Match Preview: Kansas City Current hit the road to face Chicago Red Stars

The Kansas City Current return to action this weekend with a trip to the Windy City to face the Chicago Red Stars Saturday, April 15 at 7 p.m. CT. After a week off, Saturday’s match will be the first of three in eight days for Kansas City. 

Two weeks ago, the Current opened the club’s home schedule in front of a record-breaking 11,301 fans at Children’s Mercy Park. Although the result was not what the club wanted with a 4-1 defeat, there were several positives to take from the match. Midfielder Cece Kizer found the net as she looks to improve on her team-leading seven goals scored in 2022. Midfielder Debinha, who was injured with Brazil during the SheBelieves Cup in February, returned to play and saw 20 effective minutes.  

Chicago took advantage of the off week from the NWSL to play a friendly against the Mexico Women’s National Team April 8. Although they lost 5-2, the team was able to get valuable game minutes for several players who made their Red Stars debut, including Julia Bianchi who scored off a corner kick. The Red Stars’ also fell in their last NWSL action, losing 2-1, with their lone score coming off a Houston own goal.   

Saturday’s match will stream live on Paramount+. In addition, Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll Letrinko will bring fans all the action from KC Current Radio on the Kansas City Current app, available on Apple and Android devices. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH 
Kansas City Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo – DiBernardo is set to possibly make her Kansas City Current debut Saturday against her old club, the Red Stars. Originally selected by Chicago in the 2014 NWSL Draft, DiBernardo will be returning to city where she set club records for Minutes Played (12,465), Games Played (155) and Assists (22).   

Chicago Red Stars forward Yuki Nagasato – With the loss of forward Mallory Swanson to injury, Yuki Nagasoto has the opportunity to lead the Red Stars throughout the rest of the regular season. She ranks second on the club this season in shots and shooting accuracy. In 2022 she was in the top five for goals, assists, shots and shooting accuracy for her team. 

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF INAUGURAL NWSL MATCH 
This week saw the 10th anniversary of the NWSL’s inaugural match. The most successful professional women’s soccer league in the world kicked off from Shawnee Mission District Stadium on April 13, 2013 as FC Kansas City hosted the Portland Thorns. Kansas City forward Renae Cuellar scored the inaugural goal in the third minute, but the Thorns equalized late giving each team a point and a 1-1 draw. Eight players from that inaugural match are still playing in the league, including Kansas City Current midfielder Desiree Scott.  

INJURY BUG  
Both teams have dealt with injury issues early in the season. Chicago has listed four or five players on the team’s availability report each week this season and recently lost forward Mallory Swanson due to an injury she suffered with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) this past week. Kansas City has several players recovering from injuries sustained in 2022 or in the offseason. On top of that, defender Alex Loera injured her right foot this week. Recently though, the team has had many players showing marked improvement. Midfielder Debinha returned to action last week and played 20 minutes against Portland. Her fellow midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo was also available for selection last week and defender Mallory Weber, who tore her ACL in last season’s opening match, is listed as questionable on this week’s availability report. 

INTERNATIONAL BREAK 
The NWSL returns to action this week after taking a break during the recent FIFA International Window. Kansas City goalkeeper AD Franch was a member of the USWNT as they defeated the Republic of Ireland in two friendlies. This was the last chance for each country to get some game action before the World Cup rosters are set later this summer. 

CHALLENGE CUP SCHEDULE  
Saturday’s match is the last one before the 2023 UKG Challenge Cup officially begins. The Challenge Cup was originated in 2020 as a standalone tournament during the height of the pandemic. Since then the tournament has been played prior to the season. This year, the tournament will be played concurrently with the regular season with weekly Wednesday night matches scheduled concurrently with the league’s regular season and airing on Paramount+ and CBS Sports platforms. The tournament concludes with semifinals on Wednesday, September 6, and the final on Saturday, September 9. Tournament sponsor UKG has stepped in to help provide a million-dollar prize pool for the tournament.