Kansas City Current keep winning, defeat Chicago 4-1

Six days after winning the NWSL Shield, becoming the fastest team in league history to clinch the award for the season’s best record, the Kansas City Current hosted the Chicago Stars to close out the month of September. For the Stars, a loss or a draw would end their hopes of making the playoffs. For Kansas City, there would be no slowing down, as they continue to showcase why they are the best team in the league.

While rotation was expected, given that first place had been clinched and a couple of injuries (Hailie Mace and Kayla Sharples), Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski opted for a mix of his usual starters and players who have yet to get playing time. Lorena remained the starting goalkeeper while the backline included a season debut for Katie Scott. She would play the first half as Izzy Rodriguez subbed in at halftime. Bayley Feist also earned her first start of the season.

OUR STARTING STARS 🤩@BlueKC | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/9sKToLOIuP

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) September 26, 2025

The first half was a dominant performance by the Current, keeping the Stars on the defensive front while Kansas City worked to make it 1-0 early in the game. By the first half’s end, the Current had 53% possession, 13 shots, and 5 shots on target. And by the seventh minute, a pass from Michelle Cooper to Bia Zaneratto in the box led to the Current’s first goal as Bia gave a simple combo pass to Debinha, giving KC fans a glimpse of jogo bonito.

DEB STRIKES FIRST‼️

Debinha finds the back of the net for her 7th goal of the season 👏@NWSL | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/BvpTPj52ZX

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) September 27, 2025

Chicago managed a few shots in the first half (2 on target) and appeared to have equalized in the 43rd minute until a foul on Feist was called, and the goal was disallowed. In the second half, their efforts earned them a goal in the 58th minute as Nadia Gomes scored for the Stars, ending the Current’s 800+ minute shutout/14th game without a goal. Before Chicago’s goal, the Current had a 2-0 lead after Bia received a pass from Temwa Chawinga, and Bia took it all the way to the box and finished beautifully, despite the defensive pressure.

PRESSURE? WHAT PRESSURE? 😮‍💨

Bia fights off the defender to find the back of the net for her 6th regular season goal off an assist from Temwa Chawinga 🔥@nwsl | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/xGEw9kJ1d3

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) September 27, 2025

A tight 2-1 half continued until the Current were driving the ball forward in the 71st minute. Mary Long found Temwa Chawinga already making a run. Chawinga, who had a quieter night than usual in terms of shots and opportunities, was able to get past a box full of defenders for a perfect shot on goal and her 14th goal of the season, giving Kansas City the 3-1 lead.

GOLDEN. BOOT. LEADER.

Temwa Chawinga scores her 14th goal of the season, and it's another absolute CLASSIC 🤌‼️ pic.twitter.com/Ak9d8Df7cm

— KC Current – x (@thekccurrent) September 27, 2025

In stoppage time, Alex Pfeiffer, who subbed in for Michelle Cooper in the 62nd minute, was in the box when she was fouled for a penalty kick. Lo’eau LaBonta, the usual PK taker, easily converted, and Kansas City defeated the Stars 4-1. LaBonta officially tied Megan Rapinoe for most career regular-season penalty kicks, which stands at 14.

The Current will remain at the top of the table for the 18th week in a row with 56 points and an 18-2-2 record. Kansas City is now on a 15-match unbeaten streak. The Current travel to LA next for a Monday night game on October 6.