August 18, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Current officially completed the club’s International Summer of Soccer without a loss, taking down Atlético de Madrid 1-0 Saturday night at CPKC Stadium in the championship of The Women’s Cup. Midfielder Debinha scored the game-winning goal in the 12th minute following an excellent give-and-go with forward Temwa Chawinga. Both defenses held firm from there, but Debinha’s strike allowed the Current to end its summer with a trophy.
“I hope this is just the beginning,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “We want to do so much more. We want to do more, obviously, for the organization, we want to do a lot more for the community because the support they give us in every game that we play is incredible.”
Saturday’s championship match got off to a quick start, with both sides finding quality scoring opportunities in the early going. In the ninth minute, Atlético forward Rasheedat Ajibade served in a dangerous cross that fell for fellow forward Synne Jensen at the penalty spot after deflecting off a Current defender. Jensen had a clean look at goal from near the penalty spot, but her volleyed effort sailed just high of Current goalkeeper AD Franch’s net.
The Current broke through minutes later following a brilliant team move. In the 12th minute, Debinha found Chawinga near the top of Atlético’s 18-yard box, and Chawinga met the Brazilian’s darting run with an inch-perfect return pass that rolled just to the left of the penalty spot. Debinha completed the move with a left-footed strike that found the bottom corner of the goal to put the Current ahead 1-0.
Both sides settled into the match from there, and Debinha’s effort marked the lone shot on target of the first half. The Current out-shot Atlético 6-2 in the opening frame.
The Current continued to pepper the Atlético net in the second half. Atlético goalkeeper Lola Gallardo was called into action on multiple occasions to keep the Current’s advantage at one goal, including a diving save on a long-range effort from Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo in the 52nd minute. Gallardo made another excellent stop just over ten minutes later, as she stood tall to deny a one-on-one opportunity from forward Michelle Cooper.
Atlético’s best chance of the match came in the 72nd minute. Ajibade was the catalyst, sliding a through ball for forward Giovanna Queiroz. From the right side of the Current’s…