KC Current begin Summer Cup with a 3-1 win

We are officially in the Olympic break, and in no way could we have gone 6 weeks without the NWSL, and that’s why we have the NWSX x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, the first tournament between the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil. The tournament features all 14 NWSL clubs and six teams from the Liga MX Femenil, including Tigres UANL, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca, and Tijuana. The Current are in Group C along with the Dash, Pachuca and Tigres UANL.

Up first for the Current: the Houston Dash at CPKC Stadium, a familiar opponent whom the Current have faced twice already in the NWSL season, with a win and a draw. But this is a brand new competition, and the stats from the NWSL season stay in the season.

Starting XI

With a quite a few players unavailable due to injuries, excused absences, and international duty, the starting XI looked different than what we’re used to, with players getting an opportunity to start, and the return of Vanessa DiBenardo, who had been sidelined since June 14, which is really good news for this Kansas City team.

Note on the image below: Mace actually played CB, switching spots with Wheeler.

Image: nwslsoccer.com

First half things

The Kansas City Current attack came out dashing towards goal immediately after kickoff. The effort paid off as Temwa Chawinga found Michelle Cooper in the box, giving the Current an early lead.

MICHELLE COOPER WITH A GOAL A MINUTE IN FOR @THEKCCURRENT 💪

What a ball from Temwa Chawinga 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xLsE0j5I6J

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 21, 2024

But if we thought this would be a high-scoring first half, it was not. The Current appeared lethargic and gave Houston an opportunity to score in the 20th minute. At the end of the first half, the Current managed 7 shots, 3 on goal.

Yuki dials in from distance ☎️ pic.twitter.com/IBEa6d7DRh

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 21, 2024

Second half things

With the way the first half ended, this game ending in a draw seemed possible, and if it remained in a draw, the game would go to penalty kicks. Thankfully, it would not come to that as the Current came out in the second half more energized to finish the game with a win in regulation, even though the team seemed disjoined in connecting passes in the first half. But Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski brought in two veteran players to help stabilize the game: Kristen Hamilton and Desiree Scott. And this team just finds ways to win, and the goals highlights below are proof of that.

CELLY QUEEN COMES IN CLUTCH 👑@L0momma making her mark 👏@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/4z6eukpuW5

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) July 21, 2024

Kristin Hamilton springs into action to make it 3️⃣ for @thekccurrent ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/nwU0uWW3sU

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) July 21, 2024

With the win, the Current are tied with Tigres UANL, and Kristen Hamilton’s goal was her 40th of her career. The Current face Pachuca at CPKC Stadium next Saturday.