Tag: Soccer

In Challenge Cup opener, KC Current plays to a draw with Louisville

The Kansas City Current opened the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup with a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC Friday night.

Overland Park, Kansas native Cece Kizer opened the scoring for Louisville in the 20th minute, but midfielder Addie McCain scored her first career goal in the 78th minute to equalize the match at 1-1.

In Kansas City’s first match under the direction of head coach Matt Potter, the Current opening lineup featured seven players who were not on the team’s roster to begin the 2021 season, including rookies Alex Loera and Jenna Winebrenner 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,” 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.”

Along with defenders Hailie Mace and Kristen Edmonds, the rookie pairing were able to keep Louisville at bay for most of the game. However, against the run of play, Racing’s Kizer was able to sneak past the Kansas City back line and distribute a pass to McDonald on the right side and then find her way to receive a near immediate return pass and score.

Kizer’s shot was one of only two that the Current allowed on the night as the defense clamped down any additional chances from Louisville. The Current were able to hold the possession advantage for the entire game as Potter encouraged his team to remain on the attack.

McCain entered the match as a second half substitute for midfielder Sam Mewis. She wasted no time in making her mark on the match. Within moments of Louisville taking the kickoff, McCain could be found tracking down the ball and winning it back for her side.

In the 78th minute, McCain and teammate Lynn Williams pressured Racing’s backline, forcing a bad touch that Williams was able to steal away and pass to an open McCain. The second-year midfielder found the right corner of the goal and knotted the game at 1-1.

Williams exited the match shortly after that with an injury to her leg. With Kansas City having already used its allotted substitutions, the team was forced to play the final 10 minutes of the match with only 10 players.

Potter did not allow his team to panic as he directed his team to keep on the attack. McCain nearly netted her second goal in the 83rd minute, but a Louisville defender was able to just save the ball from crossing the line.

Kansas City remains on the road next week as the team travels to face the Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25.

The first home match of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas.

Season tickets and flex plans are available for all home matches at Children’s Mercy Park. For pricing and information visit KansasCityCurrent.com.

  • Story from Kansas City Current

KC Current opens Challenge Cup Friday in Louisville

Kansas City Current play the first match of the NWSL Challenge Cup against Racing Louisville FC at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 18. The game will stream on Paramount+.

The Current look to build upon the momentum generated by the seven-game unbeaten streak at home that closed the 2021 NWSL season. The team is undefeated in the preseason, with a 6-0 win against the Washington Spirit that featured six different goal scorers, and a 0-0 tie against the Orlando Pride.

Racing Louisville FC also enters their second season with several new acquisitions, including head coach Kim Björkegren, who joined the team in December.

Forward Jess McDonald signed with the team in an offseason trade with the North Carolina Courage, where she won three NWSL Championships. Draft pick Jaelin Howell joins the midfield alongside veteran Lauren Milliet, who started in 19 games and played in all 24 matches for Louisville last season.

Last meeting

The last match between the Current and Racing Louisville took place in Kansas City, Kansas, in August, where Kristen Hamilton scored the game winner for the home team in her 100th match.

The Current took home three points with a 2-1. Hamilton scored the winning goal – her second of the night – late in the first half. The overall season series is tied at 1-1-1.

New acquisitions

The Kansas City Current added eight players to the roster in the offseason, including U.S. National Team members Samantha Mewis and Lynn Williams, who both joined the team from the North Carolina Courage. Mewis holds a World Cup Championship, a NCAA Championship and a FA Cup Championship, along with numerous individual accolades.

Mewis and Williams join KC Current teammates Kristen Hamilton and Adrianna Franch in the feat of winning three previous NWSL championships.

The Current also welcome Matt Potter as their new head coach. Potter joins the team as a former United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) assistant coach, U-23 USWNT head coach and decorated NCAA coach. Previously, he led the University of Oklahoma to two NCAA tournament appearances and three double-digit win seasons.

The team also announced the addition of 2021 NWSL Draft Pick, Alex Loera, who previously opted to return to Santa Clara University to finish her collegiate career. In May of 2021 Loera led the Broncos to the school’s second NCAA Championship and earned the Honda Sport Award for soccer, given to the best collegiate female athlete in each season.

The Current’s four 2022 NWSL draft picks — Elyse Bennett, Chardonnay Curran, Jenna Winebrenner and Izzy Rodriguez — were also signed to the team this week.

Players to watch

Kansas City Current: Forward Lynn Williams — Williams is one of the most decorated forwards in NWSL history. She was named the 2016 NWSL MVP, 2016 Golden Boot winner, and ranks second-all time in NWSL career goals and assists. She has 45 caps for the U.S. with 14 international goals and 10 assists.

Racing Louisville FC: Forward Jess McDonald — McDonald ranks first all-time in regular season NWSL assists (27) and fourth in goals (51). In her time with the North Carolina Courage, the team claimed three shields (2017-2019) and three NWSL Championships wins (2016, 2018 and 2019). She was also the Championship MVP in the 2018 final.

How to watch
Racing Louisville FC vs Kansas City Current
Friday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Lynn Family Stadium
Stream on Paramount+

  • Story from KC Current

KC Current announces contract agreements for four players

The Kansas City Current jas announced contract agreements for all four of the players drafted by the club in the 2022 NWSL Draft, Elyse Bennett, Chardonnay Curran, Jenna Winebrenner and Izzy Rodriguez.

“We have been very impressed by what all four of these players have done so far in preseason,” general manager Camille Levin said. “Their maturity and ability to adapt and immediately fit into our system has been important as we look to create our identity.”

Elyse Bennett, forward, No. 23 – Bennett was the team’s first pick at the draft, taken with the seventh overall selection out of Washington State. Looking to make an immediate impact, Bennett has seen time in both of Kansas City’s preseason matches and found the back of the net for the Current in a preseason victory over the Washington Spirit on Feb. 26.

The speedy forward scored 26 goals in her collegiate career, with 12 assists along the way. Her 10 goals in 2021 led the team and propelled her to being named Third Team All Pac-12 in her final collegiate season.

Chardonnay Curran, midfield, No. 14 – Curran was selected 17th overall out of the University of Oregon. She holds the Oregon record for most appearances (92) and starts (84). She is a strong versatile midfielder who accounted for 21 points at Oregon. She scored three goals in 19 matches her senior season and finished her collegiate career with seven goals and seven assists.

Jenna Winebrenner, defense, No. 19 – Selected with the number 41 pick, Winebrenner is a Kansas City, Missouri, native where she starred for Park Hill High School before attending the University of Notre Dame. She started 53 of 55 matches for the Fighting Irish before transferring to Texas Christian University for her final collegiate season.

Izzy Rodriguez, defense, No. 18 – The 43rd selection of the draft played her collegiate career for the Ohio State Buckeyes. While there she earned Big Ten All-Freshman (2017), First Team All-Big Ten (2018, 2021) and the Big Ten Defender of the Year in 2021. From her position on the backline, Rodriguez scored eight goals and added 12 assists during her time at Ohio State.

Bennett and Curran were signed through the 2024 season. Winebrenner and Rodriguez were signed to one year contracts with an option to extend to 2024.

The Kansas City Current will open the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup with a 22-player roster, including the four rookies.

Goalkeepers (2): Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch, Cassie Miller.

Defenders (9): Elizabeth Ball, Kate Del Fava, Taylor Leach, Alex Loera, Hailie Mace, Maddie Nolf, Izzy Rodriguez, Mallory Weber, Jenna Winebrenner.

Midfielders (7): Chardonnay Curran, Kristen Edmonds, Lo’eau LaBonta, Addie McCain, Sam Mewis, Victoria Pickett (INTL), Desiree Scott.

Forwards (4): Elyse Bennett, Kristen Hamilton, Jaycie Johnson, Lynn Williams.

  • Story from KC Current