Darian Jenkins Scores Early in Kansas City's 2-1 Loss to Washington Spirit

LEESBURG, Va. (Sept. 26, 2021) - After a three-week break, Kansas City NWSL traveled to Segra Field to take on the Washington Spirit for just the second time this season. Darian Jenkins fired home a perfectly placed near-post shot in the eighth minute of play to give Kansas City the early 1-0 lead.  However, Washington answered with goals late in the first half and 11 seconds into the second half to come away with a 2-1 victory.

Washington came out on the front foot the first five minutes of the game finding a near chance in the fourth minute from Kumi Yokoyama. Kansas City quickly answered with a rocket from Lo’eau LaBonta in the sixth minute of play that sailed just over the net.

It didn’t take long after that for Kansas City to gain momentum when Jenkins found the back of the net in the ninth minute. Midfielder Victoria Pickett intercepted a Washington pass in the middle of the field then quickly passed the ball wide. Jenkins did the rest when she cut in from the right side of the box to fire a near-post shot past Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

Kansas City goalkeeper Adrianna Franch came up with a big save 20th minute. Washington’s Ashley Sanchez found herself free after she blocked defender Elizabeth Ball’s pass and an odd bounce off the turf allowed her to get a quick touch past the goalkeeper, but Franch was able to dive and cover the ball before Sanchez could get a shot off.

Kansas City continued to pressure the Washington back line with chances coming from Jenkins, Kristen Hamilton and midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta.

Despite Kansas City’s attack, Washington was able to equalize just before the first half ended. Spirit defender Kelley O’Hara fell to the ground after getting bumped by KC defender Kiki Pickett just inside the penalty box. Referee Karen Abt signaled a penalty kick, which midfielder Andi Sullivan slotted to the right side of goal, tying the game at 1-1 as the halftime whistle blew.

The change in momentum carried over into the second half as Washington only needed 11 seconds to take the lead. Forward Tara McKeown jumped on an errant pass and found the back of the net, giving Washington a 2-1 lead that they held on to for the remainder of the game.

Kansas City will now return home for the first of four October matches at Legends Field on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. CT to take on the Houston Dash. The game will be broadcast locally on KCTV5 and stream nationally on Paramount+. For tickets and information visit kansascitycurrent.com.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Washington Spirit vs Kansas City NWSL
Date: September 26, 2021
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg, Virginia
Kickoff: 4:08 p.m. CT, 5:08 p.m. ET
Weather: 74 degrees, sunny

Discipline
47’ KC - K. Pickett (Yellow)
47’ KC - Hamilton (Yellow)
53’ WAS - Sanchez (Yellow)
84’ WAS - Rodman (Yellow)
90’ WAS - Huster (Yellow)

Scoring
8’ KC - Jenkins (V. Pickett)
45’ WAS - Sullivan (PK)
46’ WAS - McKeown

Scoring Summary

Lineups:
Washington: Bledsoe, Nielsen, Sonnet, Staab, O’Hara, Takarada (46’ Huster), Sullivan, Roddar (46’ Bailey), Sanchez (88’ Rodriguez), Heilferty (46’ Rodman), Yokoyama (46’ McKeown)
Substitutes Not Used: McGrady, Speckmaier, Biegalski, Schneider

Kansas City: Franch, Mace (84’ Corsie), Ball, Weber, Pickett, K., Scott, Edmonds© (63’ McCain), Pickett, V. (84’ Larroquette), LaBonta, Jenkins (63’ Silva), Hamilton
Substitutes Not Used: Rowland, Del Fava, Weber, Vincent, Bowen, Leach, Maemone