Tag: Soccer

KC Current earn second straight shutout

The Kansas City Current earned a clean sheet for the second match in a row, this time playing the Orlando Pride to a 0-0 draw on March 2.

Midfielder Sam Mewis made her debut for the team coming on to the pitch in the 70th minute.

Continuing to show confidence in his young players, head coach Matt Potter once again started a defensive backfield featuring three rookies; Jenna Winebrenner, Alex Loera and Izzy Rodriguez. Along with Maddie Nolf, the Current back line stood tall early in the game as Orlando’s Sydney Leroux and Marta tried to crack through the defense.

“I love playing center back and I’m always up for the challenge,” Loera said. “Going up against players like Sydney Leroux and Marta and playing against Lynn Williams in practice. I’m just excited for where these vets are going to take me in my journey and I’m really looking forward to continuing to be challenged.”

Early in the match, Orlando’s Marta intercepted a pass and drove toward goal. Goalkeeper A.D. Franch rushed toward the attacker, forcing an early shot that just arced over Franch’s hands. Rookie Winebrenner rushed toward the line and was able to get there in time to clear the ball and keep the Pride off the score sheet.

“I like the contribution all-around,” Potter said. “We have a good balance in the team of experience and youth and throughout the game both contributed. For me, I thought one picked up the other when needed. That’s our identity… Whether they’re rookies or returners, it doesn’t matter. They brought value to the team tonight and that’s a positive step for where we are.”

The Current have one more preseason match scheduled against the University of Nebraska at 4 p.m. March 11 at Hibner Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup opens with the Current on the road to face Racing Louisville at 6:30 p.m. March 18. The team will open its home portion of the Challenge Cup Schedule, also against Louisville, at 2 p.m. April 2.

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

  • Information from KC Current

KC Current opens preseason with victory over Washington Spirit

The Kansas City Current opened the preseason schedule with a victory and clean sheet as it defeated the Washington Spirit 6-0 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Six different players found the back of the net for the Current, and goalkeepers A.D. Franch and Cassie Miller split time as they shut out the Spirit.

For head coach Matt Potter, Saturday’s match was about continuing to build the team identity, while getting a look at some of the youngest players on the roster.

“To play three rookies in the back four, in their first ever real competitive game…I thought that group stood out well,” Potter said.

Third-year defender Maddie Nolf was the only veteran on the team’s starting back line. Alex Loera and Jenna Winebrenner were the team’s starting center back pairing, with Izzy Rodriguez manning the left back position.

Rodriguez got the scoring started in the 10th minute of the match after fellow rookie Chardonnay Curran won the ball in the midfield and attacked the Spirit goal. Her cross into the box found forward Kristen Hamilton who touched the ball back to Rodriguez for the power strike.

Newly acquired forward Lynn Williams was next on the scoring sheet with her first goal of the preseason in the 21st minute. Williams followed that up in the 29th minute with her first assist of the preseason, crossing the ball from the right side to where midfielder Addie McCain was waiting to bury it home.

Hamilton closed out the half with a score of her own, beating the entire Spirit defense to the ball and curling a shot into the goal.

Thursday, midfielder Victoria Pickett returned to the club after spending time with the Canadian National Team at the Arnold Clark Cup in England. In today’s match, Pickett needed no time to get back into club form as she found herself inserted into the second-half lineup.

While the Spirit tried to build their attack, Pickett jumped the defender and stole the ball. With a clear path to goal, the second-year player chipped her shot over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The scoring was capped off by 2022 First Round Draft Pick Elyse Bennett. After winning the ball on the side, she passed into a running Jaycie Johnson. The resilient Johnson worked her way to the right side of the box, drawing the defense to her before sliding the ball across the box where Bennett only needed to tap it in.

Despite the 6-0 score, Potter was most impressed with his team’s defense. The Spirit were held to three total shots with none on goal.

“I think, obviously we want to score goals, but more importantly we want to be known as a team that it’s tough to score goals on, and anytime you get a clean sheet you’ve earned that, and that’s what we want to be about,” he said.

The preseason continues March 2 as the Current travel to Exploria Stadium to face the Orlando Pride at 6 p.m. The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off March 18 with the Current on the road to face off against Racing Louisville FC at 6:30 p.m.

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

  • Story from KC Current

KC Current sign three players

Taylor Leach (Submitted photo)
Kate Del Fava (Submitted photo)
Jaycie Johnson (Submitted photo

The Kansas City Current has signed new contracts for Taylor Leach, Kate Del Fava and Jaycie Johnson as the team started preseason camp. The Current will open preseason training with 28 players.

Taylor Leach returns for her third season in the NWSL, having joined the Utah Royals before the 2020 Challenge Cup. Her professional career began in Sweden with Sunnanå, Östersunds DFF and Göteburg from 2016 to 2019. In 2021 Leach saw action in eight games for Kansas City, highlighted by her equalizing goal in the final moments against the Houston Dash on May 23.

Kate Del Fava was drafted by the Utah Royals in 2020, making four appearances in the Challenge Cup and two in the Fall Series. This past season, Del Fava appeared in a total of nine games for Kansas City, starting three games at center back.

Jaycie Johnson, Kansas City area native, starred at Lee’s Summit West High School before heading to the University of Nebraska. Johnson was drafted by the North Carolina Courage in 2017 but missed her rookie season with a knee injury. Following two seasons with OL Reign, Johnson signed with Kansas City before the 2021 season.

Leach, Del Fava and Johnson round out the Current’s 28 player preseason roster, including all four players selected in the 2022 NWSL Draft, 2021 NWSL Draft selection Brookelyn Entz and other Non-Roster Invitees.

2022 Kansas City Current preseason roster
Goalkeepers (4): Kelsey Dossey (NRI, non-roster invitee), Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch, Carly Nelson (LOAN, player on loan), Kayla Thompson (NRI)

Defenders (8): Elizabeth Ball, Kate Del Fava, Brookelyn Entz (NRI), Taylor Leach, Alex Loera, Izzy Rodriguez (CDP, College Draft pick), Mallory Weber, Jenna Winebrenner (CDP)

Midfielders (10): Chardonnay Curran (CDP), Kristen Edmonds, Lo’eau LaBonta, Chloe Logarzo (NYR), Hailie Mace, Addie McCain, Sam Mewis, Maddie Nolf, Victoria Pickett (NYR), Desiree Scott

Forwards (6): Mollie Belisle (NRI), Elyse Bennett (CDP), Kristen Hamilton, Jaycie Johnson, Lynn Williams, Michele Vasconcelos (LOAN)