Match Preview: Kansas City Current faces Houston Dash in first match back from international break

The Kansas City Current head on the road for the first time in over a month as the team travels to play the Houston Dash on Friday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast locally on KMCI, 38 the Spot and stream on Paramount+.

The Kansas City Current (2-4-3, 9 points) is on a run of good form entering its first match of July. The Current are on a four-game undefeated streak with a 2-0-2 record since May 30. Most recently, Kansas City played a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Red Stars on June 18. Forward Kristen Hamilton gave Kansas City the lead initially in the eighth minute, her team-leading fourth of the regular season. After falling behind 2-1 in the second half, recently acquired forward CeCe Kizer levelled the match in the second half with a strike from just outside the penalty box. 

The Houston Dash (4-2-3, 15 points) is coming off a high-scoring, end-to-end match against the North Carolina Courage that saw the team hold on for a 4-3 victory on June 19. The Dash have allowed seven goals in its last two matches. Houston added to its roster this week, acquiring forward Ebony Salmon in a trade with Racing Louisville on June 27. 

HAMILTON MAKING HISTORY
Hamilton has been an offensive leader in her first full season with Kansas City after being acquired in a mid-season trade last summer. In the eighth minute of Kansas City’s match against the Red Stars on June 18, Hamilton set a club record for most goals in a regular season with her fourth score this year.

The Littleton, Colorado native has scored nine goals in all competitions in 2022 (also a club record), including crucial goals in Kansas City’s last three matches. Two of those goals came from set pieces, while the third was the winning strike in the Current’s 1-0 win over NJ/NY Gotham FC on June 11. 

OFF-FIELD ACTION
Despite not playing a game in the last two weeks, Kansas City has seen plenty of action. 

On Wednesday, June 22, Kansas City officially unveiled its $18 million training facility in Riverside, Missouri, the first purpose-built facility constructed specifically for a National Women’s Soccer League team. The facility is player-first, and Current players will now have access to elite weight, cardio and recovery assets as well as a high-performance chef and locally sourced menus. The facility was privately financed by club ownership and designed by Generator Studio and Monarch Build, a female-owned construction firm.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City Current midfielder Kate Del Fava —Del Fava has had a breakout season in 2022 as a regular part of Kansas City’s on-field rotation, playing in nine games with six starts and 561 minutes played. She has been dangerous going forward as well, with five key passes and three total shots on target. Del Fava has been utilized both as an outside and central midfielder in Kansas City’s last four matches.

Houston Dash midfielder Elizabeth Eddy — Houston’s roster took a significant hit over the international break, with seven players not expected to return until late July due to international competition. Enter midfielder Elizabeth Eddy. She started and scored two goals against North Carolina before the break. Following her brace, the 30-year-old midfielder could feature in some capacity against the Current.

MATCH INFO  
Houston Dash vs. Kansas City Current 
Friday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. CT 
PNC Stadium – Houston, Texas
Broadcast on KMCI, 38 The Spot 
Radio on Sports Radio 810 WHB
Stream on Paramount+