No goals for Kansas City Current in Seattle, but unbeaten streak remains intact

The Kansas City Current remains unbeaten through eight matches to begin the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season.

But the side from KC was held scoreless in a match for the first time all year late Wednesday evening, playing to a 0-0 draw against the Seattle Reign at Lumen Field in Seattle.

“I can’t say we’re happy with the point (earned from the tie),” said Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski, “because we created enough opportunities to win the game. Once again, the opponent’s goalkeeper was the best player on the field.”

The point the Current (5-0-3) earned from the road draw pushed Kansas City back atop NWSL standings. KC sits in first place, ahead of the second-place Orlando Pride, on goal differential.

After a wild travel schedule, the Current entered Wednesday’s showdown in Seattle with some rotation for the match-day squad. Regan Steigleder and Michelle Cooper made their first starts of the season and Stine Ballisager filled in for Elizabeth Ball.

“It’s really exciting to be back out there … building off of what we’ve done and making sure that we continue to get points on the road,” Cooper said. “Obviously we aren’t happy with the result tonight. We wanted to walk out with three points.

“But we are glad that we got something on the road and are excited to head back to KC.”

The Current, lineup changes and all, controlled the game, taking nearly 20 shots and holding more possession than the host Reign.

After forcing Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell to make an NWSL-record 12 saves Sunday, the Current made Seattle’s Laurel Ivory come up with five Wednesday night.

The Current went scoreless for the first time but posted its first shutout of the year. After conceding the most goals in the league at one point, the KC defense has become stingy.

Andonovski’s squad has conceded a combined two goals in its last three games.

“We’re a lot more organized,” the coach said. “We don’t give up a lot of opportunities, we don’t give up lots of shots, and that’s a positive step forward.”

And Andonovski didn’t sound too concerned that his team seems to be struggling to score lately.

“It would be frustrating if we’re not creating opportunities,” he said. “As long as we’re creating opportunities, I know that we’re gonna score goals, as well. Games like this are going to happen. It’s just part of it.”

The Current next plays host to the North Carolina Courage on Sunday evening. The Mother’s Day match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. at CPKC Stadium.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.