The Kansas City Current remains undefeated, but Houston will be disappointed with a 1-1 tie. Temwa Chawinga scored his fifth goal of the season, but the biggest story of the game was the four-hour weather delay, which meant the game lasted six hours.
“I'm very proud of this group,” current head coach Vlatko Andonovskiy said after the game. “I think we played a good game. I think we played quality football, created chances, and broke down chances in different ways. At the end of the day, that's what it is.”
Current was easily the dominant team in the first half, creating numerous chances, but Houston Dash keeper Jane Campbell did the job on all but one shot. In the 24th minute, Vanessa DiBernardo crossed to Chawinga and Current broke through. The talented Malawian forward was unable to get a clean shot, but the ball was deflected to the back post as Campbell dived towards the near post. The ball slowly crossed the line, giving Kansas City a 1-0 lead.
DiBernardo's fifth assist. Chawinga's fifth goal. 🔥
These two are the problem 👏@NWSL | #KC Baby pic.twitter.com/Dpjz9XSHzZ
— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 5, 2024
Kansas City remained in control for much of the first half and headed to the locker room at the end of the first half with confidence. As the teams headed to the locker room, the game was postponed due to weather. Four hours later, the teams finally resumed play.
Current was still the better team, but Houston started creating more chances. Despite the Dash showing improvement going into the match, Current was not seriously challenged until the 71st minute. AD Fran was unable to get his cross into the box. Franch and Ellie Wheeler collided, causing further confusion and the ball ricocheted to Amanda West. The dashing forward collected the loose ball and sent it into the back of the goal, tying the score at 1-1.
What a great way to achieve your first professional goal.
Amanda West ties the score. @HoustonDash And we are all tied up! pic.twitter.com/5rwvDlXmIr
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 5, 2024
Current is still undefeated with a record of 5-0-2 and 17 points, but for the first time this season they did not finish the weekend in first place in the NWSL. The Orlando Pride have overtaken them and are in first place with a record of 5-0-3 and 18 points with one game remaining.
Kansas City will play the Seattle Reign next Wednesday with even less time to prepare. The Current's schedule was already tight, with two days less rest than in Seattle, but weather delays forced Kansas City to change its travel plans after missing its flight.
NWSL Match Report
Match: Houston Dash vs. Kansas City Current
Date: May 5, 2024
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas
Kickoff: 12:11pm (Central Time)
Weather: 77 degrees, cloudy
Number of attendees: 5,099 people
discipline
61 min Houston – Backman (Yellow)
74 min Houston – HC Alonso (Yellow)
Scoring
24 minutes Kansas City – Chawinga (DiBernardo)
71' Houston – West
Houston Dash lineup: Campbell©, Jacobs, Nielsen, Peterson, Ordonez, Nagasato (46' Olivieri), West (84' Alozi), Hurst (63' Andreza), Backman, Patterson, Rubenson
Unused substitutes: Puntigam, Hintz, Breede, Soto, Ayson, Harris.
Kansas City's current lineup: Mace (69' Wheeler), Chawinga, Ball, Hatton, DiBernardo (67' Debinha), Rodriguez, Franchi©, Feist (46' LaBonta), Robinson, Spaanstra (82' Pfeiffer), Raboges (67' Cooper)
Unused substitutes: Steigleder, Prince, Barisager, Silkowitz