KC NWSL blows lead, loses to Washington Spirit. For most of game, 1st win was in sight

For 75 minutes Saturday night, it looked like KC NWSL was going to record its first win of the year.

But the hope of a win on Pride Night was crushed in key moments, and the Washington Spirit (3-1-3) walked away with a 2-1 win at Legends Field to break their streak of two draws in a row.

KC (0-6-2) picked up where it left off on Wednesday, controlling much of the game, especially in the first half. It was a painful way to lose, knowing three points had been in reach.

“It hurts a lot,” KC coach Huw Williams said. “We got a locker room full of players that gave everything they got and played awfully well for the vast majority of this game. It’s a couple of moments. And those moments are key those moments, difference-makers, so we’ll clean that up.”

The moments in question: a misjudged cross and a weak pass through the middle, things KC avoided until the last minutes of the game.

Three minutes into the match, defender Rachel Corsie sent a free kick to forward Jéssica Silva, who took on the Washington defender one on one and found Amy Rodriguez’s feet in the box. Rodriguez sent a one-touch screamer into the back of the net from 8 yards out.

It was the second straight game that Kansas City struck first. KC also scored the first goal on Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the Orlando Pride.

“We’re obviously gutted with the late goal against a hard fought battle and against the very good Washington Spirit side when we had the winning three points in hand. And we slowly let them go,” Rodriguez said. “It’s really hard to sit here right now.”

KC NWSL looked like it had perhaps figured out the secret to holding a lead, controlling much of the game and constantly playing into Washington’s half. But the young talent of Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Rodman exploited small mistakes, picking their moments to capitalize ... and it paid off for Washington in the end.

The equalizer came from a misjudged cross and then a missed tackle, and Sanchez made it look easy to break through the back line and fire a shot from 12 yards out in the 78th minute.

Then 19-year-old Rodman, whom KC was largely successful in neutralizing all game, delivered the win in minute five of nine in stoppage time at the end of the game. It was her second goal of the season, resulting when Tori Huster intercepted a pass to KC’s Victoria Pickett through the midfield.

With Elizabeth Ball out because of a right-thigh injury, Mallory Weber, who is listed as a forward but has previously played on defense, started at the left wing. Williams said she played well, adding that he was “very happy” with the defensive line.

“The speed on that team that we just played against is phenomenal, and we handled it,” he said. “We were tactically sound back there – we dropped off at the right time, we will allowed them to get the ball in front of us, but nothing beat behind… And so overall, I’m very, very happy with the defensive line.”

The KC midfield was without starter Desiree Scott, who is with the Canadian national team, but the trio of Lo’eau LaBonta, Pickett and Gaby Vincent was a strong combination up the middle and led to a lot of quality chances for Kansas City.

Now all that’s left is to finish those chances. KC’s offense appears to be trending in the right direction, at least.

First round draft pick Kiki Pickett made her KC debut Saturday, coming into a tied game at forward, when her usual position is defense. She entered the game in stride, getting involved on offense right away and creating a few chances that brought the 5,157 on hand to a roar near the end of the game.

“I wouldn’t say I’m used to high pressure games but I I’m used to knowing that there’s a lot on the line,” she said. “I was excitedly nervous and I know that I was put in a tough situation, but that didn’t scare me. That more motivated and excited me, to get on the field and try to give 100% with the minutes I had.”

The stands were filled with fans decked out in red and teal, and Rodriguez said the team could feel the love.

“I really felt the crowd out there cheering for us,” Rodriguez said. “When we feel that almost that 12th man out there, that gives us such a lift, it’s such a boost and I’m really grateful for everyone who was out there tonight. Especially on a huge night like tonight, where we’re not only playing for our city, but we’re also playing for pride.”

KC NWSL now has some time off before traveling to face NY/NJ Gotham City FC on July 2.

This story was originally published June 26, 2021 at 9:56 PM with the headline "KC NWSL blows lead, loses to Washington Spirit. For most of game, 1st win was in sight."