Kansas City’s women’s pro soccer team gets another shot at a familiar foe: Houston Dash
It’s been less than two months since Kansas City NWSL played in front of a home crowd for the first time in franchise history. That game was against the Houston Dash at Children’s Mercy Park.
Kansas City started with four in the midfield that day: Maddie Nolf, Lo LaBonta, Desiree Scott and Victoria Pickett.
But when KC plays host to Houston for the second time this season Sunday, again on home turf at Field of Legends in Kansas City, Kan., at least three of those players will be unavailable, and the fourth would be an unlikely inclusion.
Pickett and Scott — as well as defensive midfielder Jordyn Listro — have all been called up to the Canadian national team and will be unavailable for selection. LaBonta is recovering from a right-quad injury and Nolf, who is primarily a defender, hasn’t made an appearance in midfield since.
A lack of midfield consistency has been a thorn in Kansas City’s side. The club has fielded a different midfield in all four of its regular-season games and is on the verge of making that five Sunday.
“It is difficult not being able to have a consistent lineup, but that’s the challenge that many teams have in this league,” KC coach Huw Williams said Friday.
With the National Women’s Soccer League season playing through the Summer Olympics, many teams across the league will be without key players during the season.
But there’s also no denying that KC has been dealt an especially bad hand in the early stages of their inaugural campaign through international call-ups and key injuries.
In comparison to KC, the Houston Dash have fielded the same midfield trio in three of their four games: Kristie Mewis, Liberty High product Shea Groom and Sophie Schmidt. The one exception saw two of the midfield three feature.
“Consistency is something that I think we all know can be an asset to you when you have that luxury,” KC centerback Rachel Corsie said. “But we also know that that’s not realistic in a season this long with these number of games.”
Williams is remaining optimistic about the situation heading into Sunday’s game, sticking by the “next player up” philosophy. And one thing that KC has managed to show through this tough recent stretch is depth in numbers in the midfield.
Creative midfielder Chloe Logarzo is unavailable Sunday because of an injury, but rookie Addie McCain is a viable option at the No. 10 position. McCain made her debut against the Orlando Pride last weekend, and although she was a little isolated at times she put in a solid 90-minute shift.
Winger Michele Vasconcelos has also played in the midfield, earning Williams’ praise for her ability to find dangerous passes and drive the ball forward.
Ashley Nick could make her debut for the club Sunday, while defenders Nolf and Kate Del Fava, who played midfield in college, hold outside chances to start in the midfield, as well.
“Our depth does get challenged, but that’s next player up,” Williams said. “That’s their responsibility to be ready and our responsibility to get them ready.”
One player who is a near-guarantee to start is defensive midfielder Gaby Vincent. She has played in all four of KC’s regular-season games and has started twice. The 23-year-old has been a constant rock in front of the backline, dominating the air and helping dictate play alongside Scott.
“She’s consistently shown that over the last two years that she wants to learn and grow and become the best she can be,” Corsie said. “I think it’s great to see her getting minutes, showing what she can do, and she wants to keep pushing on and start being involved in attacks.”
Vincent has added a vital sense of stability in front of a KC defense that likes to play with the ball at its feet, and with possession. She will be a crucial part of the transition against Houston with her ability to play in quick triangles defensively as well as long transitional switches across the field.
It was Vincent’s long field-switching pass that led to Kansas City’s opening goal against Houston at BBVA Stadium less than two weeks ago.
“She’s been a huge positive for us so far this year,” Corsie said. “We need to keep demanding more from players like her to help us keep moving in the right direction.”
This story was originally published June 4, 2021 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Kansas City’s women’s pro soccer team gets another shot at a familiar foe: Houston Dash."