Match Preview: KC Current host NJ/NY Gotham FC

The Kansas City Current host NJ/NY Gotham FC (3-1-0, 9 pts.), looking to add another win to the 2023 NWSL season.

When: Sunday, April 30
Where: Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, KS
Time: 5:00 PM CT
Stream: Paramount+
Radio: KC Current Radio on Kansas City Current app, featuring Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll-Letrinko

Kansas City leads all-time series: 2-0-2

Previous 4 Regular Season Matchups:
9/11/22 – Gotham 0:1 Kansas City
6/11/22 – Kansas City 1:0 Gotham
10/22/21 – Kansas City 1:1 Gotham
7/2/21 – Gotham 1:1 Kansas City

The game is an opportunity for the Current to turn around their season after a 0-3 start by a combined 9-3 scoreline. Last week, they earned their first victory by defeating the Orlando Pride 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. The win was the second of the week after a 2-0 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup opening win over the Houston Dash. The Current will face a tougher challenge this week, though, facing a Gotham team that is on a three-game winning streak, including Challenge Cup play. The Current will also have to contain Gotham forward Lynn Williams who has scored three goals in her four NWSL appearances for Gotham FC. She is also tied for second on the list of NWSL’s all-time goal scorers.

Players to Watch

Hailie Mace (KC) –  Mace is the the first Current player to have multiple assists in a regular season game, tying her for second in the league in that category as one of three players with multiple assists on the year. Mace’s five career assists are the most by any player in team history.

Lynn Williams (Gotham) – Williams has scored three goals in her four NWSL appearances for Gotham FC. Williams’ 10 shots on goal are just two shy of last season’s leader for the team (Ifeoma Onumonu -12).

Injury Report

KC Current Injury Report vs. Gotham FC:

OUT: Elizabeth Ball (hamstring), Morgan Gautrat (calf), Hanna Glas (knee), Kristen Hamilton (knee), Claire Lavogez (SEI – knee), Alex Loera (foot), Sam Mewis (SEI – knee), Desiree Scott (knee), Mallory Weber (SEI – knee)#KCBaby

— Cindy Lara (@cinderL9) April 29, 2023

Games Notes

• Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta will mark her 100 regular season start. She will be the 4th player with 100 or
  more career NWSL regular season starts, joining Vanessa DiBernardo – 141, Desiree Scott – 120, and Adrianna Franch – 119 as other players to hit the milestone.
• Kansas City is unbeaten in its four all-time matches with Gotham FC (W2 D2), including 1-0 victories last season.
• Five players on Gotham’s roster have spent part of their NWSL careers in Kansas City:
  • Kristen Edmonds (2021 and 2022)
  • Abby Smith, one of the original players assigned to Kansas City’s roster from Utah
  • Sinead Farrelly, one of the first players signed to the roster of FC Kansas City for the 2013 season
  • Kristie Mewis was FCKC’s first-ever pick in the 2013 NWSL Draft

Prediction

This will be a major test for Kansas City, but they have regained some confidence in the last week and a half. At best, this game ends in a draw, but if the Current cannot stop Williams, Gotham leaves with all 3 points.