KC Current with another loss, falling to Racing Louisville, 2-0

The Kansas City Current (2-5-0) returned to Children’s Mercy Park to play their third game in 8 days, facing Racing Louisville (1-2-4), a familiar opponent from Wednesday evening’s UKG Challenge Cup match. Kansas City featured a younger starting lineup on Wednesday in Louisville that included midfielder Rylan Childers, defender Izzy Rodriguez, and forward Alex Spaanstra. The Current fell 3-1 in that game and are 0-2 in their last two regular-season games, losing to Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC. Kansas City has now also lost three straight games in all competitions and looked to gain a significant win this Saturday evening.

Starting XI 

The Current kept the 4-3-3 formation. Goalkeeper Cassie Miller regained the starting spot. Forward Kristen Hamilton, after suffering a preseason injury, was once again available off the bench and expected to make her 2023 season debut.

Your starters this evening 🤩#KCvLOU | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/0UpCd3wxIt

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 20, 2023

First half: A tale of the usual, defensive mistakes

The Current spent the first five minutes in their own half, but the KC backline of Hailie Mace, Croix Soto, Gabby Robinson, and Kate Del Fava defended the early pressure. But by the 10th minute, the Current offense changed the momentum and had built the attack, nearly scoring on a couple of occasions. A mistake in the 12th minute led to Racing Louisville taking the lead. A soft back pass from Croix Soto to GK Cassie Miller with pressure from Louisville’s Savannah DeMelo made it 1-0.

.@Savannah_DeMelo cannot be stopped right now pic.twitter.com/oPos5VbpvF

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2023

As the Current tried to respond to the goal while trying to bring numbers up the field, the backline was caught in a counterattack and could not transition to stop the Louisville attack. In the 27th minute, DeMelo again pushed forward on the fast break and passed to Kirsten Davis, who was wide open to take the shot for the goal. Though reviewed for offside by VAR, and David did look slightly offside, the goal stood to make 2-0.

Perfect passing for #RacingLou's second goal pic.twitter.com/EdBZwrwVUH

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2023

Second half: Working offense, no goals

A change in the defense for the second half brought in Addisyn Merrick for Soto. Merrik has played seven games for the Current so far. Down 2-0, the Current’s attack worked to get a goal, and they had a variety of chances, but the Louisville defense withstood every opportunity, keeping the lead. The Current often hesitated on their shots though, giving the Louisville defense time to regroup and interfere with the attack.

Despite the offensive pressure in the second half, the Current could not get anything on goal, and fell 2-0, marking their fourth straight games in all competitions and third straight in the regular season. The good news: Kristen Hamilton returned, making her 2023 season debut, replacing Michelle Cooper in the 81st minute. Also another bit of good news:

Attendance @ Children's Mercy Park for KC Current vs. Racing Louisville: 10,603

Current continuing to build their fan base. Important with the new stadium opening next year. Should numbers keep up, that stadium is going to be full. Also, important for the #NWSL in KC.#KCBaby

— Cindy Lara (@cinderL9) May 21, 2023