Red Stars Defense Lacks Overall Interest In Match As World-Class Goaltender Alyssa Naeher At Times Seems To Play Current 11 on 1.
The W/W crew has seen Red Stars take the pitch twice, and both times, we have cheered against them… Is this side quickly becoming our least favorite in the NWSL? It seems to be heading that way, but the Current "Supporters” area is arguably our favorite thus far. They were very passionate, to say the least, and were superbly inclusive. It wasn’t difficult to get sucked into their captivating energy and become a part.
Four Nomadic Hippies' Fútbol Is Life National Tour
Match Four: NWSL Challenge Cup Group Stage (6/14/23)
Location: Kansas City (Children's Mercy Park)
Score: Kansas City Current (4) Chicago Red Stars (0)
4NH Team: Kansas City Current
4NH Fan Record: 3-1-0
W/W Human Of The Match: Debinha
Debinha is consistently ranked as one of the best female soccer players in the world. She is a complete offensive package… great footwork and dribbling… knack for scoring… She is well-established for the Brazilian National Futbol Team and has been a fixture for them in international competition since her call-up in 2011. Her time in the NWSL has been filled with success, too… two championships… one Challenge Cup… title game and Challenge Cup MVP awards… Debinha is one of the best.
So it was little surprise she put two in the net during the Current’s match against the Red Stars. After Alyssa Naeher (Red Stars Goaltender) turned back all of the Current opportunities in the first half, Debinha finally broke through in the 54’, and the floodgates were opened. After two more Current goals, Debinha struck again in the 70’ to make it 4-0, the final tally for the night.
Very few players we have seen seem to enjoy the game as much as Debinha does, and it is evident that it is infectious to those on her side. She appears to be a crowd favorite in KC, and the Four Nomadic Hippies feel fortunate to have watched this legend in action.
W/W Fav Of The Match: Michelle Cooper
When the Kansas City Current drafted Michelle Cooper second overall in the 2023 draft, she became the highest pick out of the women’s soccer program at Duke University. In her two years as a Blue Devil, Michelle was twice selected as a First Team All-American, named ACC Freshman of the Year, tabbed as ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and ultimately chosen as the recipient of the Hermann Trophy (top collegiate women’s soccer player). She scored 31 goals in 40 career games at Duke.
Deciding to leave school two years early, Cooper’s name rocketed up the draft boards and was considered a lock to be drafted within the first two picks of the 2023 NWSL Draft. Cooper has quickly become a mainstay in the lineup in her first season with the Current and looks to be a star at both the domestic and international levels in the coming years.
There is some pressure on Cooper to perform. Kansas City traded Lynn Williams, the 2016 NWSL Most Valuable Player and USWNT linchpin, for the second draft pick (used to draft Michelle). Despite Williams' lofty standing as a player, many felt Cooper had a higher upside, and the Current believes they have a player for the future.
Dickhead Move Of The Night: Naeher’s Defense Takes Night Off
I have to hand it to her… despite the atrocious game by the Red Star’s defenders in front of her, Alyssa Naeher didn’t snap and beat the ever-loving crap out of any of them. In fact, she made some sensational saves to drag her comatose team to half, tied 0-0.
Despite Naeher’s effort, the myriad of blunders by the Red Stars eventually caught up with her, causing her to surrender four goals in the second half. But we need to keep in mind the goal is really big, and it is hard for one human to cover all of it. If it weren’t for the brilliant Naeher, this match would have been even uglier for the Red Stars… like 8 or 9 to 0 ugly. I don’t want to minimize the efforts of the Current… they looked ready to play and put together a complete match and were far the superior side that night.
Red Stars… Please don’t be demeaning to Naeher like this again… We have a World Cup coming up, and the last thing we need is for her to reel from an outing like this. And you wonder why the Four Nomadic Hippies don’t like you!
W/W Best Logo/Kit: Kansas City Current
There is nothing particularly bold about the kits worn by the Kansas City Current. They are solid, but when they are paired with the wicked awesome teal socks… well, that makes the combo pretty freakin’ cool and has led to the use of the phrase "Teal Rising” by the organization.
And if that isn’t badass enough, local brewery Boulevard Brewing Co. has created a pilsner in support of the Kansas City Current called "Teal Rising.” If you haven’t tried the brewery's products, you are missing out… Just take their flagship beer, Unfiltered Wheat, and pop a slice of orange in it. You’ll get it.
Boulevard beer aside... It looks like the Current pair up a white top with teal shorts and socks on the road… so that sounds pretty cool. Also, the most extensive hospital system in the Kansas City Metro, St. Luke’s, sponsors the team and has their name on the front of the jersey. I do not believe Current fans get any discounted rates at St. Luke’s… even if it is because they drank too much Boulevard and fell down the stairs at the match.
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