**Harrison, New Jersey** – The Kansas City Current defeated Gotham FC, 1-0, on the road on Sunday in the first of two evening games that helped close the weekend’s action. An otherwise fairly even encounter was separated by Current midfielder’s Hailie Mace in the 78 ^th minute.
The visiting Current were off to a fast start at Red Bull Arena, testing Gotham goalkeeper Michelle Betos within the first 30 seconds of the match. A ball across the field toward playmaker CeCe Kizer ended up loose near the right edge of the six-yard box where Betos attempted to punch it clear. Only reaching Current forward Claire Lavogez with the clearance though, Lavogez’s subsequent effort was deflected wide and out for a corner that Kansas City would not capitalize on.
Then, in the 25 ^th minute, the Current came close again when another switch of play saw the ball curled deep into the box on the left side. Played back across goal toward the forward Lavogez, Betos made enough contact with the ball to keep it from crossing the line and the Gotham defense got it clear. Two minutes later, midfielder Hailie Mace tested Betos at the near post from a corner kick delivery, but Betos was again equal to the effort as she pushed it away for a corner.
At the break, the pair remained level despite Kansas City creating the better of the sides’ chances at different points throughout the first half.
The second half was marked by much of the same in terms of chance creation, with the visitors having one of their best looks right on the hour mark thanks in part to Betos’s goalkeeper error. A cross came in from the left side that looped of Betos’s head and the shotstopper responded well in trying to punch it clear. However, she made little contact with the ball and instead sent it spinning toward her own net. In the right place at the right time, the Gotham defense was able to see it clear though and kept the Current attack at bay.
However, in the 76 ^th minute, Kansas City would be awarded a penalty kick that would finally break the deadlock, with midfielder Hailie Mace converting from 12 yards out. Lavogez was in possession of the ball and squirming down the left side of the penalty box where she was judged to have been fouled by Gotham defender Ellie Jean resulting in a penalty. Up to take, Mace roofed her effort despite Betos diving the right way and Kansas City took a late lead.
Two minutes later, though, the hosts were back on the attack with midfielder Kristie Mewis having a phenomenal effort denied by a diving Adrianna Franch in goal for Kansas City. Mewis was dribbling just outside the penalty area when she eyed the far post from the left side of midfield with a powerful looping effort. Spotting the shot, Franch was able to get up enough in just the right time to tip the ball onto the crossbar, which then saw the ball fall back into play. The Current defense was able to chase it down though and the pressure was relieved on Franch’s goal.
The result was good enough to push Kansas City’s unbeaten run to a whopping 13 games running, with the club winning four out of its last five as the Road to the Shield continues. For Gotham, though, the loss marked their ninth straight with just four games remaining in the regular season.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights