Houston Dash 1-1 Kansas City Current ended level at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, with Kat Rader’s late penalty cancelling out Debinha’s first-half opener in a competitive National Women’s Soccer League fixture.
Kansas City struck first in the 44th minute. Debinha found the decisive touch shortly before the interval to send the Current into the break with a 1-0 advantage, rewarding the visitors for a first half in which they edged possession and carried a consistent attacking threat.
The Current finished with 53 percent of the ball and outshot Houston 15-12, although both sides placed three efforts on target. Houston remained firmly in the contest, however, and their pressure eventually produced the chance to level.
Rader, who had been booked in the 70th minute, held her nerve from the spot in the 81st minute to convert the penalty and bring the Dash back on terms. The goal lifted the home support among the 7,112 in attendance and set up a tense closing stretch.
Neither side could find a winner through seven minutes of stoppage time. Houston earned four corners, matching Kansas City’s total, while the Dash defended resolutely after their equaliser to preserve a legitimate point.
Debinha’s goal in the 44th minute gave Kansas City the early edge, but Rader’s 81st-minute penalty ensured the points were shared in Houston.
