Kristen Hamilton is officially on the board for Kansas City.
That new KConnection ⚽️💥#KCvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/mSD09HbYMk— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 26, 2021
That new KConnection ⚽️💥#KCvLOU | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/mSD09HbYMk
Hamilton’s tally helped lift Kansas City over Racing Louisville 2-1 for the club’s second-straight win at home.
Kansas City took control of the game from the opening whistle. In the 17th minute, a cross from Hamilton deflected off Racing Louisville defender Erin Simon and into the net for an own goal. Forward Hailie Mace then assisted Hamilton for her goal in the 40th minute to put Kansas City up 2-0 at the half.
Hamilton’s big night punctuated a turbulent couple of weeks since Kansas City acquired her in a trade from North Carolina. The 29-year-old said in July that it was “tough” to come to terms with the trade but she was excited to be in Kansas City.
“It’s tough,” Hamilton said at the time. “I mean, I think that nobody expected it, to be able to pack up in a day and leave a team that I’ve been with for six years.
“So yeah, it’s tough, it’s emotional. But I’m excited to be here.”
Wednesday’s match marked Hamilton’s 100th NWSL appearance.
“I had no idea,” she said of the milestone afterward. “But just what is special to me is just being around the league for so long and seeing the growth that has already come, and it’s exciting to see what the future holds.”
Adrianna Franch, in her first start for Kansas City since being traded from the Portland Thorns, dominated in goal, facing seven shots and allowing just one.