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Kansas City Current fall 3-2 at Angel City

Rodriguez and Kizer goals made it close

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3 years ago

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Credit: Thad Bell

The Kansas City Current fell to Angel City FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California Sunday evening. Angel City scored three in the first half and Kansas City responded with a pair in the second but could not  find the equalizer. The Current came into the match on a three-game win streak, all 2-0 victories. The only change from the last match was starting Michelle Cooper over Mimmi Larsson.

Angel City FC starting lineup:

The Current had opportunities in the first half but did not capitalize on those chances. One of the best chances occurred in the 9th minute when Cooper and Debinha had a two-on-one breakaway but Cooper did not play to the Brazilian international early enough, eventually taking the shot herself.

Budding US star and current rookie of the month Alyssa Thompson started the scoring for the home side in the 31st minute. Claire Enslie started it for Thompson who drove to the end line, pulling the ball back past a sliding Addisyn Merrick. Thompson then lasered a narrow-angle shot past KC keeper Cassie Miller that hit the far post, and rebounded back to the near post before bouncing across the goal line.

Interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom told media post-game that the Thompson goal and the crowd may have shaken the young back line for the rest of the first half.

Angel City’s second goal came when Jun Endo drove down their left side before crossing the ball across Kansas City’s box. Two attackers were crashing the far post past the KC defensive line. Emslie put a leg out and knocked it home to double the lead for Angel City in the 43rd minute.

Angel City was not satisfied with a pair of goals in the first half and kept up the pressure in stoppage time. It was Endo’s turn this time, threading a low shot under Miller and just inside the far post to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Coach Sjöblom made two changes at the half, bringing Izzy Rodriguez on for Merrick and Larsson on for Kate Del Fava. Sjöblom wanted to increase the attack, switching it from a five backline to a 4-3-3 with Larsson as a true nine. The move paid off for Kansas City and Rodriguez when she made a late run into the box. Cece Kizer fought off the defense and then played a ball back to Rodriguez at the corner of the Angel City box. Rodriguez slammed it home for her first professional goal in the 57th minute.

Just four minutes later, Kansas City narrowed the gap to a single goal. With consistent pressure, several Current players were part of the buildup that resulted in a shot by Debinha. DiDi Haračić made the stop but the ball deflected to Kizer. The Kansas City native wasted no time putting the ball back on the frame and bringing the score to just a 3-2 deficit.

The Current continued to fight but were unable to find the equalizer and interim coach Caroline Sjöblom suffered her first loss since taking over the team.

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SportingXK

KC’s attack continued to look dangerous in this match, and in fact mirrored their two-goal average that now extends over four games in all competitions. They could have easily netted a couple more with Cooper missing Debinha early on and then Kizer being denied in a 1 on 1 with the ‘keeper.
The concern from this game is, of course, the defense. It really will be great to get Elizabeth Ball back healthy because there were a few moments when the back line looked all out of sorts. I also wonder if it’s time to switch back to Franch in goal. Miller is strong on corners and made one really nice save, but also could have perhaps done a little more on the three goals. Franch started last season slowly before becoming a ‘keeper of the year nominee. Maybe she’s gotten the message again and will be locked in the rest of the way.

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Bryan (the artist formerly known as Chzbro)

I’m indifferent on Franch v Miller. I’m comfortable with either one. The defense is a different story. I don’t think it’s fair to lay it all at Merrick’s feet, but the 3 goals were all at least partially her fault. She was pretty good last week and just brutal in this match. Going to ground needlessly, not closing down crossers, getting beaten over and over… Rough. That’s why I like actual CBs (as opposed to converted RB/LBs) in a back 3. They’re slower, but they know how to defend in the box. We really need to get that sorted.

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Chad Smith

Yeah, Merrick has struggled. When Winebrenner played she struggled (though she didn’t have that potent midfield in front of her).

Maybe this team can do it in a back four with the setup that played in the second half, or even better, with Ball in there instead. I haven’t liked Mace at FB, but she played better in this game (though there were still plenty of second half chances for ACFC).

As much talent as this team has in the midfield and forward lines, the defense is a question mark, and at times it feels like they need a back three, just so there are two people there to cover for mistakes. Robinson looks like the real deal. The jury is out on Soto and Merrick. Ball coming into that mix and maybe even Loera would be interesting. I also wonder if Gautrat doesn’t have that in her bag. She’s not the biggest, but she’s a really smart player. And it gets better players on the field.

I’m very unsure, but if the defense can be decent, the offense looks to have the ability to be amazing. Outscoring everyone as I mistakenly thought SKC would be doing this year.

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