Three Current players selected for best in NWSL during August

Three Kansas City Current players have been selected to the Best XI of the Month for August in the National Women’s Soccer League.

The three players, Elizabeth Ball, Lo’eau LaBonta and A.D. Franch, were instrumental in the three wins and a draw by the Current during August.

Ball, defender, received her first Team of the Month honor. One of the NWSL’s most underrated players, Ball has been the central backbone of the Current’s defense all season. She played the full 90 minutes in all four August games and has played in all but 176 minutes of the season for the Current.

The defender also notched the game-winning assist in the team’s 4-3 win over North Carolina. She finished the month with five tackles, 16 duels won and a team-best 22 clearances. Ball’s 18 blocks on the season rank second in the NWSL.

LaBonta, a midfielder, was voted to the monthly Best XI for the second straight month and third time in her career. She scored three goals and an assist in August as she led the team’s central midfield. Her relentless attack and work ethic have proved contagious, along with her appreciation for goal celebrations.

Franch, goalkeeper, also earned her second straight monthly Best XI award and her fourth career award. She recorded goals against average of 1.66 in August as she backstopped the club to three wins and a draw.

The selections were made by the NWSL Media Association.

The Current are on the road for two games against NJ-NY Gotham on Sept. 11 and the Chicago Red Stars on Sept. 14 before returning home to face the Portland Thorns at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, and the Washington Spirit at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

Tickets are available for both matches at KansasCityCurrent.com/tickets.

Motorcycle accident reported on I-635

A motorcycle collided with a car at 6:24 p.m. Monday, Labor Day, according to a crash log from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The accident happened on southbound I-635 near Orville Avenue, according to the trooper’s report.

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle was southbound on I-635 and a Toyota Camry was southbound in another I-635 lane, the trooper’s report stated.

The Camry made a lane change and the motorcyclist initiated an avoidance maneuver, according to the trooper’s report. Then the driver fell off the motorcycle, according to the report. The motorcycle then struck the Camry, the trooper’s report stated.

The motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man from Olathe, Kansas, was taken to a hospital with a possible minor injury, the report stated. The trooper’s report stated the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet.

The driver of the Camry, a 32-year-old woman from Fort Worth, Texas, had no apparent injury, according to the trooper’s report.

Today’s public meetings

KCK school board to meet Sept. 7

The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. According to a meeting notice, the special meeting will be held at the law offices of McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips, 10 E. Cambridge Circle Drive, Suite 300, Kansas City, Kansas. According to the meeting notice, the board will consider taking action on the human resources report and recommendations; review the building needs assessment; recess to a closed executive session for consultation with its attorney on matters that are deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship; and board development.

BPU to meet Sept. 7

The Board of Public Utilities will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. On the agenda for the regular meeting are a public comment time; a presentation by Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group Inc.; general manager and staff reports; July financial report; a customer service quarterly update; miscellaneous comments and board comments.


The public may join the board meetings, and also may access the meetings through the telephone to listen in or through the internet, through Zoom meeting. Board meetings are held at the board offices at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. To hear the meeting through Zoom, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84523139724. To access through the telephone, call toll-free 1-888-475-4499. The meeting ID number is 845 2313 9724.