Vanessa DiBernardo struck the decisive blow in a chaotic opening sequence, scoring the winning goal in the 17th minute to lead the Kansas City Current past the Washington Spirit 2-1 on Sunday. The Current erased an early deficit with two goals separated by just three minutes, showcasing resilience despite finishing the match with less than 40% possession. This victory improves Kansas City’s record to 15-9-5, while the visiting Spirit, now 16-9-4, fell short in a high-intensity National Women’s Soccer League clash.
Kansas City rallies from behind in frantic NWSL thriller
The match began with a defensive lapse for Kansas City, as Clara Luvunga pounced on a heavy touch by goalkeeper Lorena to give Washington the lead in the 12th minute. However, the Current responded swiftly when Lo’eau LaBonta collected a rebound in the penalty area and fired a shot that deflected off defender Esme Morgan’s leg, bouncing past Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver to equalize. The momentum shifted decisively in the 17th minute when Haley Hopkins stripped the ball from MacIver, reached the end line, and assisted Croix Bethune, who laid it off for DiBernardo to finish first-time.
DiBernardo’s strike marked her first goal of the season and capped a frantic five-minute stretch that defined the game’s outcome. While the Spirit controlled the majority of the ball, they could not convert possession into a lead against a disciplined Kansas City defense. In other NWSL action on Sunday, Gotham FC edged the Orlando Pride 2-1, and the Boston Legacy drew 2-2 with the San Diego Wave.
Source: Yahoo Sports
