The Kansas City Current will host Angel City FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET in an NWSL quarterfinal matchup featuring the league's two highest-scoring teams. Both clubs finished the regular season with 54 goals scored, setting the stage for a high-octane playoff encounter.
Kansas City's Resurgence Under Chris Armas
The Current carry a 32-game home unbeaten streak dating back to 2024 into the postseason. After a rough start to the season that included zero wins in their first four games, the team turned things around following the return of two-time Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga from injury. Midfielder Croix Bethune set an NWSL single-season record with 11 assists, including six game-winning assists, while forward Haley Hopkins co-leads the team with 12 goals alongside Chawinga. The roster's 54 goals have come from 13 different players. Head coach Chris Armas said the team has come together at the right time, citing improved fitness, health, and belief after a season of adversity.
Angel City's Turnaround Under Leif Gunnar Smerud
Angel City returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 on a 10-game unbeaten run. The club parted ways with head coach Alexander Straus in June after a midseason slump, then traded $850,000 in intraleague transfer funds to Kansas City for forward Ally Sentnor. Under interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud, the team has lost only once in its last 14 games. Angel City also scored 54 goals from 13 different scorers, with Sveindis Jonsdottir and Maiara Niehues combining for 19 goals. Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson posted 10 clean sheets, and fullback Evelyn Shores led the team with eight assists. Smerud said the group is prepared for the challenge and believes they can win on the road.
Previous Meetings and What's Next
Angel City won the first regular-season meeting 2-1 at BMO Stadium in May, while the August rematch in Kansas City ended in a 1-1 draw. The winner of this quarterfinal will face the winner of Gotham FC versus Seattle Reign in the semifinals, scheduled for November 14 and 15.
