Kansas City Current fall 3-2 at Angel City

The Kansas City Current fell to Angel City FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California Sunday evening. Angel City scored three in the first half and Kansas City responded with a pair in the second but could not  find the equalizer. The Current came into the match on a three-game win streak, all 2-0 victories. The only change from the last match was starting Michelle Cooper over Mimmi Larsson.

The Current lookin' strong on the West Coast 🫡#LAvKC | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/fNNSzUhDeK

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 7, 2023

Angel City FC starting lineup:

Here is your ACFC starting XI!#Volemos | #NWSL | #LAvKC | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/s3tSwOAj05

— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) May 7, 2023

The Current had opportunities in the first half but did not capitalize on those chances. One of the best chances occurred in the 9th minute when Cooper and Debinha had a two-on-one breakaway but Cooper did not play to the Brazilian international early enough, eventually taking the shot herself.

Budding US star and current rookie of the month Alyssa Thompson started the scoring for the home side in the 31st minute. Claire Enslie started it for Thompson who drove to the end line, pulling the ball back past a sliding Addisyn Merrick. Thompson then lasered a narrow-angle shot past KC keeper Cassie Miller that hit the far post, and rebounded back to the near post before bouncing across the goal line.

ALYSSA THOMPSON DELIVERING BANGERS!!!! @weareangelcity 😍 pic.twitter.com/FMpD66FUhX

— Liz ✏️ (@Chickenwingg13) May 8, 2023

Interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom told media post-game that the Thompson goal and the crowd may have shaken the young back line for the rest of the first half.

Angel City’s second goal came when Jun Endo drove down their left side before crossing the ball across Kansas City’s box. Two attackers were crashing the far post past the KC defensive line. Emslie put a leg out and knocked it home to double the lead for Angel City in the 43rd minute.

Double trouble

A gorgeous cross and impressive finish from Claire Emslie gives Angel City a 2-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/VX8jxZ3NaL

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2023

Angel City was not satisfied with a pair of goals in the first half and kept up the pressure in stoppage time. It was Endo’s turn this time, threading a low shot under Miller and just inside the far post to make it 3-0 at halftime.

Angel City can't stop scoring!

Jun Endo makes it 3-0 with this class finish right before halftime ✨ pic.twitter.com/XajjOpFa5K

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2023

Coach Sjöblom made two changes at the half, bringing Izzy Rodriguez on for Merrick and Larsson on for Kate Del Fava. Sjöblom wanted to increase the attack, switching it from a five backline to a 4-3-3 with Larsson as a true nine. The move paid off for Kansas City and Rodriguez when she made a late run into the box. Cece Kizer fought off the defense and then played a ball back to Rodriguez at the corner of the Angel City box. Rodriguez slammed it home for her first professional goal in the 57th minute.

Izzy Rodriguez said hold up, this one's not over yet

What a finish for her first pro goal! pic.twitter.com/hCxwUUxs7C

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2023

Just four minutes later, Kansas City narrowed the gap to a single goal. With consistent pressure, several Current players were part of the buildup that resulted in a shot by Debinha. DiDi Haračić made the stop but the ball deflected to Kizer. The Kansas City native wasted no time putting the ball back on the frame and bringing the score to just a 3-2 deficit.

GAME ON!!

Cece Kizer pulls another goal back for Kansas City, and we've got an instant classic on our hands 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4mrPP6DJW3

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2023

The Current continued to fight but were unable to find the equalizer and interim coach Caroline Sjöblom suffered her first loss since taking over the team.