Kansas City Astras will 'shoot for the stars' in 2025-26 league debut

TAMPA, Florida --  The newest club in Major Arena Soccer League Women will soon be reaching for the stars, so to speak, when it kicks off in Kansas City later this fall.

A newly formed club – the KC Astras – will be under the guidance of owner Elizabeth Serago, who picked the team name as an homage to the Sunflower State.

The official motto of the state of Kansas– which is also inscribed in the state's flag and seal – is “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” Latin for “To the stars through difficulties.”

“I have seen the state logo all over and it has resonated with me at a whole different level. I love the idea of “Astra” being the centerpiece of our name. The word Astra carries a feminine essence- which helps give credit to the women of KC for enduring their own hardships to give us this opportunity. Everyone has their battles, but I think it’s beautiful when resiliency shines through- which is exactly what this quote and team symbolize. KC has been a leader in supporting not only women’s soccer, but women’s sports as a whole- which is no easy feat,” she said. “It’s more than just a name, it’s a tribute to all the women who didn’t have the chance to do what we’re doing.”

Major Arena Soccer League Women Commissioner Chris Economides is excited to see the league debut in Kansas City this year. He was the part owner of the Kansas City Attack which won the 1992-93 National Professional Soccer League championship before over 12,000 fans at Kemper Arena on April 30, 1993, defeating the Cleveland Crunch, 19-7.

“Kansas City has always been at the forefront of both indoor soccer and women's soccer, so welcoming the Astras to the MASLW family next season is a natural extension of the city's rich soccer tradition and history,” Economides said. “This is a club that has spirited and determined leadership that is already tapping into the soccer synergy there and doing things the right way. They are already proving to be a great addition to the league.”

Serago moved to Kansas City several years ago specifically to pursue more soccer opportunities. She has been known to be in the stands at Cable Dahmer Arena for a MASL Comets game or two and is well aware of the reputation the Astras aspire to uphold.

Her soccer journey has taken her through various leagues and teams. She began her college career at Lakeland Community College in Ohio, notably playing on the men's varsity team her first year before leading the newly formed women's team as captain in her second. After arriving in the KC area, she joined Kaw Valley in the USLW and Sunflower State in the WPSL. She finished her college soccer career at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she earned her master's degree in counseling psychology. In 2023, she pursued her professional aspirations by trialing for the KC Comets. In early 2024, she achieved those aspirations by gaining international experience playing in Germany.

“I've been playing soccer since I was five years old, and it still brings me the same joy now as it did then. It's been my entire life up to this point and I still have so much more to give,” she said. “We are determined to do everything we can to add to the great history of supporting MASLW and women’s soccer. There are plenty of youth clubs here excited to offer support and countless quality players to draw from in the future. There's talent hiding all over the place, and this team just gives KC one more way to find it.”

She has already been collaborating with the leadership group at Sunflower State, which has previous MASL experience.

The Astras will play their home games at All American Indoor Sports in Lenexa, Kansas- which also serves as the home field for the Kansas City Barilleros of MASL 3. Major Arena Soccer League Women play a 10-game regular season schedule from November through March. Serago said open tryouts are set for August 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at All American Indoor Soccer.

More information on the league is available at www.maslw.com. More information on the Astras will be available by clicking HERE!