Kansas City NWSL wins first game behind Victoria Pickett goal

Kansas City NWSL won their first game of the NWSL regular season, defeating OL Reign 1-0 at home.

Saturday night’s victory was also the club’s first after entering the NWSL as an expansion team this season. (While essentially a re-incarnation of Utah Royals FC, the Kansas City club is considered an expansion team after buying all of Utah’s player-related assets.)

Kansas City’s decisive goal came in the 73^rd minute off a deflected free kick. After picking up a loose ball in the box, Victoria Pickett slotted a low shot past Sarah Bouhaddi to put Kansas City up 1-0.

Pick that one out, @hellopickett‼️#KCvRGN | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/QsLO7K1Zql

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 15, 2021

The 1-0 win snapped OL Reign’s three-game win streak in coach Laura Harvey’s first match with the Tacoma team.

Next up: Kansas City will look to keep up their winning ways when they take on the North Carolina Courage on Saturday. OL Reign will face off against Gotham FC on Saturday at home.