KC Current with a 2-1 comeback win in season opener

The Kansas City Current kicked off the 2026 NWSL season against Utah Royals FC, returning for a third season at CPKC Stadium. It was the beginning of a new era under head coach Chris Armas, who was hired in January after Vlatko Andonovski stepped down after the 2025 season to focus on his sporting director position.

In addition to the coaching change, the big storyline heading into the new season was the lingering injuries to Michelle Cooper and Temwa Chawinga, which they sustained at the end of last season. Cooper was removed from the season injury list 24 hours ago, as Chawinga remained. In addition, Lo’eau LaBonta would miss the home opener with a knee injury, and Rocky Rodriguez was also out with a lower leg injury. This would leave Armas with limited options at midfield and an opportunity to adjust.

THE FIRST STARTING XI OF ‘26 💫

— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-03-14T19:00:59.867Z

Katie Scott and Bailey Feist started in a double pivot with Ellie Bravo-Young, Gabrielle Robinson, Kayla Sharples, and Izzy Rodriguez behind them defensively. With Michelle Cooper and Debinha at the wings, Croix Bethune and Ally Sentnor led the attack.

The game would be a tale of two halves. The Current struggled to connect passes in the final third and found themselves outshot 7-2. Utah Royals FC surprised the Current in the first half with a goal in the 35th minute as Tatum Milazzo scored off a header. Though Sharples talked with the referee about a potential offside or even a foul on Lorena, the goal celebration would continue, and Utah continued to halftime with a 1-0 lead.

The Current would make adjustments in the second half. Cooper, likely limited to minutes, left at the start of the half, and Haley Hopkins subbed in her place. The Current’s press shifted, and the passes began to connect as Kansas City found space and opportunities to get shots on goal. A long pass from Gabby Robinson into the box, one that Kayla Sharples had a back heel pass towards Croix Bethune, gave the Current the equalizer they needed in the 57th minute. Bethune celebrated immediately in her first game in CPKC Stadium as a member of the Current.

Gabby to Kayla to Croix and it's 1-1! #KCBaby #KCvUTA

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-03-14T21:25:01.254Z

The attack didn’t ease as the Current looked for the winning goal, and it would be Ally Sentnor who had been looking for her first goal as a member of the KC Current since joining the club mid-season 2025. Sentnor, in the box, was able to dribble past several Utah players and found her shot to give Kansas City the 2-1 lead in the 69th minute.

Ally Sentnor opens her KC Current account! 2-1 Kansas City! #KCBaby #KCvUTA

— KC Soccer Journal (@kcsoccerjournal.bsky.social) 2026-03-14T21:36:07.254Z

The Current continued their success at CPKC Stadium, winning another home opener. While it took the Current 45 minutes to shake off the first game of the season rust, they were able to start their 2026 campaign on a winning note.