Debinha stars as KC Current shut out Gotham. Brazilian star scores twice in second half

For the second straight game, the Kansas City Current were buoyed by a second-half master class in soccer from Brazilian star Debinha.

Her two goals, scored six minutes apart after halftime, sunk Gotham FC 2-0 on a sunny afternoon/evening at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

“I always feel good to be out there with my teammates, and of course it was great to win, and I was happy to put the goals in,” Debinha said. “Of course, playing next to amazing players makes it easy.”

Gotham’s trip to Kansas City marked the return of former Current players Lynn Williams and Kristen Edmonds. Williams had scored three times in her first four matches with the New Jersey/New York-based club, but the Current kept her off the scoresheet Sunday.

Goalkeeper Cassie Miller made three saves for the Current, earning her third straight clean sheet across all competitions. She has started the last three games, and while U. S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper AD Franch remains in the mix, interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom said Miller’s being rewarded for her hard work.

Asked whether Miller has unseated Franch as the club’s first-choice keeper, Sjöblom said, “It’s a competition during the practice week.”

The Current came out hot Sunday, creating big chance after big chance. But Gotham goalkeeper Abby Smith was up to the task, making numerous crucial saves. Smith made a total of six saves in the match, but the two that got past her were enough for the Current.

The Current’s halftime sub of Michelle Cooper proved vital. She didn’t score but helped unlock the Gotham defense. Mimmi Larsson (who came off for Cooper) is more of a technical player, and KC seemed to benefit from Cooper’s direct play and speed.

“The whole plan with getting Michelle into the second half with a lot of speed,” Sjöblom said. “She threatened the space behind their defensive line.”

Debinha’s first goal followed a perfectly timed pass from Lo LaBonta, who played Debinha in 1v1 with the Gotham keeper. LaBonta, who tallied her second assist across all competitions on the play, said playing a little bit deeper allows her to create such opportunities.

“It’s really nice because we almost touch the ball more, and we get to create opportunities for these guys going forward,” LaBonta said.

“The thing about our front three, when Mimmi comes in, Cooper comes in, is that they’re fast, and they’re really good on the ball as well. So they’re a threat no matter what.”

On Debinha’s second goal, Smith opted to chase down Cooper outside of her box. Cooper beat Smith to the ball and crossed it to the back post; the ball then ricocheted and fell at Debinha’s feet in front of an empty net.

The goals were huge, but Debinha’s defensive effort also earned Sjöblom’s praise.

“Everyone thinks she’s a smart player in the (offensive) part,” Sjöblom said, “but she’s such a good defender, as well.”

Debinha’s assignment Sunday was to stick with Allie Long, Gotham’s “spider on the pitch,” as Sjöblom described her. And that proved to be a good plan.

“We really slowed her down and she also got frustrated with Debinha being there all the time,” Sjöblom said.

The Current are now 2-3-0 in NWSL games this season. They have six points, ranking them seventh in the league standings. They travel to Los Angeles next Sunday to take on Angel City FC.