KC Current blast Chicago behind 6 (yes, 6) goals in final game at Children’s Mercy Park

The Kansas City Current closed out their time at Children’s Mercy Park in entertaining fashion.

The Current scored three stunning goals in the first half on their way to a wild scoreline — a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Red Stars. Incredibly, a different player scored each goal.

A record crowd of 15,671 watched the Current’s victory over Chicago at Children’s Mercy Park. That attendance record may stand for some time, given the Current’s new stadium — where they will begin play next season — will be capped at around 11,500 seats.

After making a tweak to the shape of their formation during Wednesday’s midweek friendly, the Current carried over some of those changes on Saturday.

Namely, Alex Loera played as the lone defensive midfielder in KC’s 4-3-3, which freed up additional space and lanes for Debinha, Lo LaBonta and Kristen Hamilton.

“I don’t think they knew what to do,” LaBonta said. “They would high press, and we’d go over them. And then they’d back up, and then we played through them.”

Now, let’s talk about the goals.

Izzy Rodriguez opened the scoring after a skillful give-and-go between her and Debinha.

Almost immediately after, the Red Stars scored to tie it at 1-1. And then the Current answered right back.

Less than two minutes after Chicago scored, Alexa Spaanstra delivered an expert back-heel pass to LaBonta, who calmly finished past Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for a 2-1 scoreline.

Things were just getting started.

Just before halftime, Spaanstra scored one herself. She dribbled through multiple defenders before ripping a shot past Naeher just inside the far post. It was the first goal of her professional career.

“I think I was just trying to get that next (opportunity),” Spaanstra said of her goal and assist. “I think my teammates put me in a great position tonight, and I was just trying to do the same for them.”

Interim coach Caroline Sjöblom praised Spaanstra by saying she was “no longer a rookie.”

“She has really been knocking on the door to the starting eleven,” Sjöblom said. “Tonight she showed the quality that she has.”

Up 3-1, the Current appeared to have a comfortable lead — until an unexpected gaffe by goalkeeper AD Franch, who misplayed a simple back-pass from Stine Ballisager.

The ball went under her foot and into the net; the score was 3-2.

Debinha scored less than 10 minutes into the second half to make it 4-2. Chicago’s Bianca St. Georges answered to make it 4-3, but the knockout punch was coming.

Cece Kizer and Mimmi Larsson added late goals — in the 92nd and 96th minutes respectively — to make it 6-3 at the final whistle.

Afterward, Current players stayed on the field for some time, greeting fans and thanking them for their support through the 2023 season. LaBonta and Hamilton addressed the crowd via the PA system shared a similar message.

LaBonta told reporters afterward that closing out their time in Children’s Mercy Park was bittersweet.

“This is where my husband plays,” LaBonta said, referring to Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza.

“This is where beautiful soccer is played,” she continued. “The field is immaculate here. We’re setting a standard for our new stadium. It will be absolutely amazing because that is the new standard for women’s professional sports.”

The Current have one more regular-season match in 2023. They’ll travel to New Jersey to face Gotham FC next week.

This story was originally published October 7, 2023 at 9:25 PM.