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Kizer, Bennett score in 2-2 Current comeback

by Brian Turrel

The Kansas City Current made a spirited second-half comeback Sunday evening, rallying from a two goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Orlando, extending the team’s run of success to eight straight matches without a loss.

Kansas City’s defense held Orlando harmless through the first 25 minutes, but the visitors’ first shot was a keeper — an Erika Tymrak cross from the left that Celia Jimenez headed inside the near post.

The Current generated more offensive chances in the first half, but only a Kristen Hamilton drive up the middle required more than a token effort from Orlando goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

Kansas City was down 1-0 at the break, Orlando quickly counter-attacked on Kansas City’s second-half opening kick, doubling the lead in the 46th minute. Goalkeeper A.D. Franch was knocked down in close action in front of the Kansas City goal, and the ball fell to Orlando’s Julie Doyle to put into an empty net.

The two-goal disadvantage seemed to heat up the Current’s offense. Direct, accurate forward passes set up the Kansas City attack for multiple dangerous chances.

In the 57th minute, Hailie Mace won a duel at midfield and flipped the ball to Elyse Bennett. Bennett, a halftime substitute, swerved through the right side of the Orlando defense and ricocheted a shot off the far post and into the net to start the comeback.

Sloppy distribution passes in the Kansas City backfield gave Orlando some dangerous possessions in the second half, but the defense recovered each time and kept the visitors’ tally at two.

In the 82nd minute, CeCe Kizer drew the match level at two. She split Orlando’s central defenders with a run straight up the middle and then chipped the ball high over goalkeeper McLeod.

Past the keeper, Kizer needed only to touch the ball into the open net for her third goal since joining the Current in June.

Kansas City kept straining to score a third goal and a victory, and nearly succeeded with a short range shot from Hamilton that was smothered by McLeod in stoppage time.

The Kansas City Current has two games on the road at the San Diego Wave and North Carolina Courage, and the team plays its next home match against Angel City FC on Aug. 19, kicking off at 7 p.m.

Forward CeCe Kizer flipped the ball over goalkeeper Erin McLeod on her way to scoring the game-tying goal. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Kristen Hamilton nearly got away a game-winning shot in stoppage time. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Elyse Bennett’s appeal for a foul was granted when she was taken down just outside the Orlando penalty area. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Victoria Pickett looked for an opening to pass. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Elyse Bennett won a header near the Orlando goal. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Kate Del Fava made a run along the right end line past Orlando defender Carrie Lawrence. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Orlando defender Kylie Strom got a foot out to block a second half shot by forward Elyse Bennett. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

The Current celebrated Kansas City Kicks Cancer night, and fans held signs celebrating cancer survivors. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Elyse Bennett closed quickly on the Orlando goal to score in the 57th minute. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta fired a shot through traffic that was blocked by Orlando defender Celia Jimenez Delgado. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Orlando goalkeeper Erin McLeod extended to get in front of a shot by forward Elyse Bennett. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Sporting KC shut out 2-0 by Austin FC

Daniel Salloi’s penalty kick was saved and bounced harmlessly away, denying Sporting Kansas City an equalizing goal in the second half of their match against Austin FC. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Austin FC took advantage of a youthful indiscretion by Sporting Kansas City midfielder Cam Duke, scoring at the close of both halves on the way to a 2-0 win Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting started with a revamped front that included Marinos Tzionis on the left and Willy Agada up the middle and put some early offensive pressure on Austin. In the 19th minute, Felipe Hernandez streaked forward from midfield and played the ball through to Tzionis, who fired a shot that forced a diving save from Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

Duke was sent off in the 43rd minute when he picked up his second caution just four minutes after his first. The first yellow card was for a relatively soft tackle, as referee Fotis Bazakos handed out four in quick sequence to get control of a suddenly chippy match.

With a man advantage, Alex Ring scored for Austin in the first half’s single minute of stoppage time. His easily savable roller from 25 yards out squirted through the arms and between the legs of goalkeeper John Pulskamp.

Daniel Salloi and Erik Thommy were subbed on at halftime to generate some Sporting offense, and the home side earned the chance for an equalizer in the 61st minute when Austin committed a hand ball in the penalty area.

Stuver turned away Daniel Salloi’s low penalty kick to the left side, earning a loud “Stooooo” from the small but raucous Austin cheering section in the southeast corner of Children’s Mercy Park.

Austin closed out the scoring at the very end of regulation when Sebastian Driussi slipped the Kansas City back line and got a clean ball through from Diego Fagundez.

Sporting Kansas City will be back at Children’s Mercy Park on Aug. 6 to face the Los Angeles Galaxy, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

Midfielder Cam Duke played the ball along the end line, covered by Austin defender Ruben Gabrielsen. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Marinos Tzionis fired a shot from the left side that was saved by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Felipe Hernandez tried to speed past Austin forward Ethan Finlay. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Johnny Russell played a cross in front of the Austin goal. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Ben Sweat fired a cross from the left side. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

Thommy, Agada debut in 2-0 Sporting loss to LA

by Brian Turrel

Sporting Kansas City saw promising debuts from recent signees Erik Thommy and Willy Agada, but the team continued its midseason slide in the standings with a 2-0 home loss to Los Angeles FC Saturday evening.

Thommy, a veteran of the German Bundesliga, started the match as an attacking midfielder and showed his speed and tenacity all over the pitch. He made an immediate impact on the game, setting up a Daniel Salloi shot in the third minute, and finding his own chance in the sixth.

Thommy combined well with winger Salloi and left back Logan Ndenbe throughout the match, and took all the set piece kicks until he was subbed off in the 61st minute.

Head coach Peter Vermes talked about Thommy’s performance in his post-match press conference.

“Thommy has certain qualities that even Gadi Kinda brings where he’s going forward,” Vermes said. “He’s elusive. He gets into the attacking third and he’s looking for things. I mean, even for him to get on the shot that he got onto that he missed in the first half. It’s a great spot for him to be in because that’s where I’d like to see the two attacking midfielders in those spots.”

Nigerian forward Willy Agada came on in the 84th minute as a substitute for Khiry Shelton. He won a free kick on a nice run up the left wing, and headed a Kayden Pierre cross on goal in stoppage time, though the shot was snared by Los Angeles goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

Sporting held Los Angeles scoreless until after halftime. Following an injury at the hour mark to Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia, backup John Pulskamp was in the game only three minutes when he was victimized by an LAFC counter that ended with striker Cristian Arango banging the ball into the upper right corner of the net.

Welsh international superstar Gareth Bale, newly signed to Los Angeles, came on as a substitute in the 65th minute and scored his first MLS goal in the 83rd, assisted by Arango on another breakaway. Despite scoring for the visiting side, the wildly popular Bale got a big ovation from the Children’s Mercy Park crowd.

The loss is Kansas City’s fifth in its last six league contests, and Sporting finds itself in an unusual and unenviable position at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference standings, earning only 20 points in 23 matches played so far.

The bright spot in Kansas City’s season has been its performance in the U.S. Open Cup, and the team will have a chance to continue its run toward the Cup with the semifinal match against Sacramento Republic FC in California on Wednesday, July 27.

Sporting Kansas City will be back at home next Saturday, July 30, against Austin FC. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m.