Canton native Rodriguez a finalist for prestigious NWSL award
Izzy Rodriguez prepares to launch the ball during a Kansas Current match earlier this summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF KANSAS CITY CURRENT
Throughout her childhood in Canton, Izzy Rodriguez didn’t have to travel far to find role models.
In fact, she didn’t have to step outside the front door of her home.
“My big brother (Tommy) and my parents (Rob and Audrey) have always been my biggest role models,” said Rodriguez, a fifth-year player for the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current. “Tommy was six years older than me and I always tried to keep up with him, even though that was unattainable at the time (she smiled).
“He’s a big reason I’m as competitive as I am today. He not only inspired me as an athlete, but as a human being, too. And my parents were always lending a hand to people in need, and that didn’t go unnoticed by me.”
Honoring a difference-maker
Each of the NWSL’s 16 club-nominated players are competing for a prize of $50,000 for their community partner (Rodriguez’s partner is EarlystART), which is donated by Nationwide. The overall winner of the award will be announced in November.
Vote for Izzy!
During Rodriguez’s time in Kansas City, she has participated in multiple Sideline the Stigma events — the Current’s annual mental health initiative for high school-aged female athletes held in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City — and frequently attends club-led community service initiatives.
“Izzy is an incredible representative of our organization both on and off the pitch, and a worthy recipient of this nomination,” said Kansas City Current Vice President, Community Relations Ben Aken.
“Her deep commitment to community service and the Kansas City community led her to EarlystART, an organization we are honored to support throughout her nomination process.
“We are looking forward to celebrating Izzy as our Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominee.”
Gold medal-worthy reveal
Rodriguez learned of her nomination in a way that is almost too cool for words.
“The Current set up a fake press conference on Zoom,” Rodriguez reflected. “I’m sitting there and all of a sudden my parents are on the screen. They’re the ones that announced it to me, which was very cool.
“Naturally, my mom started crying; and my dad even got a little emotional.”
Netting a hat trick couldn’t have been more rewarding for Rodriguez than the award nomination.
“This award is extremely important to me because it means so much more than what I’ve done athletically,” she said. “It’s about providing service to the community, being there for people who need assistance. I’m proud to be able to amplify the voice of an amazing organization like EarlystART.”
She distributes assists — on and off the pitch
Rodriguez, who recently set the Current’s record for all-time assists (12), said being a professional athlete is a privilege she doesn’t take lightly.
“There isn’t one day I take it for granted,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful to have a job that revolves around doing something I’ve loved doing since I was a little kid — playing soccer.”
Rodriguez has cherished the chance to play for Current part owners Brittany and Patrick Mahomes.
“They’re both so involved in what the Current is about and being able to interact with them even on a limited basis is very cool,” she said. “Brittany is amazing and Patrick is one of the NFL’s GOATs.”
Izzy loves her hometown
While she loves living and playing in Kansas City, home is where her heart is.
“Most of my best friends still live in the Canton area,” said Rodriguez, a graduate of Salem High School and Ohio State University. “We still do girl trips together every year.
“Canton was such a great community to grow up in because everyone I interacted with was so kind, and it seemed like everyone was into athletics. I’m grateful to call Canton my hometown.”
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
