by Brian Turrel
Kansas City NWSL gained its second win of the season and second consecutive home victory on Wednesday evening against Racing Louisville FC 2-1.
Forward Kristen Hamilton, appearing in her 100th NWSL match, struck the game-winner in the 40th minute when she received a long pass forward from Hailie Mace and sprinted past the Louisville defense.
With only the goalkeeper to beat, Hamilton steered the ball neatly between the diving keeper’s outstretched arm and the near post to give Kansas City a 2-0 halftime lead.
Kansas City pressed high up the field from the start of the match, frustrating the Louisville back line and earning offensive opportunities and set pieces.
The intense effort paid off in the 18th minute with a Louisville own goal — a deflection off a Racing defender in close action near the goal.
Louisville forward CeCe Kizer narrowed the margin with a goal in the 64th minute, but Kansas City dropped back in a more defensive stance and held on for the remainder of the match.
An unexpectedly large contingent of violet-clad Racing Louisville fans swelled the Legends Field crowd due to two local players on the roster. Kizer, of Overland Park, started the match and scored Louisville’s only goal.
Sinclaire Miramontez, of Lenexa, came on as a halftime substitute for Louisville. She was sent off when she earned her second yellow card during stoppage time.
Despite the win, Kansas City remains in the basement of the NWSL league standings, but edges within 4 points of Louisville, the league’s other expansion franchise.
Kansas City will play at Chicago on Saturday. The next home match will be against the North Carolina Courage at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5.
