Kansas City had 60 percent of the ball, 20 shots and nine corners Saturday, and for 95 minutes none of it beat Angelina Anderson. The Angel City goalkeeper made five saves, including one in stoppage time at the end of regulation, before a penalty finally decided the NWSL quarterfinal.
The Kansas City Current beat Angel City FC 1-0 after extra time at CPKC Stadium, according to the ESPN match page. Kansas City, the No. 4 seed at 16-9-5, advances to the semifinals. Angel City, the No. 5 seed, ends a season in which it went 15-8-7 and tied Kansas City for the most goals in the league with 54.
The Penalty in the 93rd Minute
The decisive call came in the 93rd minute, off an Izzy Rodriguez set piece. ESPN's play-by-play credited the foul to Ary Borges on Kayla Sharples. CBS Sports reported the official called a push by Anderson on the delivery and let the call stand after a quick review. Either way, Michelle Cooper stepped up instead of usual taker Lo'eau LaBonta and put it in the bottom left corner in the 96th minute. Cooper missed last year's quarterfinal with a foot injury, per CBS.
Gabrielle Robinson's 29 Defensive Actions
Croix Bethune led everyone with five shots and three on target. Center back Gabrielle Robinson was credited with 29 defensive interventions, the most of anyone on the field, as Kansas City held Angel City to 12 shots and two on target. Lorena needed only two saves. Angel City's 10-game unbeaten run ended, and Kansas City extended a 16-match unbeaten streak at CPKC Stadium, per CBS Sports.
Semifinal Next Weekend
Kansas City plays the winner of Sunday's Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign quarterfinal in the semifinals on Nov. 14 or 15. The final is Nov. 21 at Audi Field in Washington. More women's soccer is on the BallerTube NWSL page.