Despite highlight goal — ‘an absolute rocket’ — KC Current settle for draw in Houston

The Kansas City Current earned their first regular-season draw — in their 17th match of this NWSL season — on Saturday night, earning one point when getting the full three is especially important for a late playoff push.

It was a match in which both the Houston Dash and Current could’ve greatly benefited from a win, with both sitting outside of the current playoff picture. Each side scored once in the second half, leading to the 1-1 result.

“There is frustration given the potential to have walked away with three points,” said interim coach Caroline Sjöblom. “We’re still in the hunt for the playoffs, and three points would have been (better) in the league table.”

The Current put on an impressive first-half display, creating numerous opportunities but failing to put a shot past Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell.

Campbell made an excellent save on a Cece Kizer header that seemed destined for the corner of the net. Campbell later turned Kristen Hamilton away in a one-on-one opportunity from the top of the box.

“We should have scored,” Sjöblom said. “Especially with the opportunities in the first half, maybe four of them (were) really high quality.”

Sjöblom credited Campbell for the saves she made on the night, with four of her seven coming in the first half.

In the second half, the Current finally found their breakthrough. Lo LaBonta unleashed a fantastic volley that curled just inside the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

“An absolute rocket,” read the KC Current’s description of the shot on social media.

LaBonta credited the cross from Hailie Mace as being difficult for Houston to defend. That led to the ball bouncing her way, and LaBonta did the rest.

“I was just on my toes and concentrating really hard,” LaBonta said. “And keeping my head down and was just fortunate enough that it went in the back of the net when I hit it so cleanly.”

Michelle Alozie equalized for Houston. It was Houston’s only shot on target on Saturday.

Like her coach, LaBonta felt the Current “should have been able to finish those” chances that came throughout the game.

“We’re definitely going to work on that going forward,” she added.

The result? In the immediate aftermath of their match, the Current sat five points away from a playoff spot, in 10th in the standings.

The Current will return home next week with a Friday night match at Children’s Mercy Park against Angel City FC.

This story was originally published August 26, 2023 at 10:24 PM.