KC Current and the Orlando Pride Draw after 3.5-Hour Delay

The league-leading Kansas City Current hosted the defending champions, the Orlando Pride. While it was a clash between two of the top teams in the league, with Kansas City in first place and Orlando in third, the Current came into the match with an 11-point lead. Orlando is the only team to have defeated Kansas City at CPKC Stadium and is the team that ended the Current’s championship aspirations last season in the semifinals. The Current had yet to lose or draw at home this season until today, after a 0-0 draw.

A 3 1/2-hour weather delay due to the heat was the big storyline before kickoff. No one at the NWSL checked that we were going to be in a heat advisory, or the fact that the temperatures in August in Kansas City get pretty hot, but they scheduled a 3 pm game. PS. They knew, but they relied on “real-time, on-site weather data.” Kickoff finally came at 6:28 pm, and both teams were ready to play and get the most-anticipated game of the summer underway.

With Elizabeth Ball out due to a hip injury, defender Hailie Mace shifted to a center back position alongside Kayla Sharples. Elllie Wheeler and Izzy Rodriguez were at right back and left back, respectively. Claire Hutton, Lo’eau LaBonta, and Debinha controlled the midfield. Michelle Cooper, Bia Zanerrato, and Temwa Chawinga led the attack.

The Current started their attack early in the second minute with Claire Hutton taking a shot at goal, but it went wide. Michelle Cooper also sent a shot wide in the 7th minute. Orlando quickly countered, sending Chawinga to defend against Barbra Banda. While Chawinga won the ball, Banda landed awkwardly, and she exited the match in the 14th minute, which would impact the Orlando attack.

Neither team’s attack could break through, however. Chawinga had a small breakaway in the 36th minute, but Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorehouse went to collect the ball before Chawinga claimed possession. The first half ended with zero shots on target for both teams, with a 0.25 vs. xG 0.07.

The second half was exactly like the first half, with both teams fighting for possession and trying to get ahead. Kansas City’s attack spent more time trying to create chances, but they were quickly shut down by the Orlando defense. While Chawinga was playing higher, her chances were also limited.

In the 88th minute, as Kansas City regained possession, Bia saw Chawinga making a run, so she passed to the Current’s leading scorer. Chawinga only had Orlando defender Emily Sams to beat, and she did get past Sams, but that brought on triple defending, and Chawinga just could not get a good look. Bia, who appeared to be in a perfect position for a shot, sent it above the goal. The score remained 0-0 as the game headed to eight minutes of extra time, and it would end scoreless with one shot on goal each, with Bia having the last opportunity, but it went right to the keeper.