August 7, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – Powered by goals from forward Temwa Chawinga and midfielder Debinha, the Kansas City Current defeated the North Carolina Courage 2-0 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup semifinal Tuesday night at CPKC Stadium. With the win, the Current advance to the inaugural Summer Cup championship match October 25 in San Antonio.
“If we stick to who we are, if we do what we do best, if we are being ourselves, the outcome is going to be a success,” Kansas City Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “It showed today, we represented our team in the best possible manner.”
The second match of the semifinal doubleheader at CPKC Stadium kicked off as Kansas City sought to keep its Summer Cup unbeaten streak alive.
The Current wasted no time in forcing Courage goalkeeper Marisa Bova into action. Within 45 seconds of the starting whistle, Chawinga forced a save on a close shot from inside the penalty box.
Nearly a minute later, Chawinga, who missed Kansas City’s last two matches due to injury, punctuated her return with the fastest goal in Summer Cup play only 1:43 into the match. After receiving a ball from midfielder Debinha, the Malawian striker fired a shot that caromed off Bova, right back to where Debinha was waiting. Debinha’s ensuing shot was blocked and skittered toward a running Chawinga, who delivered into the empty net to put Kansas City up 1-0.
Both teams then traded attacks, with Kansas City tallying four more shots on target. At the halftime break, the score remained 1-0 to the Current. Strong performances from the Current’s back line, including spectacular tackles from defenders Alana Cook and Ellie Wheeler, kept the visitors off the board.
In the 56th minute, a corner kick from North Carolina’s Malia Berkely was sent into the fray and eventually popped to her teammate, midfielder Dani Weatherholt. The North Carolina forward’s header popped over Franch for the apparent equalizer, but the goal was disallowed due to Weatherholt being in an offside position.
The Current mobilized another chance in the 72nd minute as Debinha fed defender Hailie Mace down the right sideline, allowing her to send a cross into the box. The cross deflected off Debinha and right to forward Michelle Cooper, but her shot sailed just wide.
Goalkeeper AD Franch held onto her clean sheet in the 75th minute with a highlight-worthy save. North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez spun free near the…