Debinha scores again as Kansas City Current nab 2-1 road victory against San Diego Wave

The Kansas City Current got off to a quick start on Saturday night and hung on for a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Wave.

The win keeps their postseason hopes alive for at least the next couple weeks. While their odds of securing a playoff spot aren’t great, the Current are playing like a team with, as interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom put it, “nothing to lose.”

“We are fearless right now,” Sjöblom said.

Debinha opened the match with a highlight just three minutes in. She picked up the ball with plenty of space outside the box and rifled a shot past Kailen Sheridan into the top corner for the lead.

“When I got the ball, I saw that I had a lot of space,” Debinha said. “I also know that Sheridan likes to get a little bit out of the box, so I just said, ‘I’m just gonna hit this ball.’”

Kristen Hamilton added a second goal in the 22nd minute, as her shot sneaked into the net off the post. The Current showed some patience in the build-up to that shot.

“I think that’s something we’ve been harping on,” Hamilton said. “We don’t have to rush it.”

The Wave responded with plenty of pressure to begin the second half and scored to cut the Current’s lead to 2-1. San Diego’s Sierra Enge redirected a loose ball into the goal following a corner kick.

The Current regained composure after and were able to see out the result for a massive road victory.

“Our defense was holding it down,” Hamilton said. “It might’ve looked hectic and crazy, but it was exactly what we knew that (the Wave) were gonna do.”

The win brings the Current to 22 points on the season with a record of 7-11-1. While still in 11th place, The Current are just four points behind the playoff line with three games to go.

While it may be improbable for the Current to sneak into the playoffs, it’s not yet impossible. And the hope that something may break their way is motivating them to make sure they take care of what’s in front of them.

“I think that’s all we kind of have to play for right now,” Hamilton said. “Crazier things have happened in this league. It’s the hope that we are gonna sneak into the playoffs somehow. And you gotta have that if you want to go out and win games.”

The Current will take the next week off for the international break before returning to action on September 30 against the Washington Spirit.

This story was originally published September 16, 2023 at 11:12 PM.