Current Fall on the Road in Rhode Island

The Kansas City Current lost for the seventh time on the road this season 1-0 to Boston Legacy FC on Saturday evening in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The loss in KC’s first game without two time reigning MVP, Temwa Chawinga is their seventh of the season as KC falls to 8-7-1 on the season. KC’s offense continued to struggle without Michelle Cooper. Add in Chawinga’s absence for the WAFCON and the offense really struggled to find the gears offensively.

Despite being without those two, the Current almost got off to a dream start in the second minute when a short corner led to a cross by Croix Bethune to Haley Hopkins at the far post, but her header hit the cross bar and away from goal. After the early warning from the Current, Boston built themselves into the game and were able to control play with their high pressure. In the 18th minute Boston grabbed the lead through Aissata Traore. After a Boston corner was cleared only as far as Barbara Olivieri who stepped got her own shot off. Her shot deflected off teammate, Bianca St-Georges, right into the path of Traore, who one times her shot into the goal. It’s the eleventh time in thirteen games that the Current have fallen behind in a game.

KC almost responded immediately as in transition, Bethune found Hopkins who was in behind the Boston defense. A good save by Casey Murphy in goal and recovering defense from Boston throwing Hopkins off kept KC from capitalizing.

The game from there became more balanced with each team having stretches of possession, but KC looked the more dangerous team going forward. In first half stoppage time KC had a golden chance to find an equalizer as Bethune forced a turnover just outside the Boston box. After winning possession she was able to dribble into the box, but ended up shooting right at Murphy who made the save.

KC changed their style a bit to start the second half as Chris Armas subbed on Vanessa DiBernardo for Gianna Paul. The sub almost paid dividends early in the second half as KC had a couple of good opportunities as Debinha had a shot blocked by St-Georges and then Murphy mad another save to keep it 1-0. KC kept up the high pressure and again forced a turnover near the Boston box, this time by DiBernardo who found Debinha alone near the penalty spot but Boston’s defense recovered before the Brazilian could get a shot off.

Five minutes later it was Boston’s turn to miss a great chance to score as former KC Current winger, Nichelle Prince got played in behind KC’s defense. She rounded goalkeeper Marisa Jordan and played the ball back into the middle for Traore who had the whole goal to shoot for from six yards out but she ended up putting the shot wide of the empty net, keeping the score 1-0.

KC controlled much of the second half, playing in Boston’s half of the field but really struggled to create clear chances against Boston’s defense. The Current threw on Penelope Hocking and Amelia White to try to help KC find the offensive spark but still really struggled to test Murphy late on in the game.

In fact the best chance as the game wound down came to Boston who had a shot that Jordan did a good job of tipping onto the bar before it was cleared by KC’s defense.

The six minutes of second half stoppage time grew as in stoppage time, Boston’s Ella Stevens was sent off after VAR review for an elbow to the head of Kayla Sharples. With a man advantage for five to six minutes though KC still struggled to create chances offensively and really looked devoid of ideas on how to create them other than trying to get the ball wide and play crosses.

The loss keeps Kansas City on 25 points and in sixth place in the NWSL standings. The Current could fall to seventh place depending on results of Sunday’s games.

KC will be back on the field on Wednesday at CPKC Stadium to take on Racing Louisville.