KC Current
KC Current defeated by Gotham FC in NWSL Challenge Cup
The two champions from the 2025 NWSL season faced off in Columbus, Ohio, in the 2026 Challenge Cup. Kansas City Current, as the Shield winners, went against Gotham FC, the NWSL Champions. It would be a rematch of rematches with each club going 1-1 against each other in their last two meetings, with the Current in a 2-1 most recent win in April, but with Gotham winning 2-1 last November, ending the Current’s 2025 historic season.
Nearly a month since the last time we saw Kansas City on the pitch, the team would look slightly different with a new number nine, as Ally Sentnor was traded to Angel City two weeks ago, and Haley Hopkins was the obvious choice. Lorena, sidelined by a hip injury, would be replaced by Marisa Jordan at goalkeeper.
Playing for something more tonight 👏
— KC Current (@kansascitycurrent.bsky.social) 2026-06-27T00:52:29.903Z
The first half was highlighted by Gotham FC’s penalty kick in the 37th minute. Kansas City had five shots on target, three on target to Gotham’s four total and one on target, looking like a team likely to score. But again, Gotham’s only shot on target was that penalty kick given up by Lo’eau LaBonta, taking down Jaelin Howell in the box. Esther took the penalty kick and converted right past Jordan, who went the opposite way to attempt a block, giving Gotham the 1-0 lead.
Esther González converts her PK and gives Gotham the lead ‼️
Any comeback in the second half was stopped by Ann-Katrin Berger and eventually by rookie Jordyn Dudley in the 79th minute for Gotham FC to win the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, with the 2-0 victory.
THE ROOKIE 🗣️Gotham forward Jordynn Dudley with a beauty of a goal!
For the Current, it was another lackluster performance away from CPKC Stadium, with minimal creativity, resulting in another loss (1-6 overall under Head Coach Chris Armas on the road). Gotham FC did what they needed to do, maintaining 55% possession and finding the opportunities to win the game, even if their shots on target were minimal, two all game, two to win the game. But sometimes, that’s all you need. And that’s the difference between one well-coached team and one not. Ope.
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Woah! You went there. Not sure I’m ready for Armas Out because there’s been a lot of weirdness to start the year – but, it was a weird hire to begin with and he hasn’t shown much.
I know. Eek! But this roster is too good to be 1-6 on the road this year, and the away games have been disappointing. Sure, we can hype the winning record at home. But the entire season isn’t played at CPKC Stadium.