The first round of the 2022 NWSL playoffs came to a close Sunday night after Kansas City Current upset Houston Dash earlier in the day before San Diego Wave held off Chicago Red Stars in the late match to advance to the semifinals.
At PNC Stadium in Houston, TX, Lo'eau LaBonta gave Kansas City the lead from the spot in the fifth-minute before another trademark Current celebration.
It's celly time! An icy PK finish from @L0momma gives KC an early lead!#TealRising | @thekccurrent pic.twitter.com/rNTRos9AU9
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 16, 2022
However, in the 21st, Sophie Schmidt brought the home side level with a left-footed finish to the delight of 21,284 in attendance.
What a hit from @sophieschmidt13 to tie it up!!! @HoustonDash | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/LQ5Vb157TE
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 16, 2022
The match looked destined for extra time, but in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time, Kate Del Fava broke Houston hearts.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! Kansas City wins it in stoppage time!!!#TealRising | @thekccurrent pic.twitter.com/LzzpTKeKRI
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 16, 2022
Over in San Diego, the visitors looked to be springing another surprise when Yūki Nagasato gave Chicago a 10th-minute lead over the Wave in front of an NWSL playoff record crowd of 26,215 at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Red Stars capitalize on a mistake to take an early lead!!@chicagoredstars | #MKOT pic.twitter.com/BiyjU2Lihg
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2022
But San Diego got level in the 67th thanks to Emily Van Egmond.
Annnnnnnd they're back in the game! @Em_surf gets her first NWSL goal since 2014 to equalize for the Wave!! @sandiegowavefc | #WaveFC pic.twitter.com/NDmJtIzE3w
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2022
This one actually reached extra time, and with just 10 minutes remaining until the shootout, Alex Morgan fired a drive across the face of goal that ended up in the back corner.
IT HAD TO BE ALEX MORGAN!!@sandiegowavefc | #WaveFC pic.twitter.com/McOwynzpgK
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 17, 2022
The semifinals are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23. Portland Thorns host San Diego at Providence Park in the day's first match, and then OL Reign welcomes Kansas City to Lumen Field in Seattle.
