Small Inks Professional Women’s Soccer Contract
7/21/2020 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City graduated senior Abby Small signed a professional contract on July 11th with the Football Club called FC Dinamo Minsk, based in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk. Abby was a four-year starter for the Roos women's soccer program graduating in the spring of 2020. She was an integral part of two regular-season conference championships and 49 overall wins during her tenure.
"I am extremely excited to represent all the hard work and time I have put in to playing soccer," said Small, who was named the 2017 and 2018 Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. "Moving to Belarus, and learning a new culture, will only help my overall game. My goal is just to continue to become the best player I can be, wherever that might be. Right now it's at Dinamo Minsk and I am excited to get to work!"
Small, who started training in Belarus in mid-June, will continue to play on the defensive back line and keep her No. 8-numbered jersey on the professional team. She appeared in her first professional game on July 17th, earning the start and playing the entire match.
Not only is Small making her dream come true, but she is making history in Belarus. She becomes the first-ever American-born player to compete for a top team in Belarus… both on the men's and women's side. Small's professional contract is signed through the end of the fall season, with an option to extend after November.
When Small describes the differences in the game in Belarus, she had this to say.
"The physical aspect of the game is a lot stronger than back home. There aren't as many theatrics around a foul; it's just expected."
Dinamo Minsk competes in the Belarusian Premier League, which is the top division of professional soccer in Belarus. There are 16 teams in the league. At the end of the season, the two teams with the fewest points are automatically relegated to the Belarusian First League, while the third-worst team plays a promotion-relegation playoff against the third-best team from the second tier.
"We are so proud of Abby for signing a pro contract with FC Dinamo Minsk," said Kansas City head coach Jess Smith, who is entering her first year in 2020. "She had an amazing career at Kansas City on-and-off the field, and now leaves another mark on our program by being the first Roo to play professionally. We want to attract players who aspire to play beyond college and Abby is a powerful example of this dream becoming a reality. We could not be more proud of her perseverance and what she has done for our program. We will continue supporting her in any way we can during the next part of her career."
Kansas City Women's Soccer and the Athletics Department congratulate Abby and wish her the best of success in Belarus.
"I am extremely excited to represent all the hard work and time I have put in to playing soccer," said Small, who was named the 2017 and 2018 Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. "Moving to Belarus, and learning a new culture, will only help my overall game. My goal is just to continue to become the best player I can be, wherever that might be. Right now it's at Dinamo Minsk and I am excited to get to work!"
Small, who started training in Belarus in mid-June, will continue to play on the defensive back line and keep her No. 8-numbered jersey on the professional team. She appeared in her first professional game on July 17th, earning the start and playing the entire match.
Not only is Small making her dream come true, but she is making history in Belarus. She becomes the first-ever American-born player to compete for a top team in Belarus… both on the men's and women's side. Small's professional contract is signed through the end of the fall season, with an option to extend after November.
When Small describes the differences in the game in Belarus, she had this to say.
"The physical aspect of the game is a lot stronger than back home. There aren't as many theatrics around a foul; it's just expected."
Dinamo Minsk competes in the Belarusian Premier League, which is the top division of professional soccer in Belarus. There are 16 teams in the league. At the end of the season, the two teams with the fewest points are automatically relegated to the Belarusian First League, while the third-worst team plays a promotion-relegation playoff against the third-best team from the second tier.
"We are so proud of Abby for signing a pro contract with FC Dinamo Minsk," said Kansas City head coach Jess Smith, who is entering her first year in 2020. "She had an amazing career at Kansas City on-and-off the field, and now leaves another mark on our program by being the first Roo to play professionally. We want to attract players who aspire to play beyond college and Abby is a powerful example of this dream becoming a reality. We could not be more proud of her perseverance and what she has done for our program. We will continue supporting her in any way we can during the next part of her career."
Kansas City Women's Soccer and the Athletics Department congratulate Abby and wish her the best of success in Belarus.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's SoccerWomen's Soccer Highlights at #1 Oral Roberts
Thursday, November 06
Women's Soccer Highlights at #5 South Dakota
Sunday, November 02
Women's Soccer Highlights at Omaha
Sunday, October 26
Postgame Interview: Olivia Platt post-South Dakota State
Thursday, October 23