Alex Morgan scores twice as San Diego Wave pull victory away from Kansas City Current
The Kansas City Current looked like they were on their way to victory against the expansion San Diego Wave Saturday night thanks to goals from Elyse Bennett and Kristen Hamilton.
But San Diego star Alex Morgan popped up at the back post in the dying minutes to tie the match, giving each team a point in the National Women’s Soccer League standings.
Morgan scored both goals for San Diego in front of the largest crowd in KC Current history, with an announced 7,954 in attendance at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
“The atmosphere was fantastic,” Current coach Matt Potter said. “We gave them a reason to stand up and cheer, and a great San Diego team is top of the league for a reason. Ultimately we walk away disappointed, but what an atmosphere.”
The Current (1-4-2) cashed in on set pieces on Saturday night, scoring both their goals off corner kicks. Potter praised assistant coach Lloyd Yaxley, who handles set-pieces for the Current and coached the team during Potter’s recent absence due to COVID.
“I’ll be the first to say Lloyd did an excellent job,” Potter said. “And the players did an incredible job of execution.”
Kristen Hamilton’s first-half headed goal was canceled out by a Morgan penalty kick. Bennett scored her second goal of the season, and that looked like it might’ve been the winner for the Current.
Even with the draw, Bennett said Saturday night’s performance was one of the Current’s best because they got off to a fast start.
“The moment that we can come out on the field in the first minute and start to make an impact, I feel like that is a lasting effect throughout the game,” Bennett said. “So we were able to start the game fast and on the front foot, and then I think that carried us through the game.”
The Current created chances through open play to earn the set pieces that resulted in goals. Hamilton said the Current should’ve put away some of those chances, but she was happy to see them develop.
“I think that just creating like that gives us momentum that gives us the confidence to go forward and continue to push,” she said. “I think you could feel the energy from everybody.”
The Current believe they’re picking up momentum.
“I think tonight everybody’s gonna be a little bit disappointed in the tie,” Hamilton said. “I think that we all feel we could have won, and should have won that one.”
“So that’s a little bit disappointing. But I think that just fuels us and continues to push us forward.”
The Current are back at home next Saturday against Gotham FC at 7:30 pm.
This story was originally published June 4, 2022 at 9:45 PM with the headline "Alex Morgan scores twice as San Diego Wave pull victory away from Kansas City Current."