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Chawinga Plays Hero in the Desert as KC Beats Utah

Published

6 months ago

on

Thad Bell

One of the things that the NWSL prides itself on is parity: any team can beat any other team on any given day. This is in stark contrast to many of the top leagues around the world. For example, two seasons ago the Chelsea women needed to win their final match of the season by several goals in order to overcome goal differential and claim the title. They were playing a team from lower down the table and so? No problem…an 8-0 win over Bristol City. The top three teams in the Women’s Super League that year combined for four losses. That same year, the winner of the Liga F, Barcelona, lost exactly zero times. Same with the winner in France this year, Lyonnes.

Contrast those top-heavy leagues with the NWSL in which, as recently as two seasons ago, the difference between the top team (San Diego Wave) and the bottom team (Chicago Red Stars) was just thirteen points. However, things may be starting to change. Last season in the NWSL, the difference between first (Orlando Pride) and last (Houston Dash) was 40 points (60 – 20). And this year, just past the midway point, the difference between first place Kansas City Current and last place Utah Royals was already 30 points heading into this weekend’s action. And so, to further test the theory of parity in this league, matchday 15 saw a battle between first and last as the Current ventured into Sandy, Utah to clash with the Royals.

Both teams headed into Friday night’s match with at least a little momentum. For the hosts, that came via a road draw against the reigning champions (and current second place team) Pride last weekend. It was just the sixth point they’d earned all season, but they actually held a lead for most of the match and reminded themselves that they can hang with anyone.

For the visiting Current, the momentum is really just a continuation of a season of success. The team’s win in Louisville last weekend was their seventh in a row and their 16th in the last 18 regular season matches dating to the end of last season. Additionally, 12 of those 16 wins have been by multiple goals as their +21 goal differential is more than double anyone else in the league this year.

In the brief history between (the current iterations of NWSL teams from) Utah and Kansas City, KC came in with a perfect 3-0-0 record, including a 3-0 with earlier this year at CPKC Stadium. And, not to be ignored, one week ago Kansas City swiped from Utah the young superstar generally considered to be their best player. How much field time Ally Sentnor would see with her brand new team (against her recently departed team) was uncertain, but it was just one more way in which the Current entered the match with the upper hand.

The bill of health for the Teal was as clean as it’s been in a while.

The Utah health status was similar with old friend Alex Loera still recovering from a torn ACL last year.

Looking at the players actually taking the field, first for the home side.

For KC, there were a few notable changes from the group that lined up against Louisville last Friday. After not even seeing the field last time out, Wheeler replaced Mace in the starting lineup today. Rocky Rodriguez stepped in for Lo LaBonta and Debinha resumed her normal starting spot in place of Flora Marta Lacho (who didn’t even make the gameday roster this time around). And finally, KC got to welcome back Lorena in goal following her successful stint with Brazil in the Copa América Femenina.

These changes are indicative of a team and coach with the benefit of a deep roster and the challenge of keeping everyone happy. Over the course of a full season, not requiring all a team’s star players to consistently play the full 90 should help keep more legs fresh in a year when the team hopes to be playing late into November.

With all this buildup, the worst versus first talk, the Ally Sentnor intrigue, the first 45 minutes were rather underwhelming. The stats at the break were nearly identical, with Utah actually having the slight edge with one more shot, one more shot on target, and 52% of the possession. That said, the more dangerous chances fell the way of KC as Cooper did stick one in the back of the net only to be called offside. The Current were also dangerous on corner kicks as one led to a Debinha shot that was deflected just wide and another very nearly led to an own goal, requiring a goal line clearance from Dorsey. The Royals had one quality chance that didn’t end up really testing Lorena.

For a team that has created an identity as a first half, race out of the gate and grab a (big) lead squad, KC has been shut out in the first half of the last three league games. Was this match just setting up for a second half Ally Sentnor contribution? She and LaBonta did sub on to start the second frame, replacing Hutton and Debinha.

Within the first minute of the second half, KC supporters likely thought their team was about to take the lead as a headed ball from Bia over the top found Chawinga racing behind the backline. As she attempted to round McGlynn, the Royals ‘keeper reached out and disrupted the play enough to prevent Temwa from getting the shot off.

The next 30 minutes played out much the same as the first half. In the 60th minute, Vlatko made the surprising move of exhausting his five substitutes by bringing on Long, Mace, and Prince. It was Mary Long that had the next golden chance when a ball fell to her within the six only to have her blast her shot well over the bar.

Besides that chance, though, the game seemed to be gradually tilting in the direction of Utah. Not that they were really forcing Lorena into dramatic saves, but they seemed to be the ones controlling more of the play, stringing together more passes, and almost immediately breaking up any forays forward for Kansas City.

Of course, if there’s one thing NWSL fans know about this Current team, the reigning MVP can create her on momentum. A beautiful long ball over the top from Sharples (her first career assist) found Chawinga inside the box who calmly flicked it over the onrushing McGlynn.

The 82nd minute goal not only gave Kansas City the lead but it gave the Malawian the NWSL record for fastest to 30 league goals, achieved in just 40 matches.

From this point on, the Current were content to simply try to stymie the Royals. Through the final eight minutes of regulation and six minutes of stoppage time, they were effective in preventing Utah from getting much in the way of quality chances…with the exception of the literal final touch when a cross found Lacasse inside the six who headed it just over the bar.

A sigh of relief and three points as the Current fly away from the mountain west with at least temporarily a 13-point lead in the standings. The team is back in action (and finally back at home) next Saturday afternoon hosting the always dangerous Orlando Pride.

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