KC Current lose to San Diego Wave FC 2-0

The Kansas City Current returned to Children’s Mercy Park hosting San Diego Wave FC after a 3-2 loss last Sunday at Angel City FC. Like the Current, the Wave came into the game looking for a win. At game time, San Diego was on a two-game losing streak. The Current defeated the Wave in the last meeting in August 2022 with a 2-1 road win. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in the only other meeting in 2022. 

For the Current, a return to Children’s Mercy Park, in front of a home record crowd of 12,969, breaking the club’s home attendance record set on April 1 with 11,301 fans, was yet another opportunity to steer the course of their 2023 season after a 0-3 start.

Starting XI

Head Coach Caroline Sjöblom made a change to the goalkeeper position, giving AD Franch the starting role again after Cassie Miller started the last three games. Forward Kristen Hamilton, after being unavailable all season due to a knee injury, returned to the 18, but did not see any game time. The team started with four defenders, a switch Sjöblom made last week in LA, hoping it would stop players like Alex Morgan.

Time to catch a wave 🌊#KCvSD | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/NBRSHEqf1C

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) May 14, 2023

First half: Wave overtake the Current

The first half appeared to be the Current’s, at least in the first 15 of the game, with a near goal opportunity in the 5th minute. Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo served a ball to forward Cece Kizer, who took a left-footed shot, but it was saved by Wave goalkeeper Kaelin Sheridan. In the 11th minute, Mimmi Larsson’s shot from a difficult angle on the left missed to the left. In the 15th minute, Kizer, again, found an opportunity with a header after a corner, but it missed to the left.

But despite the early opportunities, it was San Diego who converted their chances, and made it 2-0 by the end of the first half. An own goal by AD Franch, after an Alex Morgan shot, gave the Wave a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute. In the 44th minute, San Diego’s Belle Briede’s right-footed shot went in for the second goal, making 2-0.

Charlie’s Mom opens the scoring in KC!

🎥 » @NWSL
pic.twitter.com/k9HmsfasrJ

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) May 14, 2023

Helluva goal from the @sandiegowavefc! pic.twitter.com/KCIjCMDus0

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 14, 2023

Second half: Another strong start, but no goals

The Current played a sloppy first half. Though there were chances with five shots, two of them on goal, and 51% of the possession, they easily lost possession plenty of times and appeared to fade, losing the attacking momentum of the first 15. The Current would need a strong second half to pull the comeback. There was a switch at the half, with Izzy Rodriguez coming in for Mimmi Larsson, allowing for Hailie Mace to move up and Michelle Cooper to switch to the number 9 position. With Addisyn Merrick coming in for Kate Del Fava in the 67th minute, the Current switched to a three-back system, hoping to bring numbers forward.

But every effort for the Current failed, including the 20 total shots for the game. Kansas City found themselves losing another game they could have won had they been clinical. The Current are now 2-5-0 for the season.

The Current take a trip to Kentucky for a Wednesday UKG Challenge Cup match against Racing Louisville FC this Wednesday. Then return to Children’s Mercy Park to host Racing Louisville at 7pm for season play the following weekend on Saturday.