KC Current advances to Summer Cup semi-finals with victory over Tigres

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Current advanced to the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Mexican club Tigres UANL.

With this victory, Current won the entire group stage, defeating Houston Dash and Mexican club Pachuca.

Captain Lo LaBonta opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a free kick from Vanessa DiBernardo just outside the penalty area. LaBonta got going before firing a thunderous header into the net and celebrated as USA gymnastics star Simone Biles finished with her hand close to her smiling face.

The second goal came in the 29th minute, aided by both full-backs. Right-back Hailie Mace sent a masterful pass to DiBernardo in the penalty area. DiBernardo sent a cross to onrushing rookie left-back Ellie Wheeler, who headed another shot into the net.

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Current found himself in the Tigres penalty area, taking nine shots to Tigres’ three.

The Mexican club responded in the 56th minute with a goal from South African striker Thembi Kgatlana, who took the ball from Mace and started her move.

Current responded in the next minute when Debinha picked up the ball in the penalty area, let it land in front of her and fired it into the left-hand net with her right foot.

Debutant midfielder Claire Hutton scored her first professional league goal with a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area that deflected off the hand of Tigres goalkeeper Aurora Santiago in the 80th minute.

It was also the last game for French striker Claire Lavogez, who posted a farewell letter to the Kansas City team on social media.

Lavogez came on for Debinha in the 71st minute and raced down the left wing before her pass to Bayley Feist went over the line.

“Thank you Kansas City, it was an honor to play here,” Lavogez said after the match in an interview at the stadium.

Defender Alana Cook also featured at centre-back in her first game for Current since being acquired in a trade nine days ago.

Current are the top seeds in the semi-finals at CPKC Stadium and will play the fourth best group stage winner on Tuesday, August 6 at 8:00 p.m.

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