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KC NWSL wins first victory in club history

by Brian Turrel

On a beautiful summer’s evening at Legends Field, Kansas City NWSL earned the first victory in team history Saturday, with a 1-0 victory over OL Reign.

Although Kansas City’s offense provided scoring chances starting in the first minute, Victoria Pickett put over the match’s only goal in the 73rd minute, charging on to a deflected ball near the Reign penalty spot.

Pickett’s goal held up thanks to a much improved defensive effort. The error-prone back line that allowed three goals at Louisville last Sunday shut out the Reign, blocking four shots and requiring only one save from goalkeeper Abby Smith.

The Kansas City expansion club is still staring up the rest of the league in the standings, 7 points behind Racing Louisville FC, but the win gives fans hope of better things ahead as the team heads into the last 10 games of the 2021 season.

Kansas City will head to the second place North Carolina Courage next Saturday. Their next home game at Legends Field will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 against Louisville.

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta and defender Kristen Edmonds greeted the crowd enthusiastically after the win. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Kiki Pickett sprinted at full speed toward the Reign goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Fans celebrated Pickett’s goal in the 73rd minute. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Reign defender Lauren Barnes slid in for a tackle, winning the ball and upending midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

The KC Chiefs Rumble drum group performed before the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Defender Elizabeth Ball broke up an attack by Reign midfielder Eugenie Le Sommer. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Fans celebrated the team’s inaugural victory. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta headed the ball back to keep it in play. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

Forward Kristen Hamilton fired a shot on goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

KC NWSL plays to scoreless tie in season opener

Opening the season at Racing Louisville, Kansas City NWSL played to a scoreless tie on Saturday evening.

The two new franchises were looking for their first wins at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, but neither team could score. Both teams had chances to score, but neither could convert.

Kansas City had a chance in the second minute, as Amy Rodriguez fired a shot in the box off a through pass from Victoria Pickett.

Darian Jenkins of Kansas City also placed a free kick on Louisville’s Michelle Bentos in her regular season debut.

Racing Louisville took some shots near the end of the first half, but Nicole Barnhart of Kansas City came up with two saves and stayed aggressive in the final third.

In the second half, Kansas City controlled possession. Even though Racing Louisville pressured the backline the entire second half, it was unable to score against Barnhart.

“Victoria Pickett continues to play at a high level in the midfield and makes dangerous runs into the attack. The final part is to get her to get more shots off,” KC coach Huw Williams said.

Coach Williams said he was “excited” with the shutout as the team’s goal going into the match was to keep a clean sheet. He hopes to build on this shutout next week and “to also sneak a few goals in the next game at Houston.”

Kansas City now turns its focus to the next regular season match on May 23 in Houston against the Houston Dash. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.

Kansas City and Louisville each earned one point in the standings.

NWSL starts new chapter for KC women’s soccer

Kansas City forward Michele Vasconcelos slipped between two Houston defenders to get clear for a goal-scoring shot. Vasconcelos scored Kansas City’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Children’s Mercy Park turned a slightly different shade of blue on Monday night as thousands of teal-clad fans of the new Kansas City NWSL women’s soccer team turned out for the franchise’s first home game. The game was sold out, although COVID restrictions limited the attendance.

The Houston Dash played the spoiler at Kansas City’s debut, defeating the hosts 3-1. Kristie Mewis scored a brace for the Dash, and Rachel Daly added one by penalty kick. Michele Vasconcelos scored Kansas City’s lone goal in a second half comeback effort that ended short.

In the first half, Kansas City controlled most of the possession, but Houston was more dangerous with its chances. The Dash got on the board in the 25th minute when USWNT member Mewis unleashed a left-footed blast from about 15 yards out.

Houston went up 2-0 in first half stoppage time. Houston’s Rachel Daly tangled with defender Rachel Corsie just inside Kansas City’s 18-yard box. The collision earned Daly a penalty kick that she took herself and converted.

After the half, Houston continued to press its advantage, and Mewis scored again in the 71st minute. Nichelle Prince streaked up the field and connected with Mewis for the goal.

Kansas City head coach Huw Williams made some late substitutions to create some offense, including bringing on forward Michele Vasconcelos in the 69th minute. Lo’eau LaBonta found Vansconcelos as she slipped between the two Houston center backs and fed her the ball to earn the goal for Kansas City.

Williams made a couple more late substitutions, but Kansas City was unable to break through again.

The match was part of the NWSL Challenge Cup, a tournament that kicks off the NWSL season. Kansas City will play its last Challenge Cup game on Monday, May 3, at 8 p.m. against the OL Reign of Seattle. The game will take place at the Field of Legends, home ballpark of the Kansas City Monarchs.

The regular season schedule will be announced later.