Kansas City Astras indoor women’s soccer team are our newest sports obsession
The Soccer Capital of America is a title not to be taken lightly. Among the cities found across the United States with rich soccer history, Kansas City has truly lived up to this title in recent years.
From opening CPKC Stadium—the world’s first stadium dedicated to a women’s professional sports team—to the KC Current winning the 2025 NWSL Shield in record time, and now serving as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kansas City is at the forefront of soccer’s rapid rise in the United States. And this year, a new chapter begins.
The Kansas City Astras have arrived as Kansas City’s first and premier indoor women’s soccer team. Competing in the MASL-W, the top division for indoor soccer in the United States, the Astras are spearheaded by Elizabeth Serago, who serves as both owner and player.
Originally from Mentor, Ohio, Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in the soccer world.
“For the first 5 years of my playing career, I played recreational soccer before moving into middle school and club teams. I played through high school, and then when I graduated, there was a local community college that only had a men’s team. So, my insane self decided to go play for the men’s team before they started a women’s team the following year. I was the first woman to play for the men’s team, and I captained the women’s team.”
After playing at a couple other colleges, Elizabeth landed at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth where she finished her college career.
However, the origin of the Astras goes deeper than her CV.
“I tore my ACL back in 2021, and I was obviously heartbroken. I was supposed to play my first semi-pro season, and that got ripped away at the last minute. It took me a whole year to rehab, and after this I found myself playing for Kaw Valley FC. One day, I was sitting on the field after practice, and I saw a quote on the bottom of their logo: Ad Astra per Aspera. I looked it up and it translates to ‘To the stars through difficulty’ and that’s always something that has driven me.” 
A mission for The Astras is to tap into the talent in Kansas City that may not be able to find their way into the professional ecosystem through teams like KC Current.
“While teams like the KC Current focus on the top of the top,” Elizabeth explains, “they’re missing a bunch of athletes who have dedicated their lives to playing. These athletes have to move across the world to reach that pro-level intensity, and it takes a huge toll. Astras gives them that exposure without having to travel overseas.”
It is truly an exciting time to be a soccer fan in Kansas City. As the weather cools down and the excitement shifts indoors, The Astras will kick off their first official game away against the Iowa Raptors on Saturday, December 6th.
The following week they will host the Raptors in their home opener on December 13th at All American Indoor Sports Lenexa.
Find more information on the KC Astras official website or on Instagram.
