KC NWSL’s goalkeeper Adrianna Franch recorded her 300th save of her NWSL career in the 58th minute of Saturday’s match with Chicago.
Kansas City traveled to SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, Saturday to face off against the Chicago Red Stars, the team’s third game in the third different city in eight days.
Franch became only the fifth player ever to reach that 300-save milestone. Unfortunately, the Red Stars were able to find the goal and KC dropped the match 3-0.
Head Coach Huw Williams had high praise after the game for Franch’s historic night.
“AD is clearly a leader and a player that’s going to help us move on and get closer to our final destination, the picture that we have for this team needs people like AD to get there,” he said.
Kansas City NWSL’s Lo’eau LaBonta got the team off to the races in the fifth minute when she went coast-to-coast to rocket a shot at Chicago’s Cassie Miller. Chicago had a near chance in the 10th minute of play when Kealia Watt crossed the ball on the left flank into a running Rachel Hill, but Franch dove to block the redirect from reaching the net.
Franch again made a beautiful save in the 30th minute when Hill crossed a ball into the box for Mallory Pugh, but Franch leaped up to make a diving save and prevent Pugh from getting a chance on it.
Kansas City continued to put on the pressure for the first 30 minutes of the match, nearly finding the back of the net with several chances, but was unable to tuck one in.
After the hydration break, Chicago was able to gain momentum and take the lead in the 36th minute. Pugh put her corner kick into Woldmoe who found herself open in the middle of the penalty box and put Chicago up 1-0.
With five corner kicks in the first half, the Red Stars were able to keep Kansas City on defense. In the second half, Chicago earned three more corner kicks and several short free kicks from outside the box.
In the 61st minute Pugh crossed in a free kick from just inside the corner that hit off a Kansas City defender and bounced straight to Woldmoe’s foot. The forward was able to control the ball and it in for her second goal of the night. Chicago scored the team’s final goal in the 81st minute, completing its 3-0 defeat over Kansas City.
Kansas City will now have eight days before the next match. The team will be looking for its third-straight home victory at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, at Legends Field against the North Carolina Courage. The match will stream on Paramount+.
- Story from KC NWSL