KC Current rally for the comeback vs. Orlando, draw 2-2

The Kansas City Current capped off a busy week against the Orlando Pride after being the talk of the NWSL for parting ways with Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski on Monday and releasing a brief press release that omitted his achievements with the club. The attention was now, of course, on the Current taking on the Pride, the last team to have defeated Kansas City at CPKC Stadium during the regular season on July 6, 2024.

Kansas City would be without Croix Bethune, who was sidelined with a hip injury. Temwa Chawinga, who missed the game at Bay FC last week with an illness, returned to the starting XI. Lorena recovered from the knee injury that also kept her out of the game in the Bay Area. Minus Bethune, Chris Armas’ side was near full strength to take on Orlando.

13 minutes in, Kansas City kept Barbra Banda and the Orlando Pride out of the final third. The Current pressed for that first goal, but could not quite get the right final touch in the box. Not even a multi-opportunity scramble with several shots near the Orlando box in the 17th minute gave the Current the leading goal. That would be the storyline of the first half: chance after chance after chance, but failed to finish or stopped by the saves of Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morché. By the stats alone (1.57 xG, 12 shots, 3 on goal, and 5 big chances), the Current should have been the leading side. But it was Barbra Banda in the 43’ and 53’ minute that silenced the crowd.

Banda’s first goal caught KC’s center backs and Lorena completely unprepared for her shot attempt from outside the box. On her second goal, she easily went around Elizabeth Ball, and no other KC defender was close enough to stop her.

There’s goals… and then there’s Barbra Banda Bangers 🙂‍↕️The Ballon d’Or nominee gives Orlando Pride the first-half lead!

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2026-09-12T01:04:19.749Z

Down 2-0, the Current’s 28 straight regular season games without a loss at home appeared to be in real danger of ending. But a Chawinga goal in the 53’ minute brought life back to Kansas City. Michelle Cooper took possession in the midfield and dribbled to pass to Chawinga, who was also making a run. Chawinga received the pass, and even though the ball briefly bounced off her foot, she regained possession, could not be challenged enough, and shot on goal to make the game 2-1.

A 𝓋𝒾𝓃𝓉𝒶𝑔𝑒 Temwa goal gets KC back into the match!Her 10th goal of the season 💪

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-12T01:34:58.602Z

Three minutes later, the Current found the equalizer after a corner kick. Driven to make this game even, Rodriguez shot for goal, but it was stopped by Morché. After another brief scramble, it was Elizabeth Ball who was in the right spot to score the Current’s second goal of the night, and ultimately the goal needed to continue the unbeaten streak at home, which has now extended to 29.

JUST. LIKE. THAT.EBall brings KC level, just six minutes after being down 0-2!#KCBABY

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-12T01:36:07.640Z

Kansas City heads back on the road to face the San Diego Wave next Friday, September 18 at Snapdragon Stadium.