by Brian Turrel
The latest of comeback goals earned the Kansas City Current a 1-1 draw at home against the Portland Thorns, a critical point in the standings with Kansas City battling for the top spot in the NWSL standings as the regular season draws to a close.
Well into the fourth minute of stoppage time, on a last-ditch drive toward goal, Hailie Mace was knocked down by defender Becky Sauerbrunn just outside the Portland penalty area, earning a free kick.
Mace and Kristen Edmonds lined up over the ball, and Edmonds gave the ball the merest nudge before Mace blasted it into the upper left corner of the goal.
The late game goal-scoring heroics partially overshadowed the Herculean effort of the defense and goalkeeper A.D. Franch, whose eight saves along with stellar back line play stymied Portland’s relentless offensive pressure until an 86th minute goal from midfielder Rocky Rodriguez.
U.S. women’s national team star Sophia Smith was a force on Portland’s front line, slipping into open areas in the Kansas City defense and providing a target for her teammates. Kate Del Fava and Addisyn Merrick had the unenviable task of keeping Smith in check, and were up to the challenge.
The draw pulls Kansas City even with Houston for second place in the NWSL standings, though Houston owns the tie breaker on goal differential. Portland remains one point behind, but the Thorns have a game in hand. The top two teams receive a bye in the first round of playoffs and will play host to their semi-final matches.
Kansas City has two games remaining in the regular season, and the NWSL Shield award for the best record is within reach. The Current plays 10th place Washington Spirit at home next Sunday and concludes the season at 11th place Louisville on Oct. 1.
