September 6, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Current (10-3-5, 35pts., 3rd place) return to NWSL action at CPKC Stadium Saturday evening with a clash against Utah Royals FC (4-11-3, 15pts., 13th place). Saturday’s match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally with JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden on ION and simulcast on KMCI, 38 The Spot. Fans in Kansas City can listen to Dave Borchardt and Jake Yadrich call the Current’s match on 90.9 The Bridge or on the KC Current app in English and Spanish.
Saturday’s contest marks the Current’s first NWSL home match in just over two months as the club looks to return to winning ways. Following a strong International Summer of Soccer, Kansas City has dropped its first two matches following the NWSL’s Olympic Break. Last Sunday, the Current suffered a 2-1 defeat against the North Carolina Courage after the Courage scored the game-winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Forward Temwa Chawinga opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with a historic goal that extended her NWSL-record scoring streak. Chawinga has now scored in seven consecutive NWSL matches, a feat that has never been matched in the league’s decade-long history. Weather also dominated the story of the second half, as the second stanza of the match saw torrential downpours at WakeMed Soccer Park and a 92-minute weather delay. The delay came in the 80th minute, and Courage forward Brianna Pinto scored the game-winning goal 13 minutes after the match resumed.
Utah has won four consecutive matches across all competitions, including victories in its first two matches since the Olympic Break. A 16-minute scoring blitz led the Royals to a 3-1 road victory over the Houston Dash last Saturday. Midfielder Ana Tejada opened the scoring in the 44th minute, then fellow midfielder Claudia Zornoza doubled Utah’s lead from the penalty spot in the 55th minute. Forward Paige Monaghan gave the Royals a commanding 3-0 lead with a goal in the 60th minute. Houston’s lone goal of the match came in the 73rd minute. Utah has scored multiple goals in all four matches of its ongoing winning streak.
The Current won the first meeting between the sides back in May. Defender Elizabeth Ball notched the lone goal of the contest in a 1-0 Kansas City victory, becoming the 15th different goal scorer for the Current in 2024. The Current have since extended that NWSL record to 17…