For the second time this season, Kansas City NWSL visits Lynn Family Stadium to take on the NWSL’s other 2021 expansion side, Racing Louisville at 2 p.m. Sunday. The match will be broadcast on KSMO-TV and radio 810 WHB.
The two teams began their Inaugural regular-season campaigns in a match against each other, ending in a scoreless draw on May 15.
Just under three months after that meeting, the league’s two expansion sides meet again on Sunday, Aug. 8, with three points squarely on the mind of both clubs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on KSMO-TV and Sports Radio 810 WHB. The game will stream on Paramount+ or internationally on Twitch.
Kansas City enters Sunday’s match following a 2-0 road loss to the Portland Thorns last Sunday that was perhaps closer than the final score suggests. Recently acquired forward Kristen Hamilton nearly opened the scoring in the fourth minute following an impressive sequence of passes in the Thorns’ penalty box. Only a highlight worthy save from Portland’s goalkeeper was able to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
Portland struck first courtesy of an own goal in the 10th minute, and despite consistent pressure from Kansas City’s forward line the visitors could not find a response.
The Thorns doubled their lead in the 42nd minute following a short corner kick, catching Kansas City’s defense off-guard. The resulting cross was whipped towards goal and deflected into the back of the net by forward Marissa Everett. Despite the 2-0 result, Kansas City battled valiantly in a hostile road environment.
Following a fast start to the regular season that saw Racing Louisville take seven points from its opening five matches, the team has cooled significantly and currently sits in ninth place in the NWSL table. Louisville is scoreless in its last three home matches and on a two-game losing streak, with the most recent setback coming last Saturday on the road at the hands of Eugénie Le Sommer and the OL Reign.
New acquisitions
All three of the players that Kansas City NWSL acquired from the North Carolina Courage started last Sunday’s match against the Portland Thorns. Forwards Kristen Hamilton and Hailie Mace and goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland all played a big part against the Thorns.
Hamilton totaled five shots against the Thorns and was inches away from scoring multiple goals at Providence Park. Despite conceding two goals Hamilton was a stalwart in Kansas City’s net, with six total saves in her second regular-season appearance. Mace recorded one shot against the Thorns. All three showed promise as they continue to integrate into Kansas City’s roster, and Mace, Hamilton and Rowland could be important pieces of the roster going forward.
Players to watch
Kansas City NWSL: Forward Darian Jenkins— Jenkins is a versatile attacking option that has been deployed in a variety of ways for Kansas City this season. At both attacking midfielder and left-right winger, Jenkins has played in 11 matches, starting 10.
With head coach Huw Williams directing Jenkins to pepper the opposing goal, Jenkins is starting to create more opportunities for herself. She started Kansas City’s last two matches against North Carolina and Portland, with two shots in each contest. Jenkins is a creative player on the wing, and Williams praised her technical ability with local media two weeks ago. As Jenkins continues to get comfortable with her role and take more opportunities for herself, look for her to be a vital piece of Kansas City’s front line.
Racing Louisville FC: Forward CeCe Kizer — The young forward from Overland Park, Kansas, who turns 24 on Saturday, has been a dynamic attacker ever since her high school days at Blue Valley Northwest. After totaling 63 goals and 41 assists in her high school career, Kizer attended Ole Miss. There she started in all 83 of her appearances and set program records with 48 goals and 119 career points. Kizer was selected No. 13 overall by the Houston Dash in the 2019 NWSL Draft and was acquired by Louisville prior to the 2021 season. She plays an important role on the Louisville front line, starting in 10 matches and recording two assists and one goal.
Sunday’s match will be broadcast locally on KSMO-TV, with Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt. In addition, fans can listen to Trost and Borchardt call the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB. Nationally, the game can be seen on Paramount+.
Kansas City NWSL is at home for the first time in August next Saturday against the OL Reign on Aug. 14. Saturday’s match kicks off at 7 p.m. Tickets for the OL Reign match and Kansas City’s remaining home games in the 2021 regular season can be found at KCWoSo.com/Tickets.
- Story from KC NWSL