The Kansas City Current continue the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup against the Chicago Red Stars at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, from SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match will stream live on Paramount+.
Kansas City comes into the match following an opening week draw against Racing Louisville.
Midfielder Addie McCain scored her first professional goal in the 76th minute, pulling the Current even at 1-1.
Despite the score, Kansas City dominated the match in nearly every statistical category. Kansas City’s offense had a league high 24 shots, with nine on target while the team held a nearly 55% possession advantage.
The Chicago Red Stars opened its Challenge Cup schedule last week on the road against the Houston Dash with a 3-1 victory. Forward Mallory Pugh scored two goals with defender Arin Wright scoring a penalty kick in between.
Last meeting
Kansas City traveled to Chicago in October for the team’s final road match of the 2021 season. After an unfortunate bounce led to an early Red Stars goal, defender Hailie Mace scored her first goal with Kansas City late in the opening half. Chicago forward Makenzy Doniak found the game-winner early in the second half, halting a two-game unbeaten streak for KC.
Rookie contributions
All five rookie players on the Kansas City Current roster saw time in last week’s opening Challenge Cup match, with defenders Alex Loera and Jenna Winebrenner starting and playing the full 90 minutes at center back.
“Jenna and Alex have done nothing but stand tall and be accountable for their performance. They showed that they belong on this stage,” head coach Matt Potter said. “The way they went about handling what I believe is one of the best players in this league, in terms of their forward, Jess McDonald. I thought that they handled it very well for a first outing in Challenge Cup.”
Midfielder Chardonnay Curran, defender Izzy Rodriguez and forward Elyse Bennett found their way into the match in the second half. All three contributed to the team’s second half comeback, with Bennett nearly able to find the game-winner late in the match.
Players to watch
Kansas City Current: Forward Kristen Hamilton — Hamilton heads into her eighth NWSL season with three championships, 108 matches and 17 goals. Coming to Kansas City in a blockbuster midseason trade last season, Hamilton has become one of this team’s leaders. Pairing with midfielder Sam Mewis, she looks to improve the Current’s offensive output throughout the season.
Chicago Red Stars: Forward Mal Pugh — Pugh scored a brace in the Red Stars’ opening Challenge Cup match, leading the way to her team’s dominant 3-1 win over the Houston Dash. The U.S. Women’s National team forward joined the Red Stars last season after three years in Washington.
How to watch
Chicago Red Stars vs Kansas City Current
7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25
SeatGeek Stadium
Stream on Paramount+
- Story from KC Current