KC Current defeat Tigres 4-1 in Summer Cup

The Kansas City Current defeated Tigres UANL 4-1 Thursday night in the last match of NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Group C matches.

It didn’t take long once the match kicked off before the Current and Tigres got off to a physical start as both Michelle Cooper, Hallie Mace, and Vanessa DiBernardo made strong opening statements with physical challenges. Tigres spent the majority of the first half scrambling to sort out Kansas City’s immense high pressure on their midfield and backline, resulting in the Current pickpocketing mistimed passes left and right. The Current had multiple chances in and around the box after taking advantage of multiple poor Tigres turnovers, leaving the visitor’s from Mexico on their heels and gassed. The first real look of the night came in the 22nd minute after a hard foul committed against Michelle Cooper, drawing a free kick outside the box. DiBernardo delivered the free kick on a silver platter to a near post dashing Lo’eau LaBonta who headed the ball out of Tigres keeper, Auroro Santiago’s reach, giving Kansas City the lead. Only 5 minutes later did Kansas City make their second stamp on the match with Vanessa DiBernardo’s second assist of the night, chipping a ball across the 18 to an unmarked left-back, Elllie Wheeler, who gave the Current their second goal off a header on the night.

Summing up the half, Tigres could not keep up with Kansas City in most areas of the field. AD Franch had a few routine saves that she made, but KC were the aggressors all half. Tigres turnovers between the midfield and backline were causing them major issues that Kansas City were glad to take advantage of. KC outshot UANL 10-2 in the first half and had five corners to their one.

As for the home side, Cooper, DiBernardo, and Labonta had a found incredible success down the right flank of the field giving KC most of their looks. Alana Cook – making her first start in the teal and red – was utilized often on set pieces, taking advantage of her aerial presence in the box. This is something that the KC backline hasn’t really had in previous center back pairings of Robinson, Ball, or Lauren. We’ve seen it briefly with Stine Ballisager, but with Cook alongside her, we saw her play deeper throughout the half.

Second Half

Second half began with KC Current midfielder Bayley Feist entering the match for Vanessa DiBernardo, who played as strong and steady as she has all season. Tigres seemed to enter the half with a newfound spark in the attack, as they were noticeably targeting the Current’s right side. In the 56th minute, Tigres forward, Thembi Kgatlana, finds the ball in the box, quickly touching and passing the ball around Cook and Franch, bringing the match within one in the 55th minute. Debinha had something to say about Tigres goal, however, as just a minute later she slots a ball around an outstretched Santiago bringing the match to 3-1 in the 57th minute.

Perhaps one of the coolest moments of the match, however, came in the 70th minute with a round of KC substitutions, featuring #94 Claire Lavogez in what IS likely her last appearance for the club as she replaced Debinha. Despite no official announcement from the league or team, Claire has made multiple social media posts indicating a departure from Kansas City. Judging by the electric response from the crowd and the “We love you, Claire” chants – it seemed that the fans knew this would be likely be their last chance seeing her wear the KC crest.

Other substitutions in the match included Izzy Rodriguez for Michelle Cooper and Alexa Spaanstra for Kristen Hamilton – as well as Regan Steigleder for Hallie Mace.

In the 79th minute an Izzy Rodruigez throw-in to a beautiful outside-of-the-foot first touch by Claire Hutton, completely leaves the Tigres defender in the dust, before she tucked the ball into the far side netting to score her first ever professional goal in absolute style. Go off, Claire Hutton!

KC closed out the match with a 4-1 scoreline and concluded group stage of the Summer Cup with nine points and a goal differential of +8 in the competition. Both of the Summer Cup semifinal matches will be hosted at CPKC Stadium on August 6^th. The first match will be played at 4pm and the Current will face their foe at 8pm.