Quarterfinals in KC: Current host Gotham

In most other soccer leagues around the world, the season would be over and the Kansas City Current would have been crowned champions. In the United States, though, we’re all about the playoffs and so while KC thoroughly dominated this whole season, this year will be viewed as somewhat of a disappointment if the team can’t win three more games.

One glance at the final regular season standings and it’s obvious just how incredible the Current have been this year. They have set numerous records from total wins to fewest goals allowed and the 21-point gap that separates them from second place is nearly as big as the 24-point gap that separates second from last place. The +36 goal differential is more than three-and-a-half times greater than the next best team. There were stretches of the season during which it seemed like no one would ever score against the Current defense again.

For a league that boasts its parity, Kansas City didn’t cooperate this year.

26 weeks. Nothing given, everything earned. ⁣⁣The final table is set — and the road to the playoffs is officially on. 🏁⁣⁣@carmax.com | #RoadToTheShield

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-11-03T15:28:38.120Z

And yet, none of that matters now. Yes, the Current have the NWSL Shield in hand and no one is going to take that away from them, but as the team’s media blitz keeps broadcasting this week, “We’re not done yet.” This season has already gone down as one of the best all time in American women’s soccer, but anything short of hoisting another trophy in San Jose in a few weeks will cast a long shadow over these accomplishments.

Talk of the town…but there's no news to report.  Because we’re not done yet. It's #TealTime. Our 2025 NWSL Playoff Campaign starts now.

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2025-11-03T21:02:25.663Z

So, up next is a date with the vigilantes of Gotham. In some Decision Day chaos, the New Jersey team lost 2-3 to a North Carolina team desperately trying to qualify for the postseason and fell all the way down to 8th place. Their punishment for that loss is a trip to the Midwest and a visit to a chilly CPKC Stadium that is certain to be hopping. The Current will have the Kansas City sports world to themselves as Sporting have finally granted their fans the mercy of an offseason, the Royals couldn’t quite make it into the playoffs, and the Chiefs have a bye week. Union Station is already decked out in teal and red.

Of course, the playoff brackets don’t necessarily do the Current any favors. Yes, they’ll get to host the quarterfinal match, as well as the semifinal if they make it, but Gotham could present KC a strong challenge. NJ/NY has been one of the most consistently good teams over the past few seasons–they won the Championship in 2023 and finished in 3rd (ahead of KC) last season. They also boast a lot of star power with everyone from USWNT superstar Rose Lavelle to reigning NWSL goalkeeper of the year Ann-Katrin Berger. Most of their backline will be featured in the 2027 World Cup. They added Jaedyn Shaw to the mix late this summer and of course have Spaniard Esther González, who really pushed Temwa Chawinga in her effort for a second straight Golden Boot award.

The story of this match, though, might be as much about who isn’t on the field as who is. Both of those Golden Boot contenders missed their teams’ games last weekend as Chawinga works to recover from an adductor injury and Esther is sidelined with a hip issue. For KC, besides long-term injuries (or pregnancies) to starters like Alana Cook and Vanessa DiBernardo, all eyes will be on Bia Zaneratto to see whether the injury that forced her out of the match on Sunday will keep her out this weekend. For Gotham, knee injuries to players like Tierna Davidson, Geyse, and Ella Stevens may also shorten their bench.

History is on the Current’s side as not only is KC undefeated at home this year (only one loss ever at CPKC Stadium), but they’ve actually never lost to Gotham, posting an all-time record of six wins, five draws, and zero losses. In fact, this is a rematch of a game that took place just a few weeks ago when the Current hosted Gotham and sent them away with a 2-0 defeat. Of course, this is no time to rest on one’s laurels–just two years ago Gotham was the road team in every match on their way to the title.

The road to the 2025 NWSL Championship starts now 🏆 Presented by Google Pixel

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-11-03T00:37:26.577Z

Peeking ahead just momentarily, should KC win this Sunday, that would likely setup a rematch of last year’s semifinal against Orlando–the one (important) difference being that it would be played in KC this time around.

For each of the eight remaining teams, they have 26 matches in the book, but the results of those games no longer matter. It’s “win or go home” from here on out. The Current have done just about everything right thus far, but that all goes out the window and it’s just about the 90 minutes midday on Sunday. If Chawinga is available (she was reported as “day-t0-day” last week), KC may be just about unstoppable. If Temwa can’t go, this will likely be a battle decided by the thinnest of margines. (Counting the two last weekend, Kansas City has only scored four goals with Chawinga not on the pitch this season.)

Whose season ends and who gets to play on? Show up or tune in at 11:30 Sunday to find out.

WHEN: Sunday, November 9 at 11:30 AM (Central Time)

WHERE: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

HOW TO WATCH: ABC / ESPN+ 

Record:

KC Current: 21-2-3 (#1 seed)

Gotham FC: 9-9-8 (#8 seed)

Last Match:

KC Current: 2-1 home win versus San Diego Wave

Gotham FC: 2-3 road loss to North Carolina Courage

Grab your popcorn 🍿KC Current welcome Gotham FC to CPKC Stadium for an epic quarterfinal battle!Presented by Google Pixel

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-11-03T04:11:41.306Z