Foundational rhythm fueling Kansas City Current’s orchestra

In the 25^th minute of the Kansas City Current’s 2-0 win over Carolina Courage in the NWSL v Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup Semifinal Tuesday evening at CPKC Stadium, forward Michelle Cooper tracked back well into her own half to tackle a Courage attacker. Without Cooper’s disruption, the Current would have been numbers down on their right flank and left hoping cover would arrive in time.

All formidable forces have a foundation they grow out of. The Kansas City Current – now in the finals of the Summer Cup and sporting only one regular season loss in 16 – are a formidable force. Like Fleetwood Mac grew out of the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood on drums and McVie on bass, the Beatles out of Starr and McCartney, and Maroon 5 out of Dusick and Madden, the Current have an ever-solidifying foundation.

Cooper’s effort is only one example. There are plenty others that eventually enable – or even inspire – lead players like Temwa Chawinga or Debinha to score goals like they did Tuesday night.

“We are doing really well on our transitions. We are an aggressive team defensively; everybody has to do their job,” said Goalkeeper AD Franch after the match.

And that is the essence, the foundation, the rhythm section of the Kansas City Current: Everybody.

More distinctly, it is the cooperative, fighting, tenacious, never-give-in spirit that informs the Current’s growth.

KCSoccerJournal contributor Coleman Childers highlighted the midfield in his match recap: “The midfield trio of Hutton, LaBonta, and DiBernardo seem to possess a sixth sense with their ability to predict Courage passing lanes, cut them off, win the ball back, and begin an attack.”

Behind the midfield is the backline, now accentuated by the presence of two-time NWSL Defender of the Year, Alana Cook, obtained by the Current July 22^nd.  At times, Cook pushed up to pressure an opposing forward in the seam between the Current backs and midfield, Claire Hutton taking up for Cook in the back as Cook did so.

“Alana is a good leader in there; she sees the game; she reads the game,” said Franch, after Cook’s just second start. “And she is quick to figure people’s tendencies. It is [also] a testament to the players around us allowing her to settle in and be her.”

Everybody’s fighting spirit and the cooperation between all enables the Current to play the game the way it is supposed to be played, with organization and a recognizing interchange of spatial relationships, all while persisting in every encounter on the pitch. Everyone knows their role, and everyone is allowed to read the moment. To state it musically – The Current are a well-rehearsed and talented orchestra that sometimes creates a symphony. Most importantly, they are always in concert.

And that unity allows for not just tactical adjustments within a match, but effective adjustments.

In the 2^nd half, Manager Vlatko Andonovski put the Current in a 4-2-3-1 with Debinha, DiBernardo, Cooper, and Chawinga rotating in the four attacking spots and Lo LaBonta pairing with Hutton in defensive midfield.

The teamwork and understanding of opportunities in space allow Debinha and company to interchange and pop up where and when needed.

“With LaBonta, DiBernardo, Hutton, if I have the opportunity to go in or wide, I will try to do my best,” stated Debinha. “Playing with them, they always make me better. I just want to enjoy it.”

LaBonta joked afterwards, “I’m really good at just chilling back there and watching my team do great things.”

Meanwhile Halie Mace often found joy on the right flank racing to or near the touchline paint.

Thus, the Current’s orchestra is spiced with moments of individuals shining, sometimes in solo, sometimes in duets. Case in point, the Current’s second goal in which a following Debinha put away a solo effort from Chawinga.

The Current are making each other better. And all involved – players and fans alike – get to enjoy the joyous rhythm in concert.