NWSL Results: San Diego roll past Angel City

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Saturday saw four total NWSL matches across the Central and West Divisions.




Kansas City Current 0, Racing Louisville 3



The Skinny: Racing Louisville earn just their second ever road win in Kansas City’s first home match of the year. Despite the Current’s shot production, Racing were efficient with their chances to score three.




One Key Moment: Racing’s second goal – the one to really put them in control of this game after the early opener – was the key moment of the match. The goal was emblematic of Louisville’s strong build up, and the mistakes made by KC’s defense.

Racing double their lead on the road as Lauren Milliet slots it home off the misclearance!#KCvLOU | 0 – 2 pic.twitter.com/1f85Dc5yha
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) April 2, 2022

Inside the Game: Kansas City started off this home match the stronger side, putting the visitors under early pressure, forcing turnovers, and holding possession. The Current outside backs, in particular Hailie Mace and Kristen Edmonds, had a strong game, getting high up the field to put crosses in and cutting inside to play make. But ten minutes in, Louisville got the opener, against the run of play. It came from Racing’s build up play down the right side between Lauren Milliet and Emily Fox. The two took advantage of Mace’s advanced positioning, and found space in behind for Jess McDonald. This is something Racing tried to take advantage of throughout the match. In this instance, McDonald was able to drive to the endline and send in an incredibly dangerous cross that was so difficult to defend it forced an own goal off the retreating Mace.

GOAL RACING LOUISVILLE!!

It was an own goal off Hailie Mace in the end, but it was all created by Jess McDonald!#KCvLOU | 0 – 1 pic.twitter.com/KVIz2ZQWhS
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) April 2, 2022

The home team continued to create good chances before and after the halftime break, but the end product was lacking, evidenced by the 17 shots taken with only two on target, rarely testing Katie Lund in net. And an hour in, Racing once again stole the Current’s momentum, scoring against the run of play to double their advantage. The goal exemplified some of the defensive struggles KC had in this game. With two rookies at center back, the communication and organization was lacking. Cece Kizer created space by driving into the penalty box, drawing defenders, sending in another dangerous cross that wasn’t properly cleared, allowing Milliet to pounce. Co-captain Gemma Bonner would add the third from a set piece just five minutes later.

Gemma Bonner makes it THREE!!#KCvLOU | 0 – 3 pic.twitter.com/TZSTopbcKN
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) April 2, 2022

Racing Louisville did well to pick and choose their moments in this match, deciding when to push in transition and when to hold possession. They held just about as much possession as their opponents but in front of goal they were lethal, with four of their nine shots on target.




It wasn’t just the loss that will worry Current fans. At the end of regulation, Mace went down for an extended period of time and had to be helped off the field. Having already lost Lynn Williams to a season ending injury, the Current can’t afford to lose such a crucial part of their offensive production in Mace.




The Goals:

1. Racing Louisville – Hailie Mace (Own Goal), 9’
2. Racing Louisville – Lauren Milliet, 60’
3. Racing Louisville – Gemma Bonner (Emina Ekic), 65’

— Bella Munson



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