Salem grad Izzy Rodriguez wins prestigious NWSL Fan Impact Challenge
GRAPHIC COURTESY OF KANSAS CITY CURRENT
Kansas City Current defender Izzy Rodriguez and her community partner, EarlystART, won the Fan Impact Challenge for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Award, presented by Nationwide, the NWSL announced on Wednesday morning.
Rodriguez is a native of Canton and a graduate of Salem High School.
In honor of Rodriguez winning the Fan Impact Challenge, Nationwide will make a $10,000 donation to EarlystART.
This is the second consecutive year the Kansas City Current has won the Fan Impact Challenge.
Win means $15,000 for amazing organization
EarlystART, one of Kansas City’s leading innovators in quality early learning that has served the Kansas City, Mo., community since 1967, has received $15,000 in funds throughout Rodriguez’s nomination process.
On Aug. 22, EarlystART received a $5,000 donation from Nationwide for being Rodriguez’s community partner.
Rodriguez sat among the league’s top vote-getters during the two-week Fan Impact Challenge window, which ran from Aug. 14-29. She entered the final weekend of voting in third place, but a late voting surge vaulted Rodriguez to a come-from-behind victory to earn additional funding for EarlystART.
Izzy grateful for her supporters
“I am so honored and grateful to have won the Lauren Holiday Impact Award Fan Challenge in partnership with EarlystART,” Rodriguez said. “Thank you to everyone who voted each and every day, and continued to spread the word of all the great things EarlystART is doing for the community.
“Special thanks to my amazing teammates, and the team behind the scenes for amplifying the message. The KC community is so strong!”
Open year-round, EarlystART serves over 100 infants, toddlers and pre-K students as well as their families and caregivers.
The organization uses evidence-based curriculum to encourage positive teacher-student relationships, autonomy, and child-led experiences. EarlystART integrates the arts in meaningful ways, incorporating visual, musical and dramatic arts that come to life both in and out of the classroom.
‘Truly a gift’
“Winning the Fan Impact Challenge is truly a gift to EarlystART and the children and families we serve,” said June McDaniel, CEO of EarlystART.
“We are deeply grateful for this support, which will help us continue providing high-quality education and creating meaningful opportunities for our students to learn, grow and thrive. Thank you for believing in our children and their future.”
The Fan Impact Challenge is a component of the overall Lauren Holiday Impact Award. Rodriguez is one of 16 club-nominated players for the prestigious honor, which recognizes NWSL players for outstanding service and character off the pitch.
The overall winner of the award will be announced on Nov. 18 during the 2026 NWSL Awards, presented by AT&T, and will be determined by a panel of judges that includes Lauren Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman and representatives from Nationwide, the NWSLPA and the Media Association.
