The interesting thing about the Kansas City Current’s game-winning goal against the North Carolina Courage on Sunday is that the most important part of the sequence may have been when Lo’eau LaBonta did nothing.
The hosts were fresh off leveling the match and had surrendered a chance to Kerolin, who sent the shot wide. Off the ensuing goal kick, the Current wound up with possession and built a speedy attack thanks to some clever interplay between Kristen Hamilton, LaBonta, and Claire Lavogez. The final ball, however, was played to LaBonta while she was in an offside position. She wisely pulled up, forcing the Courage to clear the ball out for a throw-in, instead of getting a defensive free kick.
LaBonta got an appreciative pat from Hamilton, who played the ball in. The Current made good use of the ball remaining in the attacking third as they took the lead before the Courage were able to get it out.