KC Current clinch playoff spot with 2-0 win

The Kansas City Current returned to CPKC Stadium to close out the month of August to face the North Carolina Courage in a much comfortable temperature of 79 degrees at kickoff. The Current came into another game unbeaten, leading for the 13th NWSL regular season week and with a chance to clinch a spot in the NWSL playoffs with a win. North Carolina is one of the teams that have handed Kansas City a loss this season, with Seattle being the other. They would not get the best of the Current in this matchup, as the Current defeated the Courage 2-0, remaining unbeaten at home this season.

Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski again opted for rotation, giving Ally Sentnor her second start as the 10, and Debinha taking Bia Zanereatto’s spot at the nine. The Current started in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lorena at goalkeeper, who entered the match with nine shutouts. Izzy Rodriguez, Hailie Mace, Kayla Sharples, and Ellie Wheeler made up the backline, and Claire Hutton and Lo’eau LaBonta lined up at defensive midfield with Michelle Cooper and Temwa Chawinga at the wings.

With the North Carolina Courage looking for their first win since June 21, they were determined to be the first to get on the board. By the 10th minute, they had their first shot on goal, but Lorena was ready and blocked Ashley Sanchez’s attempt. North Carolina continued the pressure in the first 25 minutes. But with no goals to show, the Current set a new club record for minutes without a goal.

KC has set a new club record for reg-season shutout mins with 454 (and counting!) The current streak started in the 90' vs. Louisville on June 14th.

The previous record was 453 mins set earlier this year from 49' on March 15th to 52' on April 26th. #kcbaby

— Jillian Carroll Letrinko (@JillianC_arroll) August 30, 2025

In the 31st minute, after a corner kick and North Carolina’s clearance, Izzy Rodriguez regained possession. She sent the ball towards the box, and it got past everyone, taking a bounce into the goal. Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy just missed it. This was Izzy’s first goal of the season and fifth of her career.

A toast to your first goal of the season, @izzyrodriguezzz 😌

Rodriguez takes a shot from downtown and finds her 5th career goal 👏@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/3Uuprvbkoe

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) August 31, 2025

Ten minutes later, it was the Current extending their lead to 2-0 as Lo’eua LaBonta converted a penalty kick after Temwa Chawinga was challenged in the box. The challenge, from an initial look, seemed like an easy one for the referee to make. Kayleigh Kurtz did not make contact with Chawinga, but perhaps the danger of the challenge was enough for the referee to make the call. There did not appear to be VAR to confirm or disallow (I think).

THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN 🔥@L0momma records her 13th career penalty kick, tied for second for all-time regular season PKs in NWSL history 👏@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/hAfvDpHkSC

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) August 31, 2025

A much physical second half followed as both teams combined for a total of 14 fouls. The Current had 11 of them. Chawinga left the game in the 78th minute and headed straight to the locker room for further evaluation. Michelle Cooper also exited the game in the 81st minute after a knock, but it did not appear too serious.

The 2-0 score at halftime would hold until the end, as the Kansas City Current continued their winning ways, clinching a spot in the NWSL playoffs and becoming the first team to do so. The Current also set an NWSL record of consecutive matches with a shutout of six games and extended its shutout minutes to 542 minutes.