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KC Current win 4-2 on their return to CPKC Stadium

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Photo Credit: Thad Bell | KC Soccer Journal

After three games on the road, the Kansas City Current returned to CPKC Stadium to play in front of their home town fans to host Racing Louisville. The last game at home for the Current was on May 11, so the return was all hype, especially for the club’s celebration of Pride Night. Racing, having won four of their last six games and coming unbeaten in four straight road games, looked to give Kansas City a tough game. The Current, though, are the only team in the NWSL without a loss or a draw at home this year, and this game was not any different as KC continued that streak.

Starting XI

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski went with a pretty similar starting lineup and formation from last week, 4-3-3. The only difference was Izzy Rodriguez at left back instead of Ellie Wheeler. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta missed another game due to the knee injury suffered during national team duty. Midfielder Vanessa DiBenardo wore the Captain’s armband for the second game in a row in LaBonta’s absence.

How the first half went

It started like a usual game at CPKC Stadium with the Current taking the lead pretty early, scoring three goals before the clock struck 20 minutes. To be fair to Louisville, the first goal caught them off guard as it was an owl goal in the second minute. Michelle Cooper, who started the attack early, sent a ball high for one of her teammates to head it in. In an attempt to clear that ball away, Louisville defender Lauren Milliet headed it in the direction towards goal, giving the Current the 1-0 lead.

Racing appeared to gain control of the next 10 minutes and made their way into the Current’s half. Savannah DeMelo had a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it went right. At the 15th minute mark, it all changed, and the Current doubled their lead to 2-0 as Hailie Mace sent a long ball from the backline to Michelle Cooper, who was already making a run in preparation. Cooper beat her defender and headed right for goal as she met with the ball. It was just Cooper and Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer at this point, giving Cooper a perfect opportunity to score her fourth goal of the season.

For the Current’s third goal of the evening, it all started with Mace again (what a season she’s having, right?) sending a pass to Bia Zaneratto in the box who did a back heel pass to DiBenardo. With no other option than to pass back to Bia, DiBenardo did just that as Bia was left unmarked. DiBenardo placed it perfectly for Bia to just send the ball in for a goal, her fourth of 2025 so far. For DiBenardo, the assist was her 31st of her career, officially tying the all-time assist record.

How the second half went

Racing Louisville almost pulled the comeback. Emphasis on almost. It took them to the 62nd minute to get on the board due to some disorganization from the Current defense. When forward Janine Sonis met with the lose ball, she was wide open. Her shot took a bounce towards goal, enough to get past Current goalkeeper Lorena.

Set pieces continue to be a work in progress for the Current, and we saw it tonight on Racing’s second goal off a corner kick in the 88th minute, and just like that Louisville was one goal away from ruining the party at CPKC Stadium. But Temwa Chawinga, who was kept from scoring all evening, closed out the game with her eight goal of the season, sending the crowd into a frenzy as she used her speed and skills to beat defenders.

With the win, the Kansas City Current improved to 10-2-0, remaining at the top of the table, and winning their fifth consecutive game. The Current close out the first half of the season at CPKC Stadium on Friday, June 20 versus Angel City.

 

 

 

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