Match Preview: Kansas City Current begin homestand with Memorial Day matchup against Racing Louisville

The Kansas City Current will spend Memorial Day at Children’s Mercy Park for the first of four straight home games, as the team hosts Racing Louisville FC at 2 p.m. CT Monday, May 30. Paramount+ will provide a national stream of Monday’s match.

During the Kansas City Current’s two-game west coast road trip, Kansas City was without several key players and head coach Matt Potter due to COVID-19 protocols. The Current enter Monday’s contest on the heels of a 1-0 loss to OL Reign Wednesday night, a match that featured a sound defensive performance before a headed goal by Reign forward Bethany Balcer in the 80th minute.

Racing Louisville FC last played May 22, a 1-0 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC that gave Louisville its first two-match winning streak in club history. Midfielder Lauren Milliet scored the contest’s lone goal on a well-worked sequence in the 13th minute, and Louisville’s defense did just enough to keep Gotham off the scoreboard.

IN-FORM FRANCH
Kansas City Current goalkeeper AD Franch had another stellar performance against OL Reign Wednesday night, her 100th NWSL appearance. Franch becomes only the fourth goalkeeper to reach that milestone. 

Franch kept the Current in the match all night with a host of quality saves. Arguably the best of the bunch was a one-on-one denial of Reign forward Tziarra King in the 22nd minute that was crucial in keeping the match scoreless in the opening half. She made six saves in the first half and eight overall, the second-most single match saves that Franch has recorded as a member of the Current.

Franch’s impressive performance moved her to the top of the NWSL saves list in 2022 with 26. Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund’s 19 saves rank third in the NWSL, setting the stage for another clash between the league’s top shot-stoppers.

SNACKS DAY
Monday’s match is SNACKS Day, as the club is promoting the popular podcast hosted by Kansas City Current teammates Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams.

Founded in 2021, the podcast gives listeners unique access into both the on and off-field lives of two U.S. Women’s National Team stars. Episodes feature Mewis and Williams having authentic conversations about day-to-day issues with each other and fellow NWSL players and teammates. And, of course, they discuss their shared love of all kinds of snacks. 

Promotional giveaways at the match include SNACKS T-shirt tosses, sticker and tote bag giveaways, special in-game content and more. The Just Women’s Sports-produced podcast, which entered its third season in May 2022, can be listened to wherever podcasts are found.

HOME FOR THE SUMMER
Monday’s match starts a stretch of four home matches for the Current. Kansas City hosts the San Diego Wave in the team’s inaugural meeting June 4, then Gotham FC and Chicago visit Children’s Mercy Park June 11 and 18, respectively. Season Tickets and Flex plans are available for all home matches at Children’s Mercy Park. For pricing and information visit kansascitycurrent.com.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City Current defender Elizabeth Ball — Ball provided a major boost to Kansas City’s shorthanded defense over the last week, playing a combined 175 minutes in road matches against Angel City FC and OL Reign. The veteran defender was crucial in keeping the Current’s back line organized as they withstood pressure in both matches. She was also involved offensively against OL Reign, with two total shots including a threatening header that required a Reign clearance in the second half. So far this season, Ball has recorded 15 clearances, eight blocks and 14 interceptions. 

Racing Louisville forward Cece Kizer— The Overland Park, Kansas native and Blue Valley Northwest graduate is enjoying a strong start to her fourth professional season. In the 2022 Challenge Cup, she found success against Kansas City. When the teams first met March 18, Kizer opened the scoring with a brilliant individual run that was capped with a left-footed finish on an assist from McDonald. In the team’s second meeting April 3, Kizer played a key pass into the 18-yard box which was eventually nodded in by Milliet to give Louisville a 2-0 lead. Kizer has started all five of Louisville’s regular season matches and has recorded two assists and four key passes.

MATCH INFO
Kansas City Current vs Racing Louisville
Monday, May 30 at 2 p.m. CT 
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, Kansas.
Stream on Paramount+