Kansas City Current Extends Unbeaten Streak in Thrilling Draw Against Racing Louisville

The Kansas City Current (6-0-4, 22 pts.) continued their unbeaten run in the NWSL with an exciting 3-3 draw against Racing Louisville (1-2-6, 9 pts.) at CPKC Stadium on Saturday night. Defender Gabrielle Robinson's first professional goal in second-half stoppage time marked Kansas City's 14th unique goal scorer of the season, a feat achieved by only three other teams in league history.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski expressed his pride in the team's performance despite the draw. "I thought we deserved to win the game and I thought we were the better team,” Andonovski stated. “This is a good character builder for us and hopefully in the next one we come out on top.”

The match saw Louisville take an early lead in the 19th minute when forward Emma Sears' shot deflected off the post and into the net. This put Kansas City behind at home for the first time this season. Despite this setback, Kansas City midfielder Debinha relentlessly pushed forward, contributing significantly to the team's nine first-half shots.

Kansas City equalized just before halftime when a VAR review awarded a penalty kick after midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo was fouled in the box. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta converted the penalty, bringing the score to 1-1.

The second half saw Kansas City take the lead with a goal from forward Michelle Cooper, who capitalized on a perfect cross from Debinha. However, an own goal by Kansas City defender Stine Ballisager off a corner kick allowed Louisville to level the match at 2-2.

Kansas City regained the lead in stoppage time with Robinson's stunning goal from the far corner, her first professional goal. Despite a valiant effort from goalkeeper AD Franch, who made a crucial save deep into stoppage time, Louisville managed to equalize once more, ending the match at 3-3.

This draw extends Kansas City's unbeaten streak to ten games this season and twelve games dating back to 2023. The Current’s next challenge is an away match against the Utah Royals on May 25 at 9 p.m. CT, which can be watched on KMCI, 38 The Spot, and ION television, or listened to on 90.9 The Bridge and the KC Current App.

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NWSL Match Report

• Match: Kansas City Current vs. Racing Louisville FC
• Date: May 18, 2024
• Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
• Kickoff: 8:35 pm CT
• Weather: 82 degrees
• Attendance: 11,500

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Discipline:

• 12’ Kansas City – Rodriguez (Yellow)
• 23’ Louisville – Fischer (Yellow)
• 33’ Kansas City – Mace (Yellow)
• 72’ Kansas City – Robinson (Yellow)
• 89’ Louisville – Flint (Yellow)

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Scoring Summary:

• 19’ Louisville – Sears (Milliet)
• 45 + 3’ Kansas City – LaBonta
• 56’ Kansas City – Cooper (Debinha)
• 68’ Louisville – Ballisager (Own Goal)
• 90 + 2’ Kansas City – Robinson (Chawinga)
• 90 + 13’ Louisville – DeMelo (Erceg)

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Final Score:

• Kansas City: 0 - 3 - 3
• Louisville: 1 - 2 - 3

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Kansas City Current Lineup:

• Franch, Rodriguez, Robinson, Ballisager, Mace (58’ Wheeler), LaBonta © (94’ Feist), Hutton, DiBernardo (58’ Prince), Chawinga, Cooper (78’ Pfeiffer), Debinha (78’ Lavogez)

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Unused Substitutes:

• Ball, Scott, Silkowitz, Spaanstra

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Racing Louisville Lineup:

• Lund, Milliet, Pickett, Wright, Erceg ©, DiGrande, Flint, Fischer (45’ Turner), DeMelo, Sears, Bahr (80’ Kanu)

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Unused Substitutes:

• Jean, Pokorny, Clegg, Goins, Bloomer, Sekany