KC Current win 2-1 in a comeback vs. San Diego

The Kansas City Current hosted the San Diego Wave in the final game of the regular season, aka NWSL Decision Day, when all teams faced off in their own respective matches. For the Current, having already clinched the top spot, Decision Day would decide their opponent for the quarterfinal, the team that finished in 8th place, but that would not be known until the conclusion of all NWSL matches. For the Wave, a win or a draw would decide their placement as high as third or fourth place, but a win at CPKC Stadium is no easy feat. The Current have not lost at home all season.

The Current would be without Temwa Chawinga, who suffered an adductor injury against the Houston Dash two weeks ago. Her status is day-to-day, with a chance she could be ready for the playoffs, so obviously, there was no sense of urgency for her return for this game against San Diego, and that was good news for the Wave, not having to defend Chawinga. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski still went with a strong starting XI, using this game as a tune-up for the upcoming playoffs.

With San Diego playing for their position in the playoffs, they certainly had more to gain by scoring early. It took eight minutes as the Wave’s Dudinha went on an impressive run, beating a few Kansas City players on her way towards the goal and nutmegging Lorena for the leading goal. It was just the 13th goal conceded by Kansas City this season. For Dudinha, it was her fifth goal of the season since joining the Wave in July.

Kansas City had trouble gaining momentum in the first half, often struggling to get the connecting passes they needed, for sure missing Chawinga’s presence, and San Diego disrupting the Current’s play in the final third. The match was also quite chippy, with players spending time on the ground and fouls galore, many of which were not called in any team’s favor, much to the displeasure of the Kansas City crowd. Bia Zaneratto ended up leaving at the end of the first half due to a knee injury.

In the end, it was not the Current’s best first half of the season, giving up a goal so early in a game, something that had not happened since May 2025 against Seattle Reign FC. The Wave controlled the half with 60% possession, five total shots, and two on target.

For all the worries the first half may have given us, the second half was a completely different tale, giving fans a better second half on Fan Appreciation Day. The Current looked more like themselves, poised for a comeback on the final day of the regular season. In the 52nd minute, Ally Sentnor was taken down near the 18-yard box, giving the Current a direct free kick and Debinha an opportunity to level this match 1-1 with her eighth goal of the season.

Debinha’s goal would not be her only contribution in this match. She was key in the Current’s second goal, sending a pass to Haley Hopkins, who subbed in the 66th minute for Michelle Cooper. Hopkins took the ball into the box and sent a cross right to Nichelle Prince, who was making a run on the right side. Prince with a one-touch, sent it right into the goal, scoring her first goal of the season and her 15th overall in her career.

The Current’s comeback gave them their 21st win of the season, earning 65 points and setting a high bar for the most points in a regular season. With the win, the Current head to the NWSL playoffs as the number one team, ready to host the quarterfinal next weekend at CPKC Stadium.