The KC Current earn a much-needed win vs. Gotham FC

A return to CPKC Stadium may just be what the Kansas City Current needed after a 0-3 road trip with losses in Chicago, Seattle, and Portland. Coming into the game, the Current, at 1-3, 13th place, have not reflected their 2025 selves, but their opponent, Gotham FC,  1-1-2, 10th place, has also struggled to look like the team that won the NWSL Championship. Both teams had yet to win three points since the first week.

For the Current, the big news of the week was the announcement that two-time MVP Temwa Chawinga had been removed from the season-ending injury list. Chawinga had missed playing time since suffering a lower-body injury back in October in Houston. It’s a return that had been greatly anticipated, as the Current’s attack has been pretty much non-existent.

Head Coach Chris Armas may have had his strongest starting XI available against the team that knocked Kansas City out of the playoffs last season. With the return of Chawinga in the wing, Croix Bethune and Lo’eau LaBonta made up that defensive midfield for Kansas City. At times, Izzy Rodriguez would shift towards the middle behind Bethune for support. Gabrielle Robinson returned to the starting centerback position alongside Kayla Sharples.

Ready to defend our home 💪

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-04-04T19:01:00.547Z

For the first time since the second half of the second game, Kansas City appeared to have control early and was better organized defensively. There were still moments of the Current just losing possession easily, but Gotham did not have much of an attack. But in the 28th minute, the Current lost the ball in the midfield and left Jaedyn Shaw unmarked, which cost them the first goal, too reminiscent of her goal last November.

Gotham FC's Jaedyn Shaw takes her chances and shoots from distance 🚀

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2026-04-04T20:48:57.931Z

For the fourth time this season, the Current conceded the first goal in the first half. What Kansas City had been unable to do all season was score in the first half, but their attack in this game was finding openings, especially on the right side towards Michelle Cooper. In the 37th minute, Bethune sent a long ball to Cooper, who was able to send it in front of the goalbox, where Chawinga sent a nice little flick back, where Debinha was perfectly positioned for her to score the equalizer.

A complete KC team goal 😏Croix Bethune ➡️ Michelle Cooper ➡️ Temwa Chawinga ➡️ Debinha

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2026-04-04T20:51:14.383Z

Chawinga, after creating two chances and one assist in her return, subbed out in the 40th minute, likely as she works her way back to game time minutes (Haley Hopkins subbed in her place), and Kansas City headed into halftime for the second straight game without being down.

The second half would be the winning half for the Current. In the 60th minute, in an attempt to clear the ball away, Gotham’s Lilly Reale headed the ball right to Sentnor, who saw Cooper to her right and sent her the pass. Cooper took two touches to send it past goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, giving Kansas the game-winning goal.

COOOOOOP THERE IT IS 🗣️Michelle Cooper with the meg & the goal after service from Ally Sentnor 🙂‍↕️

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-04-04T21:34:24.460Z

While Kansas City held Gotham to zero shots on goal until the dying minutes of the half, the New York/New Jersey-based team had dangerous opportunities, but the Current continued their organization in the back and played five-back to keep Gotham from scoring as Laney Rouse subbed in for Sentnor in the 89th minute.

Kansas City earned a much-needed win and three points in their return to CPKC Stadium after a tough road trip, defeating the NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, 2-1. The Current and the NWSL now head to the international break, hosting the Teal Rising Cup at CPKC Stadium next weekend.