by Brian Turrel
The Kansas City Current weathered an early storm from Seattle’s OL Reign before taking control of their Sunday evening match at Children’s Mercy Park.
In the end, the shot that counted was a game-winning penalty kick from team captain Lo’eau LaBonta in the 18th minute.
Goalkeeper A.D. Franch was on top of her game as well, making four saves to preserve a shutout and Kansas City win.
The 1-0 home victory continued a three-game win streak and seven-game unbeaten streak that has seen the Current climb from the bottom of the NWSL standings to fifth place and playoff contention as the season hits its mid-point.
OL Reign was on the front foot from the get-go, winning two set pieces inside the opening five minutes. Tziarra King and Bethan Balcer both narrowly missed shots to open the action.
Against the run of play, Current midfielder Victoria Pickett earned a penalty kick when she was brought down by Reign defender Phoebe McClernon on a run into the 18-yard box. Lo’eau LaBonta took the kick and hit it high into the right corner to put the home team up 1-0.
OL Reign nearly earned the goal right back in the next few minutes, forcing a save, two blocks and a shot off the post in quick succession.
The hydration break at the 30th minute was a turning point for the home side. Down 9 shots to 1, the Current began to press the issue before halftime, getting three shots off in first half stoppage time.
The Current continued its dominant run after halftime, with Kristen Hamilton hitting two crosses to CeCe Kizer just after the break, though Kizer’s shots were off the mark both times.
Hamilton nearly doubled the lead with a great run in the 70th minute, but her low shot to the left corner was saved by OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
As time ran down, the Reign pushed numbers high up the field but was unable to find an equalizing goal.
Kansas City defender Alex Loera, a force on both ends of the pitch in the match, was carried off the field with a lower leg injury in stoppage time. She will be evaluated by the team’s medical staff on Monday.
After the match, head coach Matt Potter praised his team’s growth this season.
“I think the journey that we’re on as a group is still to be continued,” said the coach, “but we definitely like where we’re going. So if we can continue to do the things that we like to do, keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard like we do every day, then hopefully there’s more nights like this in the future.”
The Current has the week off before returning to training in advance of the next home game on July 31 against the Orlando Pride.
