KANSAS CITY (Interstat) — Kansas City Current used goals from Lo Eau LaBonta and Vanessa Di Bernardo to beat Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium, turning a brief deficit into a lead before holding on for a 2-1 victory. LaBonta played 90 minutes and scored once, Di Bernardo played 75 minutes and scored once, and the Current remained unbeaten in the competition and across all competitions. Washington scored first but could not answer after Kansas City’s two-goal burst in the first half. The Current pressed for the equalizer and found it quickly, then added another goal three minutes later.

LaBonta’s equalizer came in the 14th minute, two minutes after Washington had taken the lead. She finished with one goal while playing the full match, and Kansas City quickly settled after conceding early. Di Bernardo then scored in the 17th minute, giving the Current a lead they protected through the second half. Di Bernardo was substituted in the 75th minute after her goal. Washington tried to respond before halftime, but Kansas City’s back line limited clear chances and carried the lead into the break.

Clara Luvanga had given Washington the early advantage with a goal in the 12th minute. Luvanga played 63 minutes and scored once before she was replaced. Washington made its first substitution in the 20th minute with Hershfelt, and Cantore followed in the 46th. Santos and Luvanga were both substituted in the 63rd minute, and Di Guglielmo entered in the 78th minute. The Spirit’s changes began early and continued after halftime as Washington sought another goal.

Croix Bethune recorded an assist and a yellow card for Kansas City while playing 60 minutes. Bethune was booked in the 48th minute and was substituted in the 60th. Ball received a yellow card for Kansas City in the 88th minute. Kansas City also substituted Cooper in the 84th minute. The Current’s changes came after Bethune’s exit and Di Bernardo’s replacement, with Cooper entering late as Kansas City closed out the match. Kansas City’s late changes helped it manage the closing minutes.

Washington’s season record in this competition is now 1 win and 1 loss, and its record across all competitions is also 1 win and 1 loss. Kansas City’s season record in this competition is now 2 wins and 0 losses, and its record across all competitions is also 2 wins and 0 losses. Kansas City entered after a road win at Utah Royals, while Washington entered after a home win against Gotham. Both teams had won their previous match before this meeting.

The game was played at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. Washington’s goal came in the 12th minute, Kansas City answered in the 14th and went ahead in the 17th, and the Current’s defense made the lead stand. The Spirit made five substitutions across the match, while Kansas City made three. Yellow cards went to Bethune in the 48th minute and Ball in the 88th minute. Kansas City held Washington without a second goal over the final stretch, protecting the one-goal margin after the early exchange. The match produced three goals in the first 17 minutes before both sides settled into a tighter contest. Washington finished with one goal and Kansas City with two, leaving the Spirit short after their early breakthrough and Kansas City’s quick response.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Kansas City Current 1, Washington Spirit 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Kansas City Current with an 88.5 percent probability to win. Kansas City Current had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.