MATCH REPORT: Kansas City Current and Houston Dash Split Points in a 1-1 Draw

The Kansas City Current brought home a point on the road from Houston with a 1-1 draw, despite logging seven shots on target. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta’s impressive volley from the edge of the box in the 51st minute found the back of the net for Kansas City, while defender Michelle Alozie scored for the Dash. Both teams took the field wearing armbands with the message “Contigo Jenni” in support of Spanish National Team forward Jenni Hermoso. 

“It was a tough away game today,” said interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “I think we have played very well in the first half. We created too many goal scoring opportunities, but they had a fantastic goalkeeper today with some amazing saves. Second half, we got tired, and they subbed in quality players and one situation that they finished very well. I’m frustrated not coming home with three points but I’m also kind of satisfied with the performance because it was really hot out there.”

Kansas City largely dominated the first half, holding 57% of possession with an impressive 81% passing accuracy. The action kicked off in the 15th minute with forward Cece Kizer charging through Houston’s midfield to hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area. Her shot soared just wide of goal. 

It was Kizer again who forced a stunning save from Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell in the 23rd minute, when defender Elizabeth Ball made her way onto a header off a corner kick. Ball found Kizer at the middle of the box, and the forward perfectly directed her own header toward the top right corner. Campbell leapt to push the ball wide and deny the goal. 

Just before halftime, the Current had one more great chance at goal. Kizer laid off a well-timed pass to find forward Kristen Hamilton sprinting past the Dash defense and towards the Houston goalkeeper 1-on-1. Campbell came far off her line and forced Hamilton to shoot early, the ball slipping wide. 

LaBonta finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when a clearance from a corner kick found her at the top of the penalty area. The midfielder volleyed the bouncing ball, sending it rocketing to the top left corner for her first goal of the season. 

What an absolute 𝓻𝓸𝓬𝓴𝓮𝓽 🚀

Insane goal from LaBonta to take the lead.@L0momma | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/cx1NLzm8GP

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) August 27, 2023

The Dash equalized in the 67th minute, ending the Current’s shutout streak at 410 minutes across all competitions, a new record for the club. Houston defender Michelle Alozie found herself in a pocket of space on the edge of the penalty area. The Nigerian national took a step and sent the shot sailing to the far corner of the goal. 

The Current returns to Children’s Mercy Park to face Angel City FC on September 1 for KC Kicks Cancer Night, presented by Saint Luke’s Health System. Tickets are available for all home matches at Children’s Mercy Park. For pricing and information visit kansascitycurrent.com.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Houston Dash vs. Kansas City Current 
Date: August 26, 2023
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX  
Kickoff: 7:38 p.m. CT
Weather: 97 degrees, sunny 
Attendance: 4,536

Discipline 
4’ Houston – Jacobs (Yellow) 
61’ Kansas City – Cooper (Yellow) 
90+7’ Kansas City – Rodriguez (Yellow) 

Scoring
51’ Kansas City – LaBonta
67’ Houston – Alozie

Scoring Summary

Houston Dash: Campbell, Dydasco, Lind, Jacobs, Alozie, Schmidt © (90+2’ Hirst), Puntigam (45’ Viggiano), Sanchez, Anderson (65’ Gareis), Tucker (45’ Prince), Salmon (66’ Ordoñez) 
Unused Substitutes: Alvarado, Petersen, Prisock, Desiano 

Kansas City Current Lineup: Franch, Rodriguez, Robinson, Ball, Del Fava (90+4’ Merrick), LaBonta, Loera (81’ Curran), Mace (68’ Spaanstra), Kizer, Cooper, Hamilton © (67’ Larsson)
Unused Substitutes: Miller, Childers, Ballisager, Winebrenner, Soto