Kansas City Current face defending NWSL Champion NJ/NY Gotham

The Kansas City Current (3-0-0, 9pts., 1st place) travel to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey this weekend to face the defending NWSL Champion NJ/NY Gotham FC (1-1-0, 3pts. 7th place). The match will broadcast in Kansas City on KMCI, 38 The Spot and stream nationally on NWSL+. Fans can listen to the match on 90.9 The Bridge FM in Kansas City or listen to English, Spanish and Portuguese broadcasts on the KC Current App, available on Apple and Android platforms.

Kansas City is the lone team in the NWSL that has yet to drop points in league action with three wins in three matches. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski has his team hitting on all cylinders with nine different players finding their way onto the score sheet and 11 goals so far on the season.

Prior to the international break, Kansas City entertained another sellout crowd at CPKC Stadium with a 4-2 victory over Angel City FC. Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo got the scoring started for the second straight home game. In the sixth minute forward Temwa Chawinga drew four players to her toward the top of the penalty box, she laid off an easy pass to the right where DiBernardo could run on and slot it in the upper right corner of the net. Forward Alexa Spaanstra picked up her first goal of the 2024 campaign just before halftime, heading in a cross from DiBernardo in first half stoppage time.

Chawinga picked up her first goal of 2024 in 51st minute. Running wide-open on the right side of the field, she was able to get on the end of a pass from forward Bia Zaneratto and find herself one-on-one with the Angel City goalkeeper. Calmly she sent her shot over the sliding ‘keeper and under the cross bar. Zaneratto then sealed the 4-2 win with a goal in second half stoppage time.

Gotham was unable to get in the win column in the club’s last match, losing 1-0 on the road against the North Carolina Courage. The visitors dominated play on the stats sheet. Gotham outshot the Courage and spent much of the second half in the attacking half of the field but could not find the back of the net. Forwards Bruninha and Tierna Davidson had the best chances of the match for Gotham but sailed their shots wide of net or over the crossbar. Sunday’s match against Kansas City will be Gotham’s 2024 home opener and the players will receive their 2023 Championship rings in a pregame ceremony.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo – DiBernardo is enjoying a fabulous start to the 2024 campaign. She leads all scorers on the club with two goals and two assists. The 11-year veteran has been crucial for the Current in all three matches so far this season. She has a goal and assist in each of the two home matches this season and played a pivotal role in the buildup to both goals on the road at San Diego. On pace to 15,000 minutes played later this season, DiBernardo is an impact player for the Current.

NJ/NY Gotham forward Esther Gonzàlez – Gonzàlez joined Gotham in the 2023 season following a World Cup winning run with Spain. She was a crucial part of Gotham’s run to the title, creating chances and winning the aerial duels throughout the back half of the season. She has four goals since joining last season, including the winning score in the 2023 NWSL Championship and Gotham’s lone goal this season.

BROADCAST PARTNERS 
Following the landmark new broadcast announcement from the NWSL this season, the Kansas City Current this week announced three broadcast partnerships for local match coverage. The club has renewed its partnership with Scripps Television owned KSHB and KMCI, with eight locally produced games to be broadcast on KMCI, 38 The Spot, starting with Sunday's match against Gotham. In addition, 38 The Spot will also simulcast seven of Kansas City’s matches broadcast on ION Television.

Fans on-the-go can tune into audio coverage of every match this season on radio partner 90.9 The Bridge or listen on the KC Current App. Additionally on the app, the Current are proud to partner with Tico Sports to deliver audio streaming coverage of each match in Spanish and select matches in Portuguese.

RETURN OF THE DESTROYER
Kansas City Current fans have had much to cheer for this season at CPKC Stadium, but one of the loudest roars from the stands came in the last match against Angel City when veteran midfielder Desiree Scott made her return to the field as a late substitute. The Canadian international was an original member of the NWSL in 2013, playing with FC Kansas City. She made her way back to KC when the Current were born in 2021 and has always been a fan favorite. Missing the 2023 season due to an injury, Scott is expected to be available for selection again in Sunday’s match against Gotham.