KC Current fall 2-1 at Washington Spirit

KC Current went on the road to the Washington Spirit needing a win but came up short in a 2-1 loss.  The Current took the lead but gave up two second-half goals, virtually eliminating Kansas City from the playoffs.

Starters

Current interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom started as strong of a lineup as she could with Kristen Hamilton out for an excused absence. The only surprise was starting Hailie Mace at the nine although she did move around through the game.

Starters in the District 🫡#WASvKC | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/9t7UxxzZYS

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) September 30, 2023

Peep our Starting XI for tonight@CVSHealth | #ThatsTheSpirit pic.twitter.com/7S0LOdv3tS

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 30, 2023

The Spirit sat in the sixth spot but had five teams within four points of that last playoff spot. The Current was one of those teams. With the tightness in the standings and both teams striving to make the playoffs, both teams came out flying. Up and down the field action from kickoff through a large part of the first half with the first ten minutes especially chaotic.

The Current earned a penalty in the 19th minute. Mace deftly played the ball into the box for Michelle Cooper. The Current rookie was tripped up in the box by Spirit defender Sam Staab. Referee Eric Tattersall did not hesitate to point to the spot. Kansas City and Brazilian star Debinha stepped to the spot, burying it to the right of Aubrey Kingsbury to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.

Steps up and buries it. Did you expect anything else?? 💁‍♀️@Debinha7 | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/lULrUBjGPN

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) September 30, 2023

Kansas City took the 1-0 lead into the half. The styles could be determined by the halftime stats with Kansas City owning possession and shots on goal but Washington led in total shots with their quick transition offense.

The second half did not start as well for Kansas City although Mace did have a good shot from distanc that went over the bar. The Spirit started getting the better of the play, exerting pressure and winning a couple of corners. One of those corners paid off for Wahington. The Spirit played the ball over the box where Tara McKeown played back to Ouleymata Sarr. The French forward unleashed a right-footed shot from outside the box through traffic to the bottom left corner to make it 1-1.

Ouleymata Sarr with an absolute laser to equalize for the Spirit! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fnagyyRWqE

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 1, 2023

Washington put a dagger in Kansas City’s already slim playoff hopes in the 91st minute. Gabrielle Carle slipped a ball through the Current backline to Trinity Rodman breaking toward the goal. Rodman held off the Current defender and laced a ball past AD Franch for the game-winner.

The one, the only: Trinity Rodman. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/328M8mg6Jp

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 1, 2023

Kansas City returns home to wait for other results to see if they still have a chance. They next face Liga MX Femenil side CF Monterrey in a friendly on Wednesday and then the Chicago Red Stars in the last home NWSL game at Children’s Mercy Park.