KC Current lose fourth straight in the regular season, falling to the Houston Dash 2-0

The Kansas City Current returned to Children’s Mercy Park in a must-win matchup against the Houston Dash, who has become quite the rival for the Current over the last year.  The Current have lost four straight matches in all competitions after a three-match winning streak in April. Facing one of the teams with struggles of their own to the season with a 2-3-3 record in the seasons and winless in their last three road games, a win for the Current would hopefully be a turnaround to a disappointing start so far.

Starting XI

Hoping for a win, head coach Caroline Sjöblom opted for a few changes to the starting eleven, going with a 5-3-2 formation, with Izzy Rodriguez, Addisyn Merrick, Gabrielle Robinson, Croix Soto, and Hailie Mace at the backline; Vanessa DiBenardo (Captain), Debinha, and Jenna Winnebrenner at the midfield; and Cece Kizer and Mimmi Larsson on the attack. The formation allowed Mace and Rodriguez to move up the flanks and continued shifting of players on the field. Notably, Lo’eau LaBonta was on the bench for the start.

Let rivalry night commence 👊#KCvHOU | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/bnVBnsOsmb

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 26, 2023

First half: Tale as old as time….

The Current came into this half, hoping to not give up the usual goals, at least 2, that have led to their defeat in recent games. At kickoff, the Current were second in the league with most goals against (16). With five defenders, Kansas City looked to sit back and stop the Houston attack. With that many numbers at the back, the Current’s attack failed to produce major chances, and Houston managed to find gaps.

Kansas City’s best chances did come in the 27th and 28th minutes, with Larsson with an attempt in the 27th, but it was saved by Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell. That led to a corner kick and Soto found a shot in the 28th, but again that attempt was saved by Campbell. Houston’s counter in the 30th led to a chance in the 31st, with goalkeeper Cassie Miller having a fantastic save of her own.

Houston broke through in the 42nd minute, though. The Current again would trail going into the second half.

HOUSTON BREAK THROUGH!

María Sánchez and Diana Ordóñez combine beautifully to put the Dash in front. pic.twitter.com/ERmvJsCQPz

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 27, 2023

Second half: Tale as old as time…true as it can be

To start the second half, Michelle Cooper replaced Cece Kizer. There were a few bright moments for the Current to equalize and nearly did, with Cooper working to create for Kansas City.

51' | Cooper putting in work up top trying to make something happen. She sends a cross but it runs through the box untouched. Goal kick for Houston.

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 27, 2023

But again, it was Houston who put a dash in the Current’s hopes (see what I did there?) and made it 2-0 in the 54th minute.

Make it two!!

Ally Prisock heads home Houston's second of the night – her first regular season NWSL goal! pic.twitter.com/Lxk2BfQQ8O

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 27, 2023

Following the goal, Sjöblom brought in three substitutions in the 62nd: LaBonta for Winebrenner, Kristen Hamilton for Larsson, and Kate Del Fava for Rodriguez. The subs kept the ball mostly on the attack for the Current, but they were often one final touch away from a goal, or just could not quite connect in the final third, and when the team did have opportunities, they went way over the goal. They were also facing a veteran goalkeeper, Campbell, who marked 10,000 minutes in the 48th minute of this game.

At full-time, the Current lost their lost fifth straight game in all competitions and fourth straight in the regular season.

Note: If the front office was not satisfied with the previous head coach’s 0-3 start to the season, this latest winless streak must lead to further changes.