October 21, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – Following a thrilling first-round victory in the quarterfinal round of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) playoffs, the #5 Kansas City Current finds itself just one match away from the NWSL Championship. Up next for the Current is a road tilt against #1 OL Reign Sunday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Lumen Field. The match is broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network and locally on ESPN Kansas City 1510 AM, 94.5 FM.
In its first-ever playoff appearance, the Current advanced to the semifinal round on a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dash Sunday. A goal from defender Kate Del Fava in the 100th minute proved decisive as the club picked up its first playoff victory in franchise history.
Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a penalty kick after forward Kristen Hamilton drew a foul in the penalty area. The Dash promptly responded in the 21st minute with a left-footed strike from midfielder Sophie Schmidt to tie the match at 1-1. Neither side could quite break the deadlock from there, and Current goalkeeper AD Franch made multiple crucial saves when Houston generated scoring opportunities.
Then, late in second-half stoppage time, the Current won the ball in the Dash’s attacking third after defender Alex Loera picked off a Houston clearance attempt. She combined with LaBonta for a give-and-go on the left side of the penalty area, then Loera slid a pass to a waiting Del Fava right in front of goal. Del Fava directed the ball to the far corner of the net, giving Kansas City a historic win, while also recording her first career NWSL goal in the process.
OL Reign was idle last weekend after receiving a first-round bye. Head coach Laura Harvey’s squad earned a bye and the No. 1 seed in the NWSL Playoffs after closing the season on a seven-match unbeaten streak in league play. OL Reign enters the postseason on a three-match winning streak in which the team shut out all three of its opponents. OL Reign hasn’t allowed a goal since the first half of its 2-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage on Sept. 17.
GOALKEEPER WARS
Sunday’s high-stakes clash could ultimately come down to the squad with the soundest defense and goalkeeping, as both regular-season matches between the Current and Reign ended with each side recording a 1-0 victory.
Goals could be at a premium given the caliber of both Franch and OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon…