KC Current relentless in 3-2 win over Courage, running unbeaten streak to 12 games

The Kansas City Current ran their unbeaten streak to 12 games Sunday evening, beating the North Carolina Courage 3-2 in a thrilling National Women’s Soccer League match at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

The Current, who occupy third place in the NWSL standings, now own an unbeaten streak that’s tied for the second-longest in NWSL history.

“The team is showing the character that it’s never done,” Current coach Matt Potter said. “It doesn’t matter what the score, to be perfectly honest — they show the endeavor, they show the commitment and they show the care for each other.”

With Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the house, the Current (8-5-4) got on the board in the fifth minute with a penalty kick from Lo’eau LaBonta — her fifth of the season in six total goals scored. A Carolina defender was judged to have handled the ball in the box.

It was 1-1 at halftime after an equalizing goal by Brazilian Kerolin, and the Courage (4-7-4) took a 2-1 lead in the 48th minute on Kerolin’s second goal of the night. But from there, the Current started to get forward and the chances came often.

“We’ve been in that position pretty recently,” KC defender Elizabeth Ball said. “So I think everybody had their head on straight. We were honestly just focused on getting the next one and staying composed and we knew we had it.”

Kristen Hamilton added that the team has “a never say die attitude.”

The momentum culminated in two Kansas City goals in a span of just three minutes: the first in the 56th on an Alex Loera corner kick headed in by Cece Kizer, the second in the 59th via Kristen Hamilton’s close-range finish of a sweet setup from Kate Del Fava and Hailie Mace.

“We kept possession in the final third, enough to get runners in the box (and) Kate in a good area,” Hamilton said. “It was a perfect cross, just played on the ground for me, and it was a tap-in.”

The Current held on from there, not conceding another big chance to the Courage through the final 30 minutes. Carolina’s Debinha, Diana Ordoñez and Kerolin threw everything they had at them during that stretch, and the Current back line dealt with it expertly.

“They have an incredible front line,” Ball said. “So it’s important that we, you know, stay together and hold our feet, make sure that we just stay focused on where their movements are and tracking runners.”

Next weekend, Mace and others on the U.S. Women’s National Team will be in action against Nigeria at Children’s Mercy Park. The Saturday match kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Central.

The Current next play Sept. 11 at Gotham.