The Currents had a chance to further examine their early season success as they traveled to the Northeast to take on the defending NWSL Champions, New Jersey/New York Gotham FC. Things so far look very different for KC than they did a year ago, when the team fired their coach after performing so poorly in the first three games of the season. Twelve months on, Current are alone in first place, the only team to not drop a point and set the scoring pace. Will that momentum continue Sunday against a team that features not only the reigning champions but also a number of American players?
Kansas City won the penalty shootout (11 goals for, 7 against), and Gotham has scored one goal and conceded just two in their previous three games, so it's expected to be a game of contrasting styles. Ta. Star attacker Debinha is still working his way back from injury, but it seems unlikely that Gotham will be able to completely contain KC's powerful attack, especially considering the form of exciting new additions Bea and Chawinga. It seemed to me. Can they withstand against a star-studded opponent, especially when they are so vulnerable on corner kicks?
Following the injury report, Debinha (as well as Glass, Prince and Webber) was joined by team captain (heart and soul) Lo LaBonta as a surprise addition. The Current has proven its depth so far, but adjusting to the absence of one of its key contributors is never easy. Jumping into LaBonta's spot in midfield was Bailey Feist, who joined the team and earned his first minutes. However, in positive injury news, Mace and Cooper were both available for selection.
Early in the game, former Current keeper Cathy Miller hit Chawinga's batsman with a bane (Poison Ivy as Batgirl?) and fired a shot past Gotham's entire back line and towards the near post, but the Malawi international His kick save prevented them from taking the lead. .
However, the Dark Knights' respite didn't last long as the aforementioned Bia and Chawinga combined for the opening goal, scoring a beautiful goal that really showed some of their strengths. After Gotham's corner kick, Beer ran onto the ball with force and ran through the middle of the pitch. While all the defenders' eyes were focused on the Brazilian, another player in red sped alongside them, as if using a different gear. Clearly, KC's new attacking pair were starting to get used to playing together, and Beer knew when to flick the ball forward where only his teammates could get it. In his second one-on-one chance with Miller, Temwa was not denied and fired a shot into the top of the net.
Poetry. in. motion. ๐ค@Biazanellat Finish on Chawinga with a counter!@NWSL | #KC Baby pic.twitter.com/wI23yzDvAM
โ KC Current (@thekccurrent) April 14, 2024
That goal in the 17th minute was the only goal of the first half, but there were several other exciting moments. Gotham nearly tied the score in the 22nd minute when Stengel came close to scoring on a long throw-in. Her shot was saved by Franch above her chest and her rebound attempt went high. Gotham's next best chance came in the 40th minute. Franch stretched out to block a fierce attack from long range towards the back of the goal.
Kansas City had more pressure and shots (7-4) in the first half, but Gotham grew into the game and created multiple chances immediately after intermission after bringing on Nicewonger and Dunn. Franch (and the crossbar) briefly maintained KC's lead as AD pinned the ball on the line. Unfortunately, New Jersey's onslaught continued, and in the 51st minute they took advantage of KC's Achilles heel and poured the ball in with Esther completely open in the corner.
Esther's score @gothamFCFirst home goal in 2024! pic.twitter.com/qOivMiIh8S
โ National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) April 14, 2024
Sensing an opening, Gotham brought in (another former Current) Lynn Williams, who had returned from injury. Kansas City countered with three offensive-minded changes, bringing in Mace, Laboges, and Cooper (making his season debut). The match became more of an end-to-end affair, with both teams creating chances but not wanting to make any clear mistakes. Rookie Feist showed his potential by catching his shoelaces on a shot that Miller reacted over the bar and forced a save.
Late in the second, Current lost a speedy goalscorer when Chawinga went down with severe leg cramps. She was replaced by 16-year-old Pfeiffer, who scored with Cooper in stoppage time and almost scored the winning goal, but Miller darted off his line and smothered the ball just before Cooper could reach it. Meanwhile, KC fans held their breath when Gotham were awarded a free kick in the seventh minute of stoppage time (out of a proposed six minutes). The ensuing free kick hit Laboges in the face and would have been a corner kick had the referee not blown the final whistle (much to the consternation of Gotham's managers).
In the end, Kansas City dropped a point for the first time this season, but remained undefeated with a 1-1 road tie. This felt like a reasonable result as Current was the more dangerous team in the first 45 games, but Gotham could have easily scored multiple times after the break. Kansas City remains in first place and getting points against the champions (on the night of the banner) is certainly a positive.
We will share the points and remain undefeated๐ค@CPKCrail | #KC Baby pic.twitter.com/Mh81eloCx2
โ KC Current (@thekccurrent) April 15, 2024
Although Current didn't average more than three goals per game, there seems to be a pattern emerging where the majority of their goals come at home (nine at home, three on the road). The team showed no signs of rust after the international break and will return to the CPKC Stadium friendly next Saturday for their first match against Alex Loera's new team Bay FC.