KC Current
KC Current battle Gotham to a 2-2 draw
Rookie Spaanstra scores second goal in two games
The Kansas City Current entered the last match of the 2023 NWSL season knowing they were already eliminated from playoffs. While they knew they were out, Kansas City did not want to go down quietly. After a terrific 6-3 performance over Chicago last week, the Current wanted to end with another good result against NJ/NY Gotham FC. With the playoffs on the line for Gotham, they played for a win and dominated the early play.
Ultimately both sides played well and earned a deserved 2-2 draw. The Current finished the season in eleventh place with 26 points while Gotham just managed to hold on to a playoff spot in 6th with 31 points.
Gotham came out strong and forced normally sure-footed Alex Loera into a bad touch. Gotham midfielder Delanie Sheehan took the ball from Loera and slid it out to Midge Purce as she ran into the box. Purce threaded the shot between AD Franch, a sliding defender and the far post to put the home team up 1-0 in just the 6th minute.
GO ON @100Purcent!!!
🎥 » @NWSL
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 15, 2023
It did not take long for Gotham to double the lead. Former Kansas City defender picked out Yazmeen Ryan in the midfield. Ryan sliced through the Current defense, beating several defenders and Franch from point-blank range in the 15th minute.
Take. A. Bow!
Yazmeen Ryan with an absolutely stunning goal 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8guvqmrn2K
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
The momentum shifted in Kansas City’s favor after the Ryan goal and the quality play paid off for the Current. Loera picked out rookie Alexa Spaanstra on the far side, setting her up to take dribble at the defense. Spaanstra nutmegged outside back Jenna Nighswonger and dodged Purce making a run back before making driving to the center. Spaanstra took the shot with her weaker foot and looped the ball over keeper Mandy Haught and just into the upper corner in the 26th minute. Spaanstra scored a similar goal last match with her right foot.
Rookie Alexa Spaanstra's nutmeg sets up a gorgeous finish to pull one back for KC 👏 pic.twitter.com/eSYfJDdn0x
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
With the deficit cut in half, the Current pushed, pressured, and made runs that threw Gotham off their stride. As Haught tried to play out to defender Ali Krieger, Kristen Hamilton forced the Gotham keeper into an error. Hamilton got a touch on the pass but Haught battled her for the ball in the box until the Current forward finally gained control. Krieger made a run back and just blocked Hamilton’s shot. It was an effort that proved why Krieger has been a legend with the US Women’s National Team in the past. With this being Krieger’s last regular season game before retirement, she demonstrated that quality for the home fans once more.
ALI KRIEGER GOAL LINE SAVE pic.twitter.com/q70CFjxApC
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
Despite coming up short when Krieger made a save earlier, Kansas City did not relent. Loera demonstrated her playmaking ability once again when she played a ball over the top to Debinha. The Brazilian star was well clear of Gotham defenders so she cut in towards the box from the end line. The pass just missed Hamilton but found Nighswonger who knocked it in for an own goal in the 36th to level it at 2-2.
Kansas City force an own goal to tie this one up! pic.twitter.com/Ub5blIecXj
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 15, 2023
The remainder of the half went back and forth for both teams. After the break, Gotham again came out strong and dominated most of the second half. They were desperate for all three points and created more shots and dangerous opportunities. While Gotham fell short of the win, they did secure a playoff spot.
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This felt like a fitting ending to the season for KC. In fact, it almost mirrored how the season unfolded: early on finding themselves in a significant hole, in part due to some poor giveaways and defensive work (especially on the Ryan goal…so many people just stabbing at the ball); but then battling back and showing some attacking promise. I’m choosing to believe the future is bright for the Current. Not only will they hopefully be much healthier next season, but the pieces all seem to be there.
Very well said. The future does seem bright. But I think I said something to the effect of, ‘if they don’t make the NWSL Final, it’ll be a disappointment.’ And they got 11th. I’m hopeful though. They can’t be that unhealthy again, can they?
They’re going after Vlatko, right?
One would hope. Thad has told me nothing (as usual), but the way he hinted on multiple podcasts over the last couple months sure seems like it.
Next season should be pretty exciting.
Just the stadium will make it exciting. As stated above, they can’t have the number of injuries they had this year again – right? Defense seems problematic, but not exactly sure why. The parts all seem to be there. Would be awesome if Sam Mewis ever returned.
Don’t live in town, but plan to make a trip next year. My daughter was 8 in ’99 when we watched Brandy Chastain win the World Cup. That turned into a solid competitive/high school career for her and a lifelong love for the game that requires many mornings in the local Liverpool bar. Lots and lots and lots of parent/child bonding. Taking her to a women’s game, in their own stadium, in KC will seem like a culmination.
So, yeah, looking foward to a pretty exciting season next year.
Yeah sometimes the backline scares me, but if they can get it sorted out, they’ll be a force to reckon with. They will certainly have tons of fire power on the attacking side. Can’t wait!
Excellent! I have a 10 year old that plays and is really growing to love the beautiful game. I’m looking forward to taking her to some of our KC Current games next year!