July 8, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Current (3-4-3, 12 points) remains on the road this weekend to play the Washington Spirit (1-4-6, 9 points) for the first time in the 2022 campaign. The match kicks off Sunday, July 10 at 4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast locally on KMCI, 38 the Spot and stream nationally on Paramount+.
Last time out, head coach Matt Potter’s Current extended its unbeaten run to a club-best five matches in a 2-1 road victory over the Houston Dash on July 1. The Current found the net on each side of the halftime break, with midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta converting a penalty kick in the 43rd minute and Hailie Mace scoring the match-winning goal off a Cece Kizer assist in the 46th minute. The win marked Kansas City’s first-ever regular season road win in NWSL regular season play.
The Washington Spirit fell 2-1 on the road against the San Diego Wave on July 3. Without seven United States Women’s National Team players due to the ongoing CONCACAF W Championship, the Spirit fell behind 2-0 in the first half and was unable to make up the difference. Midfielder Jordan Baggett scored Washington’s lone goal of the contest, a headed finish in the third minute of second half stoppage time.
INSIDE THE STREAK
With Sunday’s match marking the official halfway point of the 2022 NWSL regular season, the Kansas City Current have nearly eclipsed last season’s point total of 16.
The Current’s torrid start to the 2022 campaign has been boosted by the team’s ongoing five-match unbeaten streak, in which Kansas City has found positive results in a multitude of ways. Strong defensive performances have anchored recent shutout victories over Racing Louisville and NJ/NY Gotham, while the goalscoring prowess of forward Kristen Hamilton has helped the Current secure draws against the Wave and the Chicago Red Stars.
Kansas City has trailed for a total of just 10 minutes over its last five matches, which all came in the buildup to Kizer’s equalizing goal against the Red Stars on June 18. Most impressively, the unbeaten streak has catapulted the Current right into the mix for a potential spot in the NWSL playoffs.
FANTASTIC FRANCH
Current goalkeeper AD Franch had another stellar performance against Houston on Friday night.
The Salina, Kansas native made five saves against Houston to extend her total in the 2022 regular season to 37, which ranks second in the NWSL. Franch made a variety of…