As Kansas City NWSL prepares for its first NWSL regular season, the team announced today that individual match tickets are on sale.
Fans will be able to purchase their tickets for any of the 12 regular season home games at KCWoso.com.
In addition, the team announced that Legends Field will be open to full capacity beginning with the regular season home opener at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 26.
Masks will be highly encouraged in group settings and required for all indoor spaces. Select socially-distanced seating will be available as well.
Individual match tickets begin at only $20 per ticket. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounted individual match tickets.
Fans looking for the best seats at the best prices can also purchase full season tickets or a flex plan. The Power or Light Flex Plans include 12 or six match tickets. For more information, visit KCWoso.com or the Ticket Central booth on the concourse of Legends Field on match days.
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.
Kansas City forward Michele Vasconcelos celebrated as she watched her shot hit the net in the second half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta took a shot from the right side of the Houston goal. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City forward Michele Vasoncelos talked with several young fans and their moms along the sidelines after the game. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
KC NWSL co-owner Brittany Matthews brought her fiance, Patrick Mahomes, along to celebrate the home opener. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Forward Chloe Logarzo put a shot on goal in the 2nd half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City defender Kate Bowen tried to get the ball past Houston defender Allysha Chapman. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
A tangle between Kansas City defender Rachel Corsie and Houston forward Rachel Daly led to a penalty kick that put Houston up 2-0. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Houston forward Kristie Mewis scored two goals in the 3-1 contest. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Houston forward Rachel Daly headed a shot on goal in the first half. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kansas City NWSL earned its first point of the 2021 Challenge Cup season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday in Chicago.
A defensive battle for most of the night, both teams were able to find the back of the net in the final 10 minutes to end the night tied up at 1-1.
Earlier in the week, head coach Huw Williams talked with media about the strong Chicago midfield, and they proved to be a problem throughout the first half. Kansas City continuously found themselves facing an attack from the Red Stars. Goalkeeper Abby Smith stood strong as she and her defense turned away several attacks and five first-half corner kicks.
At halftime Williams adjusted his team’s focus to bring his attackers inside and try to drive the offense through the middle of the field. The adjustments allowed Kansas City to control possession through the first 15 minutes of the second half. KC added six shots in the second half.
The stalemate was finally broken in the 80th minute. Smith punted the ball from her penalty box two-thirds of the way down the field. When she noticed some confusion between the Chicago defense and their goalkeeper, forward Amy Rodriguez jumped on the bouncing ball and slotted it into the back of the net.
Chicago answered only two minutes later as Katie Johnson converted on a pass from Arin Wright in the 82nd minute.
Both teams pushed towards goal in the final minutes, but neither side could find a goal. The draw earns Kansas City a point in the Challenge Cup tournament, its first in team history.
Kansas City returns home and turns its focus on the Houston Dash, who they are playing host to on Monday, April 26, at home at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.
