**Louisville, Kentucky** – The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup is off to a thrilling start with Racing Louisville FC and the Kansas City Current producing an exciting 1-1 draw at Lynn Family Stadium on Friday night.
Out of the gate quickly, both Racing and the Current attempted to test the other within the opening few minutes. After an effort on the other end, Racing thought it had the best look of the early goings after just seven minutes. The forward McDonald was played through on goal, but not only was her early effort saved by Current goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, but a late flag halted the move.
As the pair of clubs found their footing, it was Racing who opened the scoring in the 20 ^th minute. Midfielder Cece Kizer took the ball from just inside her own half and embarked on a mazy run that saw the defense begin to open up. With the ball and in the final third, Kizer picked out her teammate McDonald on the right flank, and McDonald returned the favor by placing an inch-perfect ball into the penalty area that Kizer latched onto to beat Franch and open the scoring.
After conceding, however, Kansas City made a major push to find an equalizer and nearly did so twice in the span of three minutes. Just after the half-hour mark, defender Kristen Edmonds found herself on the edge of the penalty area where she latched onto a bouncing ball that rifled off the crossbar and was eventually cleared. One minute later, forward Lo’eau Labonta took her chances at testing Lund, though her effort from distance was well held. Then, in the 33 ^rd minute, newcomer Sam Mewis received a pass and drove up the left flank before cutting inside, though her curling effort toward goal landed just wide of the post.
The Current’s best opportunity of the first half, however, came just before the midway point. Fellow newcomer Lynn Williams held possession on the left side of the penalty area and played a cross into the box that was deflected, in through that deflection, skipped past both Lund and a Louisville defender where midfielder Victoria Pickett was waiting at the back post. However, the awkward trajectory of the deflection meant Pickett couldn’t make solid contact with the ball and an open goal opportunity went array.
At the break, the hosts entered with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Kizer’s strike, though the Current looked the more likely of the two to score as the half wore on.
The second half opened with a change from the Current that saw Addie McCain take the place of Mewis, and it was a change that would pay off in the long run for the Current. Still seeking an equalizer after the hour mark, defender Hailie Mace played a slip pass through to an onrushing Kristen Hamilton, but a last-ditch tackle from Racing’s Addisyn Merrick prevented a shot on Lund’s goal.
Just over ten minutes later, though, the Current did earn an equalizer through the substitute McCain. Pressure from Williams up top ended up forcing a Louisville turnover in the middle of the park, and driving forward in possession, McCain looked up and placed a well-struck curling effort into the bottom corner past Lund for her side’s first goal of the year.
Four minutes later, it was nearly a second goal for the Current as McCain attempted to double her tally. Receiving the ball near the penalty spot, McCain turned toward goal and began to fire a shot toward Lund, but another last-ditch clearance—this time from captain Gemma Bonner—kept the score level.
Over the course of the final ten minutes, neither side were able to create an opportunity good enough to separate the deadlock, meaning it ended honors even at Lynn Family Stadium in the Challenge Cup opening with Kizer capitalizing for Louisville and McCain’s goal rescuing a late result for the Current. Both sides will return to action next Friday, with Racing hosting the Houston Dash while the Current make a trip to Chicago to meet the Red Stars.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights