May 3, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Central Division winning Kansas City Current host the club’s first-ever playoff appearance against the North Carolina Courage in the Challenge Cup semifinal Wednesday, May 4. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Park, where the team is 2-1-0 on the season. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+.
FIRST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE
In just the second year of play for the club, the Kansas City Current will host its first-ever appearance in the playoffs. The team won the Challenge Cup Central Division with a 4-1-1 record, one of only two teams in the NWSL with four wins. The North Carolina Courage finished at the top of the Eastern Division with a 3-0-3 record.
FAMILIARITY
This will be the first time these two sides meet in 2022, but the teams have a familiarity with each other. Four players on Kansas City’s roster once called North Carolina home. Forward Kristen Hamilton and defender Hailie Mace were acquired by Kansas City in a trade midway through the 2021 season while midfielder Sam Mewis and forward Lynn Williams were acquired in two separate trades this offseason.
For North Carolina, their roster also features four players with Kansas City ties. Former KC first round draft choice Kiki Pickett was sent to the Courage as part of the trade for Mewis, while goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland returned to North Carolina in the Williams trade. Forward Brittany Ratcliffe spent the 2021 preseason in Kansas City before signing with the Courage for the regular season and former KC defender Katie Bowen joined the Courage this offseason.
PREVIOUS MATCHUPS
The Current and Courage met up three times last season, with two of the matches ending in 0-0 draws. The Courage produced the only win between the two August 21. The last matchup was played in Kansas City on Sept. 5, 2021. Midfielder Desiree Scott became only the second Canadian player to earn her 100th NWSL…