Category: Kansas City NWSL

After a three-week break, Kansas City NWSL traveled to Segra Field Sunday to take on the Washington Spirit for just the second time this season, but was defeated 2-1.

Darian Jenkins fired home a perfectly placed near-post shot in the eighth minute of play to give Kansas City an early 1-0 lead. Washington answered with goals late in the first half and 11 seconds into the second half to come away with a 2-1 victory.

Washington came out on the front foot the first five minutes of the game finding a near chance in the fourth minute from Kumi Yokoyama. Kansas City quickly answered with a rocket from Lo’eau LaBonta in the sixth minute of play that sailed just over the net.

It didn’t take long after that for Kansas City to gain momentum when Jenkins found the back of the net in the ninth minute. Midfielder Victoria Pickett intercepted a Washington pass in the middle of the field then quickly passed the ball wide. Jenkins did the rest when she cut in from the right side of the box to fire a near-post shot past Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

Kansas City goalkeeper Adrianna Franch came up with a big save in the 20th minute. Washington’s Ashley Sanchez found herself free after she blocked defender Elizabeth Ball’s pass and an odd bounce off the turf allowed her to get a quick touch past the goalkeeper, but Franch was able to dive and cover the ball before Sanchez could get a shot off.

Kansas City continued to pressure the Washington back line with chances coming from Jenkins, Kristen Hamilton and midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta.

Despite Kansas City’s attack, Washington was able to equalize just before the first half ended. Spirit defender Kelley O’Hara fell to the ground after getting bumped by KC defender Kiki Pickett just inside the penalty box. Referee Karen Abt signaled a penalty kick, which midfielder Andi Sullivan slotted to the right side of goal, tying the game at 1-1 as the halftime whistle blew.

The change in momentum carried over into the second half as Washington only needed 11 seconds to take the lead. Forward Tara McKeown jumped on an errant pass and found the back of the net, giving Washington a 2-1 lead that it held on to for the remainder of the game.

Kansas City will now return home for the first of four October matches at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Legends Field to take on the Houston Dash. The game will be broadcast locally on KCTV5 and stream nationally on Paramount+. For tickets and information visit KCWoSo.com.

• Information from KC NWSL

Kansas City NWSL travels to Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, to face the Washington Spirit after a three-week break.

This is only the second match against Washington this season, with the Spirit prevailing on June 26 at Legends Field in the first, 2-1.

Kansas City’s last match was Sept. 5 at home versus the North Carolina Courage, ahead in the statistical categories of shots, shots on goal, and possession. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net with the match resulting in a 0-0 draw.

Washington has been idle since Aug. 29, when it played the North Carolina Courage to a 0-0 draw. Since then, the Spirit forfeited two matches against the Portland Thorns and OL Reign due to COVID-related issues. Both matches are counted as losses for the Spirit.

Four international players called up

During the break, four Kansas City NWSL players were called up internationally. Jéssica Silva (Portugal), Chloe Logarzo (Australia), Rachel Corsie (Scotland), and Mariana Larroquette (Argentina) were each selected to represent their countries.

Silva scored a goal and an assist in the two matches, but Portugal was unable to come away with the result in either match. Corsie captained a dominant backline to one goal allowed in two wins against Hungary and the Faroe Islands. Larroquette scored a goal in her match against Brazil, but Argentina was unable to come home with a victory in its match against Brazil. Logarzo started and played 53 minutes before being subbed off for Australia, helping control the midfield on both ends and finding through balls to her forwards.

Franch stays in the states

Kansas City NWSL goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was selected to the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team in a pair of matches against Paraguay. She was named the starting goalkeeper for the United States Women’s National Team in the first match and recorded her second career clean sheet for the national team as she was key in directing the defense to only allow one shot in a 9-0 victory.

Players to watch

Kansas City: Defender Kristen Edmonds – Edmonds has been a vital piece to the Kansas City defense this season. Edmonds has played nearly every position on the field this season. Although she has not suited up at goalkeeper, Edmonds has been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week following her block off the line against the Courage at home on July 23. While fellow teammate Rachel Corsie was out due to injury, Edmonds filled in at center back and captain. She has played and started in 16 games for 1,316 minutes while adding 10 shots, with four on goal.

Washington Spirit: Forward Ashley Hatch – Hatch has been a dominant goal-scorer for the Spirit as she has seven tallies on the season, tied for third in the NWSL. Hatch has played in 15 games (13 starts) for a total of 1,124 minutes on the season.

Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt will broadcast the Sept. 26 game locally on KSMO-TV. Nationally the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.

• Story from KC NWSL

Kansas City NWSL today announced the team will play its home matches at Children’s Mercy Park in 2022, according to a news release.

KC NWSL is currently playing its inaugural season at Legends Field, where the team is undefeated in its last four appearances, according to the spokesman. The team will close out the 2021 regular season at Legends Field with four home matches in October.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mark Brandmeyer and the entire Legends Field staff and crew for making our inaugural season so special,” said KC NWSL founder and co-owner Chris Long. “They stepped up in a monumental way when we brought the team to Kansas City last December and had to be on the field in only 140 days. Mark and his staff are forever a part of our history and KC NWSL family, helping create a memorable first season for our fans.”

Children’s Mercy Park is the home of Sporting Kansas City. The soccer-specific stadium opened in 2011 and seats 18,467 for soccer matches.

Children’s Mercy Park has been home to the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National teams multiple times in addition to CONCACAF Champions League, Gold Cup, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Olympics Qualifiers.

“We are thrilled to move our home matches to Children’s Mercy Park,” said Amber Cox, KC NWSL chief operating officer. “When the opportunity materialized for the 2022 season to move to one of the best soccer stadiums in the world, we felt it made sense, especially given our player-first approach. We’re excited to offer soccer fans in Kansas City a full menu of both men’s and women’s soccer at Children’s Mercy Park in 2022.”

Kansas City is on the road at 4 p.m. Sept. 26 to face the Washington Spirit before returning at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 to face the Houston Dash. For more information and tickets for the four remaining matches in 2021 or 2022 matches at Children’s Mercy Park, visit KCWoSo.com or call 913-340-9513.