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KC Current drops first match, 3-0

Current to make first Challenge Cup playoff appearance Wednesday

The Kansas City Current lost its first match of the season 3-0 to the Portland Thorns on Saturday. The game was in Portland.

The Current will play in a Challenge Cup semifinal match at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. It will be the club’s first-ever playoff appearance.

“Not the start to the regular season we were hoping for, but our attitude is ‘sometimes beat, never conquered,’” head coach Matt Potter said. “Now, we get to regroup and get ready for the next game ahead of us: the Challenge Cup semifinal.”

The Thorns went ahead early in the eighth minute when veteran Christine Sinclair found herself open near the penalty spot with the ball. She was denied by goalkeeper A.D. Franch, but the rebound fell to forward Morgan Weaver, who slid it in the back corner.

Kansas City followed up with a great chance in the 26th minute, when Kate Del Fava pounced on a slow pass out from Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby. She passed in for Elyse Bennett, whose shot grazed past the left post.

The Current’s Franch came up big just minutes later, when Natalia Kuikka crossed the ball to the backpost. However, after a scramble for the ball, Sinclair fired a shot past Franch to put the home team up by two goals.

Kansas City closed out the half with another great chance off a free kick from Kristen Edmonds. Elizabeth Ball’s header went barely wide.

Thorns halftime substitute Sophia Smith scored Portland’s third goal in the 53rd minute, when she found herself open on the edge of the penalty box. Her shot sailed to the back corner for Portland’s 3-0 win.

The Current play next in the semifinals of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Wednesday, May 4, against the North Carolina Courage. The team’s first-ever playoff appearance kicks off at Children’s Mercy Park at 7:30 p.m. May 4.

Season tickets and flex plans are available for all home matches at Children’s Mercy Park. For pricing and information visit kansascitycurrent.com.

Story from KC Current

KC Current on the road with season opener tonight at Portland

After finishing atop the Central division in the Challenge Cup group phase, the Kansas City Current opens the regular season Saturday, April 30 at 5 p.m. against the Portland Thorns at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.

The match will broadcast live exclusively on Twitch.

Kansas City played its first match in the NWSL at Portland April 9, 2021. Kansas City NWSL, scored its first goal in the 60th minute of the match, but eventually fell 2-1. The team finished last in the Western Division of the Challenge Cup and the regular season.

2022 brings optimism and expectations for Kansas City. The team rebranded as the Current, added star players and a new coaching staff led by head coach Matt Potter, who has guided his team to five results in the first six matches (four wins, one draw) of the Challenge Cup.

New uniforms debut

With the regular season kicking off, the Current will appear in the new “Electric” kit in Saturday’s match.

The team’s secondary jersey features bursts of teal accents rising along the sides of the jersey, representing world-class players who are carving a new path driven by energy and optimism.

Accents of Heartland Red, including the iconic NIKE Swoosh and piping along the side and neck, symbolize the Current’s connection to the community, passion for the sport, and commitment to one another.

Fans are able to purchase the jersey online or at Current home matches, beginning with the Challenge Cup semifinal on May 4.

Most recent meeting with Portland

Kansas City recorded its fifth straight unbeaten game at home when these teams battled to a 0-0 draw October 10, 2021. Both sides had their chances to score.

Kansas City forward Kristen Hamilton found the back of the net in the first half, but a foul call just before negated the score.

Portland’s best chance came when the Thorns were awarded a penalty kick in the second half. Canadian forward Christine Sinclair missed the shot wide, giving A.D. Franch her second clean sheet with KC.

Players to watch

Kansas City Current: Forward Elyse Bennett – Kansas City’s first pick (seventh overall) in the 2022 NWSL Draft, has been a strong presence for the Current throughout the preseason and Challenge Cup. The rookie forward had more assists than any other player in the Challenge Cup, setting up four crucial Current scores over six games.

Portland Thorns: Forward Christine Sinclair – One of three players who has played for the same team in every NWSL season, Sinclair continues to be one of the leaders for the Thorns. Her 54 career goals ranks third in NWSL history, and she has 10 more playoff starts than any other player.

Story from KC Current

KC Current beats Red Stars, advances in Challenge Cup

Forward Kristen Hamilton scored the game-winning goal on a cross from Elyse Bennett near the goal line. The Current’s 2-1 win over Chicago advanced the team to the Challenge Cup semi-finals. (Photo copyright 2022 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

The Kansas City Current secured a place in the Challenge Cup semifinals with Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars at Children’s Mercy Park.

Kristen Hamilton scored the game winner in the 76th minute by knocking in a cross from Elyse Bennett from close range. The goal was Hamilton’s fourth in the six tournament games and earned Bennett her fourth assist.

The two teams traded goals early in the second half to set the stage for the go-ahead goal. Kansas City struck first in the 50th minute, starting with Desiree Scott intercepting a Chicago pass near midfield.

Scott passed to Elyse Bennett 18 yards out on the left side, and Bennett played the ball back to rookie Alex Loera running up the middle. Loera connected with the pass from 25 yards out, and her first touch launched the ball into the upper right corner of the net, well out of reach of Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

After the match, Loera talked about her decision to take the shot from such a range. “She just laid off a perfect one-touch pass,” said the rookie defender.

“I was like I mean I’m right here, no one’s on me. I’m just going to shoot it. And I don’t know, I think I kind of blacked out because I don’t really remember it.”

Before the celebration had died down, Chicago got its equalizer, with Bianca St. Georges scoring off a cross from Ella Stevens.

Reserve goalkeeper Cassie Miller started and kept the Current even in the match with a 60th minute save, and Kristen Edmonds also kept the Red Stars off the board by heading away a corner kick at the goal line in the 70th minute.

After the match, head coach Matt Potter praised the contributions rookies Bennett and Loera have made in the absence of veteran players Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams.

“They’ve certainly proven on this stage that they belong,” Potter said. “We still believe their best days are ahead of them, but they’re certainly making an impact and doing the job they need to do while other players are working their way back.”

Kansas City’s Challenge Cup division-leading finish gives the team the opportunity to play host to the semifinal match against the North Carolina Courage on May 4, but first the Current will play the regular season opener on the road against the Portland Thorns on April 30.