The Currently Courageous match preview

This is a ridiculous way to start an NWSL preview article but considering the similarities in the names Current and Courage calls to mind David Letterman’s infamous Oscars “Oprah – Uma” bit. These two teams share a lengthy history of players (Debinha, Sam Mewis, Lynn Biyendolo, Haley Hopkins, Kristen Hamilton, etc.) and have played some important matches (last year’s quarterfinals, etc.) and so some comedian needs to pull a Letterman and just start repeating “Current, Courage, Courage, Current”.

But in all seriousness, these two teams will play an important match this Saturday evening at CPKC Stadium. It is probably especially important for the visiting North Carolina Courage as they enter the match tied on points with Gotham for the 8th and final playoff spot with nine matches to play. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Current are getting increasingly comfortable in the driver’s seat of the Shield race this season. KC has a full 12-point advantage (plus the tiebreaker) over second place Washington Spirit and of the Current’s nine remaining matches, six of them are at home. It bears repeating that in the two-year history of CPKC Stadium, only one team has ever defeated KC at home and only one team has ever held KC scoreless at home. It just so happens that in both those cases, the opponent was the Orlando Pride, so Kansas City is likely feeling pretty good about wrapping up the #1 seed in the playoffs relatively soon. As crazy as it sounds, within just three matches, it could be mathematically impossible for any team to surpass the Current this season.

Before anyone starts crowning the Current, though, they have to face one of just two teams to defeat them this year. In fact, North Carolina is the only team to beat Kansas City in both 2024 and 2025 to this point. In both cases, the Courage victories came in Cary, NC, and in both cases, Kansas City grabbed the initial lead only to see it vanish and reverse late. Coincidentally, in both ’24 and ’25, North Carolina beat the Current by scoring in the 92nd minute.

While the Current may find it challenging to play in, or at least hold onto leads in, Tarheel country, KC has held their own when the matches are played in the Midwest–winning thrice at CPKC last year (regular season, Summer Cup, and playoffs). These matches are always close, with only one of the five games played over the past two seasons being decided by more than a single goal–KC’s 2-0 win in the Summer Cup semi-final.

The Current enter this weekend’s bout riding a ten-match streak without a loss (nine wins and one draw). They also enter with a team that is increasingly healthy and fresh. Gabby Robinson made her season debut last time out (though won’t be available this weekend due to a red card) and Kristen Hamilton has been practicing recently after dealing with a hip injury all year. They will still be short-handed in the center of the defensive line, but Hailie Mace has filled in admirably there the past two matches helping contribute to a pair of shutouts. Additionally, Elizabeth Ball should be getting close to returning.

Speaking of shutouts, the Current carry a 452-minute streak of holding opponents without a goal into this game. Assuming the Courage don’t score within the first two minutes on Saturday evening, KC will establish a new club record, topping the 453-minute mark they achieved earlier this year. The Current, behind stellar play from goalkeeper Lorena, haven’t conceded in the regular season since June 14th. And in 270 all time minutes played at CPKC Stadium, the North Carolina Courage have never scored.

Contrast all this success for Kansas City with the recent run of form for North Carolina and one finds a different picture. The Courage are winless over their last four outings with three draws and a loss. The team hasn’t notched a victory since they scored twice on the 10-woman Houston Dash on June 21st. Last time out, they couldn’t hold a 2-goal lead and ended up conceding the league’s fastest ever hattrick to Chicago’s Ludmila. Their injury report is fairly short, but they will likely be again without the services of regular contributors Denise O’Sullivan and Olivia Wingate. They do bring some high-profile athletes with USWNT experience with them such as Casey Murphy, Jaedyn Shaw, and Ashley Sanchez.

Assuming Kansas City’s defense doesn’t suddenly start leaking goals (and they watch out for the 92nd minute curse), this game could be as simple as first team to one goal wins. Frequently this season, the Current have scored early and often, including in Portland last weekend when it took the team all of 55 seconds to grab a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Coach Andonovski has had the luxury of resting and rotating much of his lineup of late, so any of about 16 athletes could conceivably make the starting lineup. The one sure thing? Kayla Sharples in the middle of the backline as she hasn’t missed a second of play this season.

Sharples stays sharp in her mindset 👑

Our iron woman @kaysharps – playing every minute this season 🦾@BlueKC | #SidelinetheStigma pic.twitter.com/3YwQ7feJwk

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) August 26, 2025

WHEN: Saturday, August 30 at 6:30 PM (Central Time)

WHERE: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

HOW TO WATCH: Ion, 38 the Spot

Record:

KC Current: 14-1-2 (43 points, 1st place)

North Carolina Courage: 5-6-6 (21 points, 9th place)

Last Match:

KC Current: 2-0 road win versus Portland Thorns

North Carolina Courage: 3-3 road draw versus Chicago Stars