Trinity Byars Clinches Draw for San Diego Over Kansas City

Byars Secures Point with Two Goals

Trinity Byars saved San Diego from a defeat at CPKC Stadium with a late equalizer, finishing 2‑2 against the Kansas City Current. The 23‑year‑old netted both Wave goals, the second coming in the final minute of regulation, and her contract extension now ties her to the club through the 2028 season. Byars has now scored six times in the last seven matches, a run that has turned her into one of San Diego’s most reliable attackers.

Kansas City’s Home Slip After Long Run

Kansas City had not lost a home regular‑season game since last September, but the Current could not preserve that streak on Friday night. The visitors had just lost 3‑0 to Orlando Pride, and their road woes continued with a sixth defeat on the season. Temwa Chawinga leads the Shield‑defending side with eight goals, while Croix Bethune tops the assists chart with five, yet the offense was not enough to overcome San Diego’s resilience.

San Diego’s Standings Keep Them on Top

Despite a 2‑0 loss to Angel City FC at Snapdragon Stadium the previous week, the Wave sit atop the NWSL standings with 28 points from 15 games. Coach Jonas Eidevall shuffled the lineup for Kansas City, inserting Trinity Byars and Laurina Fazer for Gabi Portilho and Melanie Barcenas. Colombian goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo, 19, earned her third start; she posted a clean sheet against Gotham FC before conceding twice versus Los Angeles. New signing Sandra Paños was on the bench, hinting at an imminent debut.

Goal‑SCoring Flow and Second‑Half Surge

Kimmi Ascanio plucked the ball in the attacking third, threaded it to Gia Corley, who set up Byars for the sixth‑minute opener. Corley’s assist was the third of the season, highlighting the depth of the Wave’s passing lanes. Kansas City responded quickly after halftime: Laney Rouse delivered a cross that Bethune volleyed into the bottom‑right corner, then Bethune found Chawinga on a fast break, who curled a left‑footed shot past Agudelo for the second goal.

Late Drama and Byars’ Decisive Finish

The home side pressed after falling behind, and the frantic finish produced a dramatic equalizer. Kenza Dali sent a pass to the right wing for Mimi Van Zanten, whose cross found Portillo at the edge of the box. Kristen McNabb’s volley was blocked, and Byars arrived late to tap the loose ball into the net, sealing the draw. This strike marked Byars’ sixth goal in seven games, reinforcing her status as a starter despite injuries to Dudinha and uncertain availability of Catarina Macario.

Up Next: San Diego Hosts Seattle Reign

San Diego will return to Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, July 26, to face the Seattle Reign FC. Seattle currently holds a 5‑2‑6 record and is driven offensively by Maddie Mercado, who has netted three goals this season. The Wave will aim to build on Byars’ match‑winning form and maintain their lead at the top of the league as the summer stretch run begins.