Hat Trick Hopkins Solidifies 4-1 Victory vs. Denver Summit

Kansas City Current hosted Denver Summit FC for the first time in NWSL history on Saturday, Sept. 26th. Denver arrived at CPKC Stadium in 10th place, boasting a 5-game unbeaten streak, while Kansas City has fought to remain in playoff contention, holding down the fort at 9th place, but defending a historic 29-game regular-season home unbeaten streak (22-0-7) at CPKC Stadium.

KC STARING XI

A notable change in the starting lineup as Croix Bethune was marked unavailable today due to a minor hip injury. Forward Temwa Chawinga entered today’s match having scored in six straight starts at CPKC Stadium. Goalkeeper and 2026 Ballon d’Or nominee Lorena got the start in net for KC.

SHOWDOWN WITH THE SUMMIT 👊

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-26T15:31:49.584Z

HALF I:

Denver arrived in Kansas City with a slew of players on hot streaks. Janine Sonis and Yazmeen Ryan have been the primary offensive contributors for Denver, combining for 10 assists this season so far. USWNT midfielder and captain, Lindsey Heaps, with the captain’s armband today for Denver, recently returned to the NWSL and has already bagged 2 goals and 3 assists in 8 appearances.

Heaps wasted no time, scoring a goal in the 12th minute amidst a Current defensive scramble, but the Current managed to conjure a couple of dangerous looks throughout the following fifteen minutes, forcing a handful of saves from Summit goalkeeper Abby Smith.

Kansas City’s first legitimate look of the half came in the 31st minute when Current forward Haley Hopkins found Chawinga sending a shot just into the outside of the net. Just a minute later, Chawinga found herself again inside Denver’s 18-yard box chasing a through ball before Summit defender Ayo Oke pulled her down, resulting in a penalty to be taken by Debinha, who ultimately had her PK saved by Smith.

The Current continued their momentum, impressively keeping their foot on the gas, forcing the Summit on their heels. The pressure paid off in the 40th minute as midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo cheekily lofted a pass to an onrushing Michelle Cooper, who then found the feet of a streaking Haley Hopkins, leveling the match at one-one. Current 1, Summit 1.

Despite first-half setbacks, Kansas City found a way to claw their way back into the match. The offensive powerhouse of Chawinga, Debinha, and Cooper allowed them to contend in just about any matchup in the league – especially when they were all firing on all cylinders.

Halftime Statistics:

• Goals: KC 1, DEN 1
• Shots: KC 12, DEN 5
• xG: KC 1.38, DEN .45
• Yellow card(s): Sheehan, 5′ (DEN)

HALF II:

Player of the Match contender Haley Hopkins was not content with being level or having just one goal to her name, as she sneakily picked off a poor defensive moment from Denver, finding herself in a 50/50 with Denver’s goalkeeper, 30 yards out from goal. Hopkins capped the effort off with a calm and class finish to give her side the lead. Current 2, Summit 1.

The Queen of Hustle 👑Haley Hopkins gets her brace and gives KC the lead!

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-26T18:00:04.396Z

HAT TRICK HALEY! HAT TRICK HALEY! A quick counterattack found Chawinga in space as she absolutely torched Summit defender Gaetino to find a wide-open Haley Hopkins, who slotted it home with precision. Current 3, Summit 1.

HAT 🎩 TRICK 🎩 HOPKINS 🎩

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-26T18:00:45.349Z

Play continued in the Current’s favor throughout the second half before Temwa Chawinga, in the 76th minute, received yet another cheeky pass from DiBernardo – this time a blind heel ball, completely confusing and redirecting Denver’s defense- and Temwa buried the ball in the back of the net. As the crowd erupted, the assistant referee on the east sideline stood with his flag raised for offside. After official VAR review, however, the goal stood. Current 4, Summit 1.

WE. WANT. 4.Temwa gets her 11th goal of the season after VAR Review!

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-09-26T18:29:45.435Z

Current substitutions:

• Rocky Rodriguez for Debinha (63′)
• Itala Gemelli for Robinson (73′)
• Bayley Feist for LaBonta (73′)
• Amelia White for Cooper (82′)
• Penelope Hocking for DiBernardo (82′)

Kansas City strung together a strong performance at CPKC Stadium, certainly not denying the allegations of it being a fortress in the league for them. As it stands on Saturday afternoon, Kansas City jumped up to 6th place in the league standings while Denver remained in 10th. The Current’s home unbeaten streak during regular season play also extended to 30 games (23-0-7).

Play resumes back at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3rd, at 5:30pm against Bay FC.