The National Women’s Soccer League announced on Monday that its board of governors approved an expansion team Kansas City to enter the league in 2021, following the deterioration of the Utah Royals FC.

The move will give the Utah Royals FC and franchise two years to re-establish their ownership while allowing their current players to play elsewhere in the meantime. The Royals aim to return to the National Women’s Soccer League in 2023.

An ownership group led by financial experts Angie and Chris Long bought the team from Dell Loy Hansen. The Longs carry standout success in the financial sector as a team and individually with Kansas City-based Palmer Square Capital Management, where Angie serves as chief investment officer and Chris as CEO.

“Chris and I could not be more ecstatic to welcome a team back to Kansas City, especially as the league has been transformed by innovative leadership and explosive growth. We are committed to getting this right – for our team and our town,” said Angie Long. “We can’t wait for the players and the country to see what we have long known: there’s something special about living in Kansas City and something even more special about playing here.”

The Longs are the leaders of an ownership group comprised mostly of female leaders in the industry, including marketing and creative executive Jen Gulvik, who will serve as NWSL Kansas City team president, and former professional soccer player Brittany Matthews. Also, the Longs named former FC Kansas City General Manager Huw Williams as head coach of the new NWSL Kansas City club. Williams was a part of the FCKC leadership team that won consecutive NWSL championships in 2014 and 2015. He worked alongside current USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski during that period.

All player rights, draft picks and other assets formerly held by the Utah Royals will be transferred to the new Kansas City franchise. Utah Royals captain Amy Rodriguez sent a heartfelt message to every person affiliated with the club.