Chicago Red Stars Stop The Kansas City Current, Breaking Down A Stagnant Performance

A game like this was bound to happen, but you never want it against your “fierce” midwest rival. The Kansas City Current looked like an exhausted team, the back 3 made mistakes that had been nonexistent since May, and chances in the attack floundered out on low xG shots and a general lack of patience.

So much of this performance can be explained by a team on 3 days rest playing a team on 5 days rest, but there are genuine reasons to be concerned about this performance from the, still 1st place, KC Current — let’s dive deeper.

Chicago Red Stars Exploit KC’s Tired Legs

Mal Pugh is a bonafide MVP favorite but the Current didn’t do nearly enough to stop her. Pugh exploited KC’s numbers brilliantly, using her acceleration and raw speed to score goals more akin to a basketball mixtape that your typical golazo. She was incredible all night, but the 2nd goal of the night where Mal Pugh dekes 2 defenders in a marauding run that sees her round Cassie Miller (starting for AD Franch who has had a heavy workload this season) to finish the goal is by far the highlight.