Salem grad Rodriguez defender for Mahomes-owned NWSL team
Canton native and Salem graduate Izzy Rodriguez is establishing herself as a solid defender in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Canton native and Salem High School graduate Izzy Rodriguez’s amazing soccer legacy continues to grow — these days with the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current, who are co-owned by NFL Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.
In December, Rodriguez, who thrived as a collegiate defender at Ohio State University, inked a two-year contract with the Current, extending her tenure with the club through the 2025 season.
“We are very excited Izzy is continuing her career with us in KC,” said general manager Camille Ashton on the Current’s website. “She is already a true professional who is consistent with her efforts and has the ability to impact every match.”
“Izzy has the mindset and technical and physical abilities to excel in this league,” added Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Her development from her rookie season to last year was tremendous and I’m excited for her to continue to grow into one of the NWSL’s top defenders.”
Rodriguez was drafted by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2022 NWSL Draft. She made 26 appearances for the Current her rookie season, with highlights including an assist on Kristen Hamilton’s game-winning goal June 11, 2022, against NJ/NY Gotham.
Flourishing at the pro level
The Canton native’s second NWSL season showed tremendous growth, the Current’s website noted, as she made appearances in every match Kansas City played in 2023. she earned 11 starts, including 10 straight to finish the season.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful to be staying with the Current and getting to play for this club and this city once again!” Rodriguez told KansasCityCurrent.com. “I can’t wait to get back to work with the group and compete for a championship.”
Rodriguez has earned accolades on and off the pitch during her stellar soccer career.
She was named Ohio State’s 2021-22 women’s recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor — the first soccer player to do so since 2011.
Distinguished honor
The Big Ten Medal of Honor was established in 1915 and was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics.
It is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their college career.
Rodriguez was also a Senior CLASS Award finalist her senior season at OSU and was on the MAC Hermann Award Preseason Watch List for the second time in three seasons. A three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree, Rodriguez played in 88 career games for the Buckeyes during her five-year career, making 87 starts. She had eight goals, 11 assists and was part of 29 shutouts in her career.
Rodriguez was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and was the 2020 Big Ten Defender of the Year and was a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and graduated in December of 2021 with a finance degree.
Rodriguez is the daughter of Rob and Audrey Rodriguez of Canton.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
