Kansas City Current Begins Second Half of 2022 NWSL Regular Season against OL Reign

July 15, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release

KANSAS CITY – For the first time in nearly a month, the Kansas City Current (4-4-3, 15 pts., 7th place) return to the friendly confines of Children’s Mercy Park for a pivotal contest against OL Reign (4-2-5, 17pts., 4th place) on Sunday, July 17 at 6 p.m. CT. The match will stream on Paramount+.

Last Sunday, Kansas City earned back-to-back regular season victories for the first time in franchise history with a 1-0 road win over the Washington Spirit. The win extended the Current’s unbeaten streak to six matches, also a franchise best. Forward Cece Kizer, appearing as a second-half substitute, scored the contest’s lone goal in the 68th minute, as she hustled to find the back of the net following a dangerous cross from defender Kate Del Fava. Current goalkeeper AD Franch secured Kansas City’s victory in stoppage time with an incredible penalty kick save.

The Reign also bring a modest unbeaten run into Sunday’s contest. June 4 marked OL Reign’s last defeat, and the team is unbeaten in its last four matches, most recently earning a 2-2 draw with the Portland Thorns last Sunday. Reign equalized from down a goal twice against the Thorns, with midfielder Olivia Athens scoring seconds after Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. Portland took a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute, but OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer headed in a cross in the 81st minute to level the match.

STRIDES SINCE SEATTLE

Sunday’s match is the second and final meeting of the 2022 regular season between Kansas City and OL Reign, but their first matchup proved to be a vital turning point for head coach Matt Potter’s squad.

On May 25, OL Reign beat Kansas City 1-0 at Lumen Field, a result that dropped the Current to 0-4-1 on the season. Despite a heroic performance from Franch, who finished with eight saves, and an organized Kansas City back line, Balcer broke through for the match-winning header in the 80th minute. Missing several players due to COVID, the loss was the second straight for the Current.

After that match in Seattle, the Current began a torrid six-game stretch in which they’ve collected 14 points (four wins, two draws), the most of any NWSL team over that period. The Current remained unblemished through a four-game homestand, and most recently picked up consecutive road victories. The six-game unbeaten streak has the Current tied with the Houston Dash for sixth place.

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