The Latest | Aug 20, 2021
Kansas City NWSL Travels to NC Courage for First Time this Season
KANSAS CITY (August 20, 2021) — Kansas City NWSL will travel to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday, Aug. 21. at 6 p.m. CT to face the North Carolina Courage. This will be the second meeting in less than a month for these two teams, having last played on July 23 with both teams earning a point in a 0-0 draw.
Kansas City enters the match following the club’s first win of the season last Saturday, defeating OL Reign 1-0. Rookie midfielder Victoria Pickett scored the game-winning goal off a deflected free kick from teammate Hailie Mace. The deflection landed right on Pickett’s foot, giving her the chance to slot her shot to the near the post. This was Pickett’s first career NWSL goal.
North Carolina currently sits second in the NWSL standings with 24 points. The Courage are unbeaten in their last four matches, with two ties and two wins. Kansas City will look to snap this streak as both teams are coming off wins in their previous matches.
ADRIANNA FRANCH RETURNS TO HER HOME STATE
Kansas City announced on Wednesday the acquisition of United States Women’s National Team goalkeeper Adrianna Franch in exchange for Abby Smith and $150,000 in allocation money. Originally from Salina, Kansas, the move is a homecoming for the decorated goalkeeper.
“This move is even more special to me as my life and career have come full-circle and I’m proud to represent the greater Kansas City area and play in front of the community,” said Franch. “I know what Angie and Chris Long are capable of and what their commitment is to the club and our sport. I am very excited to see what the future holds for my new club.”
Franch has eight appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team, and most recently played in two matches as the U.S. took home the bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Franch is an accomplished keeper in the NWSL, ranking first all-time with a 0.95 Goals Against Average (Kansas City’s Katelyn Rowland is second with a 1.00 Goals Against Average). She is tied with Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher for second in clean sheets (33) and her 296 saves are fourth best in league history.
MATCH OF FAMILIAR FACES
Kansas City and North Carolina faced off on July 23rd, two days after a monumental trade for both clubs. Kansas City NWSL traded forward Amy Rodriguez and $60,000 in allocation money to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for forward Kristen Hamilton, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and midfielder Hailie Mace.
Hamilton and Mace have been a vital threat for Kansas City on the attacking end with their speed of play and pressure on the opposing backline. The pair have played in all four matches since arriving in Kansas City and have combined for a total of 22 shots. Hamilton has started in all four matches while Mace has started in the past 3. Before arriving in Kansas City, Hamilton scored a goal while Mace scored two for the Courage. Rowland has also made an immediate impact for Kansas City, playing in two matches while making a total of 6 saves. Rowland kept the team in both games with the huge saves she made but did not end up with the result.
Rodriguez jumped right into the Courage starting lineup since the trade and has played and started in all four matches. She recently scored the game winning goal with a penalty kick against the Chicago Red Stars last Sunday to give her team a 1-0 win. Look for Rodriguez to be bothersome for Kansas City’s backline with her versatile play and ability to find the back of the net.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday’s game will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+.
KANSAS CITY (August 20, 2021) — Kansas City NWSL will travel to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday, Aug. 21. at 6 p.m. CT to face the North Carolina Courage. This will be the second meeting in less than a month for these two teams, having last played on July 23 with both teams earning a point in a 0-0 draw.
Kansas City enters the match following the club’s first win of the season last Saturday, defeating OL Reign 1-0. Rookie midfielder Victoria Pickett scored the game-winning goal off a deflected free kick from teammate Hailie Mace. The deflection landed right on Pickett’s foot, giving her the chance to slot her shot to the near the post. This was Pickett’s first career NWSL goal.
North Carolina currently sits second in the NWSL standings with 24 points. The Courage are unbeaten in their last four matches, with two ties and two wins. Kansas City will look to snap this streak as both teams are coming off wins in their previous matches.
ADRIANNA FRANCH RETURNS TO HER HOME STATE
Kansas City announced on Wednesday the acquisition of United States Women’s National Team goalkeeper Adrianna Franch in exchange for Abby Smith and $150,000 in allocation money. Originally from Salina, Kansas, the move is a homecoming for the decorated goalkeeper.
“This move is even more special to me as my life and career have come full-circle and I’m proud to represent the greater Kansas City area and play in front of the community,” said Franch. “I know what Angie and Chris Long are capable of and what their commitment is to the club and our sport. I am very excited to see what the future holds for my new club.”
Franch has eight appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team, and most recently played in two matches as the U.S. took home the bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Franch is an accomplished keeper in the NWSL, ranking first all-time with a 0.95 Goals Against Average (Kansas City’s Katelyn Rowland is second with a 1.00 Goals Against Average). She is tied with Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher for second in clean sheets (33) and her 296 saves are fourth best in league history.
MATCH OF FAMILIAR FACES
Kansas City and North Carolina faced off on July 23rd, two days after a monumental trade for both clubs. Kansas City NWSL traded forward Amy Rodriguez and $60,000 in allocation money to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for forward Kristen Hamilton, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and midfielder Hailie Mace.
Hamilton and Mace have been a vital threat for Kansas City on the attacking end with their speed of play and pressure on the opposing backline. The pair have played in all four matches since arriving in Kansas City and have combined for a total of 22 shots. Hamilton has started in all four matches while Mace has started in the past 3. Before arriving in Kansas City, Hamilton scored a goal while Mace scored two for the Courage. Rowland has also made an immediate impact for Kansas City, playing in two matches while making a total of 6 saves. Rowland kept the team in both games with the huge saves she made but did not end up with the result.
Rodriguez jumped right into the Courage starting lineup since the trade and has played and started in all four matches. She recently scored the game winning goal with a penalty kick against the Chicago Red Stars last Sunday to give her team a 1-0 win. Look for Rodriguez to be bothersome for Kansas City’s backline with her versatile play and ability to find the back of the net.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Saturday’s game will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+.
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