Kansas City Current extend impressive unbeaten streak with Sunday victory at Gotham FC
The Kansas City Current looked a little out of sorts initially in their return to play following the international hiatus.
They would need something to break their way if they were going to extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games, especially when Claire Lavogez’s shot very nearly crossed the line in the second half Sunday afternoon at Gotham FC.
“I thought at times we showed how threatening we can be,” Current coach Matt Potter said. “We got ourselves into good positions, but sometimes those moments happen and credit to Gotham for making it really difficult for the players.”
It looked like perhaps luck wasn’t on the Current’s side, but that changed when the hosts’ Ellie Jean clumsily clattered into Lavogez in the 78th minute, resulting in a penalty kick for the Current. Lo LaBonta had been subbed off at that point, so Hailie Mace stepped up to take the kick.
“I kind of looked around the field, and I was like, ‘oh shoot, Lo is not in anymore,’” Mace said. “I was just taking my time to get to the spot because usually the other team will try and just delay the penalty kick.”
Mace, fresh off two appearances in the past week for the U.S. Women’s National Team — including a game in Kansas City, Kansas, against Nigeria — blasted the ball high to the Gotham keeper’s right side to give the Current a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.
AD Franch made three saves in the with, and kept her 40th career clean sheet. She is now just the second goalkeeper in NWSL history to reach 40, and is 12 away from Nicole Barnhart’s record of 52.
“I’m just doing one of the things that I love to do,” French said. “I’m blessed to be able to continue to play, and be a part of the teams that I’ve been a part of to help do that.
“It’s not just me who is getting that shutout, it’s all the defenders and teams that I’ve played with that has helped that.”
With the win, the Current (9-4-5) moved into first place in the National Women’s Soccer League and extended what is now the second-longest unbeaten streak in league history. The longest, 17 games, was set by the OL Reign (then known as the Seattle Reign) in 2014.
With a game in hand on those below them, the Current on Wednesday at Chicago can make first place their own and solidify their hold on the inside track to the NWSL’s regular-season shield. That match at the Red Stars kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
The Current have yet to really be “the hunted” team, but that will likely be the case in the coming weeks. It’s a position that might be a stark contrast to what took place last season. Despite that, the Current are not phased by it.
“The table is super tight, so every game’s gonna be competitive,” Mace said. “But I think we’re kind of just trying to ‘do us’ and focus on ourselves for each game, and just keep getting better.”
Then, the Current return home to Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, Sept. 18 for a game against the Portland Thorns.
