Month: August 2022

KC Current travel to San Diego today

The Kansas City Current (5-4-4, 19pts, 6th place) begin August with a pivotal road battle against league-leading San Diego Wave FC (7-3-4, 25pts, 1st place) at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.

The match will stream nationally on Paramount+ and be broadcast locally on KMCI, 38 the Spot.

Kansas City carries the second-longest unbeaten streak in the entire NWSL heading into Sunday’s match. The Current had to battle back from a 2-0 second-half deficit to draw 2-2 with the Orlando Pride on July 31. After the Pride took a two-goal lead in the 46th minute, Current forward Elyse Bennett scored in the 57th minute to cut the Pride’s lead to 2-1. In the 82nd minute, forward Cece Kizer chipped Orlando’s goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an empty net to tie the match at 2-2. The draw extended the Current’s franchise-best unbeaten streak to eight matches.

San Diego also enters Sunday’s match on a tear, with the expansion side having lost just one match in the last two months. Most recently, the Wave downed the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 on July 30. 17-year-old midfielder Jaedyn Shaw scored the contest’s lone goal in the 28th minute, becoming the youngest player to score on an NWSL debut in league history in the process. The Wave weathered 20 total Chicago shots in the shutout victory.

‘The Destroyer’ returns

The Current received a massive midfield boost against Orlando, as team captain Desiree Scott made her first appearance for the club since June 18. Scott had been competing in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship with Canada and guided the team to a second-place finish, with Canada narrowly falling to the United States in the Gold Medal Match.

Scott started all five of Canada’s matches and logged 363 minutes. Despite finishing the tournament in second place, Scott and Canada did secure automatic qualification for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

Scott started and played 74 minutes for the Current in Sunday’s match and supplied her always-steady defensive presence in the middle of the park. Having played the fourth-most minutes of any Kansas City player in 2022, Scott could feature heavily down the stretch as the Current push for their first-ever playoff berth.
Rookie defender Jenna Winebrenner also made her first appearance for the Current in over a month after suffering an injury on June 4. Winebrenner, who made her eighth appearance of the regular season on Sunday against Orlando, came on for the final 12 minutes of the contest.

Clutch play

Stepping up in crucial moments has become commonplace for Kizer since her arrival in Kansas City on June 9.

Her first Current goal came in just her second appearance, lacing a long-range shot that drew Kansas City level with the Chicago Red Stars on June 18. Kizer’s goal helped the Current extend its unbeaten streak at the time to four matches, and she’s continued her run of form from there.

Kizer recorded what stood as the game-winning assist in the team’s 2-1 win over the Houston Dash on July 1, then scored the game-winning goal in the Current’s 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit on July 10. Her impressive finish to level last Sunday’s match against Orlando stood as her third game-tying or go-ahead goal this season, all of which have come during the team’s ongoing eight-match unbeaten streak.

League taking notice

The Current’s eight-match unbeaten streak officially lasted through July with Kansas City’s 2-2 draw with Orlando. Thanks to the Current’s ascent up the NWSL table, the league is taking notice of the season that several Current players are having.

For the first time in club history, Kansas City had four players selected to July’s NWSL Team of the Month. Goalkeeper A.D. Franch, who recorded two shutouts and had a win-preserving penalty kick save against Washington, led the way as the league’s top goalkeeper of the month. The selection marked Franch’s third team of the month nod in her decorated NWSL career.

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta recorded her second-ever appearance in an NWSL Team of the Month with her inclusion in July’s XI. LaBonta scored twice in July and provided the game-tying assist to Kizer’s goal against Orlando last Sunday. Midfielder Hailie Mace and defender Kristen Edmonds rounded out the Current players honored, with both earning their first NWSL Team of the Month selection. The Current’s four representatives in July’s NWSL Team of the Month was the highest mark in the league, and Kansas City was one of three teams to have multiple nominees.

Next home match

The Current encourages fans from across the region to #ShowUpKC for the team’s next home match at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday, Aug. 19, against Angel City FC. The team looks to break the all-time Kansas City attendance record and fill the seats with over 10,000 fans.

Visit www.KansasCityCurrent.com/tickets for more information on single-match tickets.

Players to watch

Kansas City Current defender Elizabeth Ball — The Current’s stout defense has been a recurring theme throughout the team’s eight-match unbeaten streak, and Ball’s constant presence in Kansas City’s backline has been a large reason why. Kansas City has conceded just seven goals since May 26, tied for the lowest mark in the NWSL during that time, while also recording four shutout victories. Ball has played the fifth-most minutes in all competitions of any Current player in 2022, and she is nearing career-highs in minutes played, starts and total appearances in an NWSL season.

San Diego Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan — Chicago’s most significant scoring opportunity last Saturday against San Diego came when the Red Stars won a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. Forward Mallory Pugh’s spot kick seemed destined for the bottom right corner, but Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan stretched and made a fingertip save to deny Pugh’s effort, keeping the score at 1-0. Sheridan was nominated for the NWSL Player of the Week award for her efforts and won the NWSL Save of the Week. Sheridan is also a goalkeeper for the Canadian National Team and was named to the ConcacafW Championship Best XI. The 2021 NWSL Best XI member has 30 saves in 2022.

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Newcomers Agada, Thommy score first KC goals in 4-2 win

Forward Willy Agada celebrated after scoring his second goal in Sporting Kansas City’s 4-2 win over the L.A. Galaxy. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City ended its offensive drought with a shower of goals against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Recently signed forward Willy Agada made it rain with two first-half goals, on the way to a 4-2 win Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.

Agada’s fellow newcomer Erik Thommy opened the scoring in the 10th minute, chesting a well-placed ball from Roger Espinoza and then blasting it on the volley inside the far post from the right corner of the 6-yard box, a move that manager Peter Vermes described as “a world-class finish.”

A handball in the penalty area by Galaxy defender Derrick Williams gave Sporting the chance to double the lead in the 24th minute, but Los Angeles goalkeeper Jonathan Bond knocked away Johnny Russell’s penalty kick attempt, the second consecutive match for Kansas City to be denied from the spot.

Agada opened his account for Kansas City in the 40th minute, knocking in a shot after being denied on his first attempt. Agada didn’t get to celebrate right away as his point-blank shot was waved off for offsides, but after a video review, the call was reversed and Kansas City granted a 2-0 lead.

The Nigerian striker added to his tally in first-half stoppage time. Graham Zusi started a brilliant sequence, firing the ball long down the right side of the pitch to Daniel Salloi. Salloi one-touched a cross that found Agada, who was on a perfectly timed run to the back post.

The visitors made the game interesting as the clock passed the 80th minute. Galaxy star Chicharito scored in the 83rd minute, drawing Kansas City goalkeeper John Pulskamp away from goal and slotting the ball past him into the far corner.

Uri Rosell conceded a penalty kick on a hand ball in the second minute of stoppage, and Chicharito took the opportunity for another goal, narrowing the lead to one. Pulskamp correctly anticipated the direction of the kick, but his dive to the right was no match for the pace on Chicharito’s ball.

Salloi sealed the game late in stoppage time. Getting two chances from a narrow angle on the far left side, his first attempt curled just over the crossbar. His second shot sailed into the net past the goalkeeper to settle the final margin.

After the match, Agada described his first Kansas City goal.

“When the goalkeeper kept it out, I kept struggling,” said Agada, “fighting for the second goal. I thought it was a goal. You know how the VAR sometimes is, a little bit complicated, but thank God it went in. I’m so excited that that was my first goal. I’m so excited.”

Sporting Kansas City will play on the road next Saturday against Austin FC, a rematch of the July 30 game that Austin won 2-0. Kansas City will be back at Children’s Mercy Park on Aug. 21 to face the Portland Timbers. The Sunday evening match kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Midfielder Erik Thommy scored to put Sporting KC up 1-0 in the 10th minute. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Solders from the 1st Infantry Division attended the match and participated in pre-game ceremonies as part of Sporting Salutes night, timed to coincide with Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Willy Agada blocked goalkeeper Jonathan Bond’s attempt to clear the ball, and knocked it back in for a 2-0 first half lead. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Defender Graham Zusi hit a cross from the right side. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Johnny Russell slipped a shot past L.A. defender Derrick Williams. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

Forward Daniel Salloi dribbled toward goal along the left endline. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

 

A happy Chicharito fan got his jersey autographed after the match. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Cougars take series win over Monarchs, with 3-0 shutout

Matt Adams of the Kansas City Monarchs batted against the Kane County Cougars in the Monarchs’ 3-0 loss at Northwest Medicine Field in Geneva, Illinois, on Aug. 6. (Photo by Kane County Cougars)

by Adam Cook, Monarchs

Geneva, Illinois — The Kane County Cougars (38-36) took the series win against the Kansas City Monarchs (46-27) Saturday night by way of a shutout, securing a 3-0 win.

A big three-run fourth inning for the Cougars provided all the offense in this one, as both teams’ bullpens were lights out.

Mallex Smith got the night started right for the Monarchs, using his blazing speed to muster a leadoff infield single in the first, but the next three batters were retired in order, keeping the top of the first scoreless. Monarchs pitcher Brock Gilliam got the spot start in this one, and continued his dominance from his last time on the bump with a 1-2-3 bottom half.

In the top of the second the Monarchs’ offense made a little more noise with two walks, eventually putting runners at first and third with one out, but an untimely double play kept the game tied 0-0. In the bottom half, Jimmy Kerrigan stayed hot and led the inning off with a single, but Gilliam didn’t let that phase him and retired the next three in order.

The third inning was more of the same for the Monarchs’ bats, as Caeden Harris led the inning off with a single before the next three went down in order. On the other side of things, Gilliam stayed on top of Kane County with his second 1-2-3 inning in the first three innings.

After the Monarchs’ bats went 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth, Alexis Pantoja led off the bottom half with a leadoff single, which was followed by a walk, putting two on for Jimmy Kerrigan. Kerrigan delivered for the Cougars with an RBI double, giving Kane County the first lead of the game.

Gilliam then recorded back-to-back outs, but then back-to-back walks, walking in the second run of the game. B.J. Lopez then reached on an RBI infield single before the third out, leaving the fourth with a 3-0 lead.

The Monarchs didn’t take this lightly, however. In the top of the fifth, Kansas City loaded the bases with one out with help from a Kevin Santa double and a couple walks, which forced Cougars starting pitcher Koby Bishop from the game for relief pitcher Jack Anderson. Anderson came in and got the job done, retiring the next two batters and turning the inning over with no harm done.

Gilliam continued to show signs of fatigue in the bottom half, recording one out before allowing a walk and a single, placing runners at first and second and chasing Gilliam from the game for Jordan Martinson. Martinson had the same fate as Anderson, as he retired the next two batters in order and turned the inning over.

Anderson continued to have the number of the Monarchs’ bats in the sixth, putting up a 1-2-3 inning. Martinson continued the trend of relief pitcher dominance and also retired the side in 1-2-3 style, bringing the game to the seventh with the score still 3-0 Kane County.

Casey Gillaspie led off the top of the seventh with a walk, and then an error allowed Kevin Santa to reach first and Gillaspie to reach second with one out. Unfortunately for the Monarchs, the next two batters were sat down and KC was held scoreless. Jacob Lindgren entered on the mound for Kansas City in the beginning of the bottom half and promptly retired the side in four batters.

Ex-Monarch C.J. Carter entered for the Cougars in the top of the eighth. Jacob Robson began the inning with a single, but a flyout and double play ended the momentum and the half-inning. Friday night’s starting left fielder Brandon Koch returned to his usual role and entered on the mound for the Monarchs in the bottom of the eighth.

Koch alternated base runners and outs, allowing a walk and a single with outs after each. The fifth batter of the inning received a free pass as well, loading the bases for the man who scored against the Monarchs in the series prior, Ernie De La Trinidad. Koch delivered in the clutch, striking out the red hot bat and leaving the bases loaded.

Ryan Richardson entered on the mound to in the ninth to stave off the last chance for the Monarchs. David Thompson led the inning off with a 5-3 groundout, but J.C. Escarra drove a double and brought some life to the visitor’s dugout. The momentum was snuffed, however, as the next two batters were retired, ending the game with a final score of 3-0 Kane County.

The Monarchs will play at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, in an away game. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.