Previewing Houston Dash vs Kansas City Current with KC Soccer Journal
(image via Kansas City Current)
The Houston Dash will look to bounce back from last week’s home loss at they head out on the road this weekend. We talked to our friend Cindy Lara from KC Soccer Journal to get some insight on the Kansas City Current ahead of Saturday’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): The Current are once again firing on all cylinders. How has the team rebounded with the disappointment of not winning a trophy last season?
KC Soccer Journal (KCSJ): They are more determined this year. Last year, it was seen as a rebuild season, but they exceeded every expectation and went beyond. During preseason, Lo’eau LaBonta talked on how they are more fired up to win this year. The Current are already duplicating how they started last season, but they appear to be more in control of games - knowing when to score, when to slow down, and how to press and counter.
BCS: Temwa Chawinga seems inevitable at this point. What makes her so good in this Current team and does she have any weaknesses that can be taken advantage of?
KCSJ: Chawinga finds ways to score. Whether it’s powering through a defense or using her speed, if Chawinga has the ball, she will score a goal. Her field of vision is also quite good. This year, she has been more involved in creating chances and passing to her teammates so they can score. Teams have basically had defenders double team her to stop her, so that’s one “weakness.” If she’s well-defended, then I think she just takes shots off target.
BCS: Kansas City looks to have found their goalkeeper in the Brazilian Lorena. How has she been able to come into the team and take over the starting job, performing at a high level?
KCSJ: When the Current signed Lorena, it was with the hope she would be the starting goalkeeper. It was expected for her to be a starter because of her international experience with Brazil and at the club level.
BCS: As good as the Kansas City offense is, their defense probably doesn't get enough credit. They have allowed just one goal in four matches this season, what makes them such a strong defensive unit?
KCSJ: Continuity and organization has been key to how well the KC defense has been strong this season so far. Alana Cook and Kayla Sharples, who came to the Current via trade last summer, have built a solid partnership as center backs and can hold that middle, even if one of them goes up the field. The outside backs, which are usually Ellie Wheeler and Izzy Rodriguez, do so well at covering and marking the wings.
BCS: We mentioned it earlier but with such a strong start to last season and no trophies to show for it, is it silverware or bust for the Current in 2025?
KCSJ: There’s high expectations for this team. Last year was exciting and full of hope, but this year, with so much of last year’s roster returning and adding players to strengthen the team (like Lorena, Rocky Rodriguez), silverware is expected. It’s obvious that they are going for it, too.
BCS: Are there any notable injuries for Kansas City and what do you expect the Current lineup to be?
KCSJ: Michelle Cooper left at the end of the first half last week with an ankle injury. She was day-to-day this week, so her status for Saturday is not known yet.
Lineup: Lorena, Ellie Wheeler, Alana Cook, Kayla Sharples, Izzy Rodriguez, Lo’eau LaBonta, Claire Hutton, Vanessa DiBenardo, Temwa Chawinga, Nichelle Prince (if Cooper is not ready to go), Debinha
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We want to thank Cindy for her time and wish our friends in Kansas City the best of luck Saturday.
