Kansas City NWSL took on NJ-NY Gotham Friday at Legends Field as it picked up its seventh-straight positive result at home.
Although Gotham was able to capitalize first in the 25th minute from forward Margaret Purce, Kansas City battled back to earn a penalty kick that captain and defender Kristen Edmonds slotted home to equalize the game at 1-1 and notch her first goal of the season.
The result held after the full 90 minutes with both teams leaving with a point in the standings.
Edmonds gave credit to forward Kristen Hamilton for pressing in the attack on the Gotham defense and creating the penalty kick opportunity for her to take with ease.
“I was pretty confident going into that PK and knew I had to put it away,” she said.
Kansas City came out sharp in the attack as midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta slipped a ball into a slashing forward Darian Jenkins who slotted a ball on top of the six-yard box, but no one was there to tap it home. Kansas City went on to hold majority of possession in the first half.
Despite Kansas City keeping the pressure on in the attack, Gotham was able to strike first in the 25th minute when midfielder McCall Zerboni picked off a KC pass and then slotted Purce into the final third who sent into the net to get the first score of the game.
The “next-play” mindset showed for Kansas City when not even a minute later they created a dangerous chance when the ball bounced to defender Kate Del Fava’s foot, and she fired a low-driven shot to the near post that went just wide of the net.
The Kansas City attack did not let down as Hamilton found herself on a breakaway in the 43rd minute but chipped the ball slightly over the top of the net. Hamilton made up for the miss 30 seconds later when she battled to win a penalty kick. Edmonds took to the spot and calmly slotted the ball to the left side of the net to even the game at 1-1 just before the half.
The second half saw more Kansas City attacks as they continued to keep the ball down deep in Gotham’s half and create chances that were near goals. One of these near makes was in the 61st minute when LaBonta crossed a dart to midfielder Addie McCain’s foot who redirected it at the net, but Gotham goalkeeper Didi Haracic was able to sprawl to keep it out.
Although Kansas City led in shots (16) compared to Gotham (14), KC was unable to find the back of the net for the game-winner, ending the second half scoreless on both sides for a final score of 1-1.
Kansas City will stay home for the final match of the inaugural season at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas, to face off against OL Reign. Kansas City will celebrate Fan Appreciation Night. For tickets and information visit KCWoSo.com.
- Story from KC NWSL