Vanessa DiBernardo
Midfielder (she/her)
HOMETOWN: Naperville, IL, USA
HEIGHT: 5'4"
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Vanessa DiBernardo joined the Kansas City Current in December 2022 as a free agent after nine seasons with the Chicago Red Stars. In 2024, she signed a new contract through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. Entering the 2026 season, she has totaled 241 appearances, 221 starts, 19,027 minutes, 12 goals and 37 assists across all competitions in her career.
The veteran midfielder quickly established her name in Kansas City and made history by scoring the first-ever goal at CPKC Stadium on March 16, 2024. She was named to the NWSL Second XI and nominated for NWSL Midfielder of the Year in 2024. In 2025, she became the 12th player in NWSL history to reach 15,000 regular season minutes, the fifth player (and second youngest) to hit 200 regular season appearances and the first to take 400 regular season corner kicks while helping the Current win the NWSL Shield. Prior to Kansas City, she was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2014 NWSL Draft and became a cornerstone of Chicago’s midfield, earning captaincy in 2022 and setting club records for games played (155), minutes (12,465) and assists (22).
Internationally, DiBernardo played for the United States U-20 and U-23 national teams. She played in all five matches of the 2012 Concacaf U-20 Championship, helping the U.S. win the event while tallying two goals and an assist. She trained with the U-20 squad in preparation for the 2012 FIFA U-20 World Cup, also making appearances in several U-23 training camps.
The highest NWSL draft pick in school history, DiBernardo had a standout collegiate career at the University of Illinois from 2010-13. The two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten honoree was tabbed to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List three times. DiBernardo, who was named the 2010 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the 2011 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, led the Illini to their second-ever Big Ten Tournament title as a sophomore. Her 22 career assists still stand today as the Illinois program record.
