Kansas City Current Win 1-0 in First Club International Friendly over CF Monterrey, presented by Bud Light

The Kansas City Current notched a victory at home in the club’s first international friendly for Hispanic Heritage Month, hosting Liga MX Femenil powerhouse CF Monterrey, presented by Bud Light. A dominant performance from the Current resulted in midfielder Chardonnay Curran’s first career goal. 

“I’m very satisfied with the win today,” said interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “We had a lot of players who showed their skills against Monterrey. We also saw a different style of play that Monterrey came with. It was useful for us to try to play against a team that wants to have a lot of possession and handle that. Also, the subs we made in the second half were really fun to see on the pitch.” 

The action started early for Kansas City. In the sixth minute, a perfectly placed pass from Claire Lavogez found Debinha charging past the Rayadas defense. The midfielder peeled out right and cut around the goalkeeper but found herself at too tight an angle to shoot. Her pass toward the middle was cut out by Monterrey defender Mariana Cadena. 

In the 21st minute, rookie Michelle Cooper had a great opportunity with a speedy run up the right-hand side of the pitch to chase down a pass from Lo LaBonta. Cooper laid off a shot toward the far post, but it trickled just wide. 

Seven minutes later, Debinha had another golden opportunity for the Current. LaBonta poked a ball through to her in the box, where the Brazilian found herself surrounded by four defenders. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the midfielder hung onto the ball and eventually laid it off for a shot from midfielder Rylan Childers, whose shot was deflected wide. 

The Current found themselves inches away from a goal just seconds before the end of the first half. Lavogez charged through the center of the pitch to find defender Kate Del Fava on an overlapping run up the right side. Del Fava centered the ball perfectly for forward Mimmi Larsson, who banged her shot off the near post. 

Monterrey came out on the front foot to start the second half. In the 47^th minute, a throw in for the visitors led to a scramble in the box, with several players getting a touch. In the end, goalkeeper Cassie Miller’s timing was perfect, as she charged off her line and scooped up the ball to safety. 

The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute. A pass from Larsson found forward Kristen Hamilton on the right side. Hamilton drew the goalkeeper to the right and smoothly slid a pass across goal to find Chardonnay Curran in front of an empty net. The midfielder calmly tapped it in for her first career professional goal. 

In the 82nd minute, the Current had an opportunity to make it two when the home team won a free kick just outside of the penalty area. Rookie Alexa Spaanstra stepped up and hit a shot hard and low toward the bottom left corner, where it trickled just wide.

The Kansas City Current return to Children’s Mercy Park for the final home match of the season on Saturday, October 7 against the Chicago Red Stars. The Current is expected to break the club’s attendance record for the fourth time this season for the team’s annual Fan Appreciation Night. Tickets are available at kansascitycurrent.com/tickets.

International Friendly Match Report
Match: Kansas City Current vs. CF Monterrey
Date: October. 4, 2023
Venue: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City   
Kickoff: 7:09 p.m.
Weather: 76 degrees, partly cloudy 

Discipline 
12’ Kansas City – Del Fava (Yellow) 
43’ Monterrey – L. Rodriguez (Yellow) 
73’ Monterrey – Cadena (Yellow)

Scoring
57’ Kansas City – Curran (Hamilton) 

Scoring Summary

Kansas City Current Lineup: Miller, Del Fava (46’ Merrick), I. Rodriguez (46’ Soto), Ballisager (46’ Robinson), Lauren (77’ Ball), Childers, LaBonta © (33’ Winebrenner), Loera (33’ Curran), Lavogez (46’ Hamilton), Cooper (33’ Spaanstra), Debinha (33’ Larsson)
Unused Substitutes: Franch, Kizer  

CF Monterrey Lineup: Tajonar (46’ Godinez), Cadena, R. Bernal ©, Calderon (77’ Macias), L. Rodriguez (46’ Simental), Valdez (46’ Delgadillo), Perez, Giammona, Garcia, Inez, Seoposenwe (89’ Servin)
Unused Substitutes: K. Bernal, Del Campo, Pena