KC Current win Teal Rising Cup, defeating Palmeiras 6-1

The Kansas City Current won the Teal Rising Cup for the second year in a row. The game was basically decided in the first half as the Current led 6-0 at halftime. A hat trick by Haley Hopkins, goals by Temwa Chawinga and Amelia White, along with an own goal, gave Kansas City all they needed to lift the cup at CPKC Stadium.

From the starting lineup to the Current completely breaking down the SE Palmerias defense, Kansas City did everything possible in the first half to celebrate winning the Teal Rising Cup.

IN OUR CHAMPIONSHIP TEAL 🔥

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T22:11:21.267Z

SE Palmeiras, with Bia Zaneratto, tested the Kansas City defense and brought the pressure early. Their first shot on goal hit the crossbar, and then the tide turned. One minute and 30 seconds in, Haley Hopkins took the ball towards the end line, crossed it to connect with Amelia White, but a Palmeiras defender, in her attempt to intercept the pass, sent it in for an own goal.

In the seventh minute, Lo’eau LaBonta won the ball and immediately passed to Hopkins, who took it into the goal box. A Palmeiras defender stepped in before Hopkins had a chance to take a shot on goal, but Debihna recovered the loose ball and passed it back to Hopkins. She may have been offside, but there was no VAR in this tournament, and the game was 2-0 barely 10 minutes into the game.

Haley Hopkins bleeds teal 😮‍💨Haley delivering a cheeky meg for her second goal of the tournament 🔥

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T23:27:12.273Z

In the 15th minute, Debinha again assisted in a goal. This time for Amelia White, who sent a shot in for a goal from outside the box. The goalkeeper was completely unprepared to attempt a stop.

Make that three goals! White with the shross and it beats the keeper. She must have heard they took her first goal away and called it an own goal.Either way, she got her first professional goal tonight. 3-0 KC Current. #KCBaby #TealRisingCup

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T23:22:48.839Z

Haley Hopkins made it 4-0 in the 26th minute. Croix Bethune, on a free kick, sent a perfect ball to the box, where Hopkins headed it in for her second goal of the evening. She, of course, was not done for the evening and scored her third a few minutes after the Palmeiras goalkeeper came out of her box, leaving a wide-open net.

Hopkins with a hat trick! 5-0 KC Current in the first half! #KCBaby #TealRisingCup

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T23:44:29.734Z

And last but not least in the KC Current goalfest was Temwa Chawinga, who scored her first goal of 2026, doing what she does best, running to a ball after a teammate served it into space. Chawinga met with the ball,  beat defenders in her way, and scored around the goalkeeper to give Kansas City the 6-0 lead. In the sequence, we saw a glimpse of the Bethune-Chawinga partnership that could be possible this season.

Croix to Temwa and it's 6-0… wild! #KCBaby #TealRisingCup

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-04-12T23:51:12.033Z

Palmeira would not leave Kansas City without a goal in the second half, getting a late free kick header goal from Bia Zaneratto, who spent much of the game frustrated at the missed opportunities. But her goal was a sweet reminder of her ability to score on set-piece goals.

After five minutes of added time, the Current celebrated their second Teal Rising Cup championship win. Haley Hopkins was named MVP for the second straight year.