it.”

In 2012, Averbuch played for WFC Rossiyanka in the Women’s Russian League before signing with Swedish side Göteborg FC where she played in 16 matches and scored seven goals, including one in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Averbuch also took part in UEFA WCL action this past fall, playing for Apollon FC in Cyprus.

Yael Averbuch

Position: Midfielder

Date of Birth: November 3, 1986

Place of Birth: New York City, NY

Height: 5’10”

Previous club: Washington Spirit

How acquired: Signed on November 7, 2014

Twitter: @Yael_Averbuch