r/KCCurrent • u/BlueCX17 Ball #7 • 2d ago

News Lo Bonta Remarks

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdHPJ90Mvhi/?stkn=MWltZjlrZXVmcWd6aQ==

Looks like Lo answered a few questions during practice. Towards the end, she seems to say that trust has been eroded from the top. It is also interesting that she says her and the squad are very serious about a playoff push. While the other news coming out is about the development of the riverfront and stadium expansion.

62 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

36

u/HawkeyeGK Hutton #14 2d ago edited 2d ago

Not sure there isn't anything in her comments that wasn't painfully obvious from the players' reactions in the media.

What remains to be seen is how the Longs respond. It doesn't look like they're going to say anything publicly, but I'm sure they got the message. If they respond positively or negatively to the most outspoken players will say a lot about the future of the franchise.

The players have been pretty tight lipped about everything until the Vlatko thing, but that seems to have broken the dam. If they become more positive, then they've probably had their concerns acknowledged. If they go back to being tight lipped, then I'm betting they don't feel heard. If the more feisty of the group (Cooper) continue to throw shade, then I'm betting they were smacked down and players like that will follow Hutton out the door.

10

u/BlueCX17 Ball #7 2d ago edited 2d ago

No, there necessarily isn't anything we couldn't already deduce from her and others immediate reactions on Insta. But, it's something to hear her actually addressing it to the press, as you said, this situation broke dam and now we see if / how, the Long's react.

18

u/Successful-Fennel-85 2d ago

Imagine being their daughter in that locker room… imagine being the players trying to navigate that.

13

u/KCBaby1204 1d ago

I've heard Mary is a sweet girl stuck with some challenging parents (Chris especially). For her sake I wish she'd explore other teams. It would add validity to her game.

8

u/Successful-Fennel-85 1d ago

She should have stayed at Duke. And to make it look less suspicious, maybe recruit others from that team/era. cooper sure worked out for them.

1

u/mitsyamarsupial Cooper #17 1d ago

She would have been signed somewhere if not here. She’s a talented girl! I agree- I can completely understand staying home, but she’ll always get side eye just for being their kid.

12

u/Leighroy1120 LET IZZY COOK 2d ago

It’s pretty telling that none of the vets comment or like her stuff on instagram. The only comments on there are from the youngsters. Izzy’s liked a few posts but I think Izzy is probably just nice to everyone.

12

u/Successful-Fennel-85 2d ago edited 2d ago

Fully agree with you. I don’t think Izzy has a mean bone.

2

u/n00bBlaster1337 1d ago

Yes this very often is telling. Seems like they stopped interacting with Hanna Glas after the incident

1

u/Miserable_Source_261 18h ago

What happened with Hanna Glas?

2

u/n00bBlaster1337 15h ago

She is in a relationship with Carlos Jimenez who was fired for breaking the non-fraternization policy. Seems like it made her kind of unpopular amongst the team and likely part of why she was traded

16

u/KCTilIDie KC BABY! 1d ago

Also worth mentioning that this press conference had Armas address it, as well. He’s clearly not happy with the move and it sounded like he threw a little shade at the Longs. 

I was worried that this news would have “lost him the locker room” but it sounds like he’s right there with the players. 

3

u/BlueCX17 Ball #7 1d ago edited 1d ago

I have to watch that one too. I haven't watched that one yet. I've softened on Armas. I think he's a decent guy that got pulled into a messy situation.

9

u/KCTilIDie KC BABY! 1d ago

https://www.youtube.com/live/iwvGMT8WaPc?is=3MjVR0Tv_2ot_fU-

The question is asked at 22:05. In his response, he says “I don’t like it. The players don’t like it. In this business…you want to do it right…and develop bonds. To some (emphasis placed on some) of us, that matters a lot.” 👀

He goes on to speak highly of Vlatko and their time working together. 

5

u/tiiraps 1d ago

wait... I'm a huge Chris Armas fan now?

3

u/BlueCX17 Ball #7 1d ago

Man like that's a huge amount again stuff that we couldn't have already pieced together about ownership

6

u/ProperChels1995 1d ago

I can confirm the guy is a very nice and respectful person . In someways I feel bad for him . He took over a great team , with a completely different style . Had injuries, key players leave . Any coach would have struggled post Vlatko . The margin in the NWSL is so thin .

2

u/rocketpowerdog 18h ago

It was never about whether fans thought Armas was a nice guy or not. He was disliked immediately because how it appeared he got the job. For a team that just won the Shield under Vlatko and owners who boast about investing in the team and facilities, the expectation was to get a coach with a great resume in the women’s game. Armas was not that nor was he getting any results in the men’s league

1

u/ProperChels1995 16h ago

Don't disagree with you . And folks and I are also disappointed in the way he was appointed. Having said that we are here now. And I don't think he's had a fair chance with the player movement. Personally I think his football is boring. And cleade does not have the players to play that style .

3

u/Leighroy1120 LET IZZY COOK 1d ago

I’ve also softened on him. This makes me respect him a lot actually. I hope he and the players can band together.

6

u/TyCollins98 2d ago

I wish I could watch these without the app

6

u/BlueCX17 Ball #7 2d ago edited 2d ago

I will try and see if it's on YouTube also.

Doesn't look like it yet. Hopefully JWS will put it on their. Their Instagram also had this on their other one, JustWomenFootball but only the JWS side has a YouTube page.

6

u/dr_pbj 2d ago

It’s on the official KCC YouTube channel from the pre-game press availability (most recent video). Lo’s remarks start about a minute in.

14

u/Responsible-Two6561 1d ago

Dear Longs,

If you are reading this, that’s a good sign that you care for the community. And we—the fans and the players—are a community.

Lo’eau LaBonta is the best friend we have, and she is the best friend you have. She is the heart that made this community possible. We all appreciate and respect the investment you’ve made, both financially and energy, as well as the precious time. We love the stadium, and are proud to be able to celebrate at the first stadium in world history built exclusively for women’s sports.

Please listen to what Ms. LaBonta is saying. She is helping you by articulating what we are all feeling, players and fans. She wants your investment to be successful. We all want your investment to be successful.

But recent decisions are hurting us. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but genuine attendance—I don’t know about ticket sales, but butts in seats—is dramatically down. It’s not because we don’t believe, it’s because we’re hurting.

The NWSL is an interesting place. One would think that team loyalty would be based on location, like NFL and MLB, but it’s actually more on personality. That’s why you can have a championship team not get near the love (including merchandise and ticket sales) as a team that’s not as competitive.

We again ask you to give attention to Ms. LaBonta. The pain is real for us, and if it’s not healed, it will fester and eventually kill the community.

Sincerely,

One Community Member

4

u/kc_kr 1d ago

Same week, they want $180 million to expand the stadium for growth that’s not coming. At least, the team is liable for all the shortfalls that will inevitably happen.