April 15, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Current reclaimed first place in the Central Division of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win over the Houston Dash on Friday night in front of a crowd of over 5,000 fans at Children’s Mercy Park.
“Obviously, nothing like a home win,” said head coach Matt Potter. “Delighted with the result. Incredible again with the noise, the atmosphere and the fanbase was fantastic all the way through and certainly helped towards the end of the game. That was the first thing we wanted to do when the game ended, was go celebrate with the people that matter.”
The Current kicked things off with an early goal in the fourth minute. Rookie midfielder Izzy Rodriguez, making her first professional start, found herself on the end of a ball kept in bounds by forward Elyse Bennett. Rodriguez crossed it through the penalty box to find forward Kristen Hamilton, who headed it past the Houston goalkeeper. It was Rodriguez’s first career assist.
The Dash nearly answered in the 28th minute when defender Michelle Alonzie found herself open on the right flank. Current goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made a diving save to keep the lead for Kansas City.
However, Kansas City native Shea Groom tied the score for the Dash in the 59th minute, finding herself on the end of a long cross from Maria Sànchez. Her shot slid underneath Franch to tie the game.
Just three minutes after being subbed on, midfielder Victoria Pickett retook the lead for Kansas City in the 80th minute. A free kick for the Current from Edmonds found Chardonnay Curran in the box, who fought to keep the ball before it deflected off the back line and fell to the feet of Pickett. Pickett’s shot sailed through the legs of goalkeeper Jane Campbell for the Current’s game winner.
“It’s a team effort and it’s going to take every single one of us,” said midfielder Victoria Pickett. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in the…