Kansas City Aims for Third Straight Home Win

KANSAS CITY (Sept. 4, 2021) - Kansas City NWSL returns home to Legends Field for a Sunday night matchup against the North Carolina Courage. This is the third time the two teams face each other and the second time at home for Kansas City. North Carolina holds the overall advantage with a 1-0-1 record, including a 4-0 win in Cary, North Carolina on August 21. 

Kansas City enters the match following a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars on August 28. Although Kansas City competed the first 30 minutes of the match, the fatigue of playing three games in three cities over eight days appeared to catch up to the team. Chicago found the back of the net three times from a corner, free-kick, and then a cross from the outside wing into the box.  

Coming off a 0-0 draw on August 29 against the Washington Spirit, the Courage rank second in the NWSL with an overall record of 8-8-4 and 28 points. Lynn Williams currently leads the Courage with 6 goals, tying her for fourth among NWSL goal leaders.

ADRIANNA FRANCH MAKES HER 300TH CAREER SAVE
Despite the hard loss in Chicago, Adrianna Franch recorded four saves on the night, becoming only the fifth goalkeeper in NWSL history to reach the 300 save mark. The milestone save came in the 58th minute when she blocked an attempt by Chicago’s Mallory Pugh.

Coach Huw Williams had high praise for Franch after the game and is confident that she will help the team continue to improve.

“AD is clearly a leader and a player that's going to help us move on and get closer to our final destination. The picture that we have for this team needs people like AD to get there.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City: Forward Hailie Mace - Acquired from North Carolina on June 26, Mace is a key member of the attack for Kansas City. She played in seven games this season, starting five, and logging a total of 383 minutes. 

Mace currently has 16 total shots with eight on goal, and most recently tallied her first assist for Kansas City to Kristen Hamilton in the August 25 win over Racing Louisville.

North Carolina Courage: Forward Lynn Williams - Williams recently returned to North Carolina after helping the United States win a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She continues to be successful, finding the goal in the 12^th minute of the match against Kansas City on August 21.  

Williams has six goals and two assists this season, with 33 shots and 16 on goal, Williams continues to have success in the final third of the season, and the combination of her and Jessica McDonald as the key points of attack make the Courage a challenging opponent for Kansas City.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt will bring fans all the action on Sports Radio 810 WHB.  The game will also broadcast live on Paramount+.