Match Preview: Utah Royals at KC Current

A few short weeks ago, it seemed very possible that the Kansas City Current could conclude 2024 with four trophies: Women’s Cup, Summer Cup, NWSL Championship, and the NWSL Shield. The first of those is already in the display case, but the rest? The likelihood of achieving those has taken a hit. To be clear, the Current remain just one win away from nabbing the Summer Cup–an October matchup with NJ/NY Gotham (in Texas, for some reason).

The NWSL Championship is also still very much in play, especially if the team figures out how to score on the road and how to avoid brief lapses in defense. The Shield, however, may already be out of play. In just three matches, Orlando has opened up a nine-point lead over KC and shows no signs of dropping many points.

This Saturday, the Current return from a two-match east coast trip that saw Chawinga set the NWSL record for consecutive matches with a goal (7!), but also saw the team earn zero points, score just those two Chawinga goals, and concede six to Washington and North Carolina.

Temwa is in a league of her own 🤯

7 matches. 8 goals. 1 new NWSL record.

Moment of the Match | @Palmer_Square pic.twitter.com/hSYmQoF2y0

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) September 2, 2024

The match against the Courage on Sunday was particularly frustrating as Temwa stoked KC to a second half lead, but twice an NC player was given too much space (first layer of defense was shaken too easily and second layer of defense was nonexistent) inside the 18 and laced shots inside the far post. After the lengthy rain delay and into stoppage time, the Current looked destined to depart Cary with at least one point, if not 3 as they were getting the better of the chances, but a 93rd minute winner to the Courage negated any positives.

There is no question that the Current are capable of scoring goals, but there is growing evidence that teams are figuring out how to frustrate KC and force them into high-volume but low-percentage shots. In last weekend’s game, for example, KC outshot NC 16 to 11, but NC had six of their shots on target to just four for the Current. If 75% of a team’s shots aren’t even testing the opposing keeper, then they basically amount to a turnover.

When the Current do score, it’s often simply an individual effort (see Temwa taking the ball off the feet of a defender and rounding the goalie), or a long ball over the top that allows the speedy forward to outpace everyone else. It feels like what this team needs more of is quality buildup play that actually leads to a clear chance on goal. The tally against Atletico Madrid a few weeks ago was exciting because it was exactly that. Watch at the 12:20 mark of this video:

That type of goal is very much the exception rather than the rule for the team this season. Yes, it’s great to have a striker with otherworldly speed and a nose for goal steal you some wins, but it may be even better to have a complete team that consistently breaks down opposing defenses with quick, precise passing and killer shots.

Speaking of having a complete team, the most recent starting lineup featured about four players who were on the roster last summer. It’s no secret that the front office made a number of player transactions during the offseason, but that very much continued with the August transfer window. As fans it can be hard to watch a player like Lavogez or Spaanstra be traded away (not to mention Del Fava, who returns to KC this weekend as part of the Royals), but with all the recent roster shuffling, one has to wonder if the team chemistry has taken a hit.

It’s going to naturally take time for players like Sharples, Jereko, Magaia, etc. to mesh with everyone else. There’s been a lot of statements like, “once Chawinga and Debinha are fully on the same page, watch out!” But if the team keeps introducing new players into the mix, how is anyone ever going to really be on the same page?

All this brings us to Saturday’s match, a needed homecoming and match against one of the league’s bottom feeders. Back in May, the Current traveled to Utah and managed a 1-0 win in a game in which they outshot their hosts 24-4. Despite the statistical dominance, it wasn’t until an Elizabeth Ball goal in the 58th minute that they could start to feel comfortable in the game. Can KC make it easier on themselves this time around?

As much as a match between the 3rd place and 13th place teams would seem to have the makings of a one-sided affair, it is true that one of these teams is on a 3-match losing streak (KC) and the other is on a 4-match unbeaten streak, including winning the last two (Utah). Not only have the Royals beaten the Dash and Bay FC in back-to-back weeks, but they actually finished first in their Summer Cup group, including a win over the Thorns. Over half of their 15 points have come in just their last four league matches, so they are definitely a team trending in the right direction.

With all that said, if Kansas City can’t earn the W in front of the CPKC fans in rather convincing fashion, it really may be time to reevaluate expectations for this team. The road doesn’t get any easier from here as the next three matchups for KC are against Orlando (1st), Washington (2nd), and Gotham (4th). Any sort of misstep at home against the expansion Royals and it’s easy to imagine this team taking a major tumble and maybe just backing their way into the playoffs. The chance at four trophies may be out of reach, but the goal of playing in front of home fans for the NWSL Championship just about requires a win this weekend.

WHEN: Saturday, September 7 at 6:30 PM (Central Time)

WHERE: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

HOW TO WATCH: ion/38 the Spot

Record:

KC Current: 10-5-3 (35 points, 3rd place in NWSL league standings)

Utah Royals: 4-3-11 (15 points, 13th place in NWSL league standings)

Last Match:

KC Current:1-2 away defeat to the North Carolina Courage

Utah Royals: 3-1 away win to the Houston Dash