KANSAS CITY (September 12, 2024) — After returning to winning ways last weekend, the Kansas City Current (11-3-5, 38 points, 3rd place) begin a crucial three-game series against the other three of the NWSL’s top four clubs on Friday. First up for the Current is a showdown in Orlando against the undefeated Orlando Pride (14-0-5, 47 points, 1st place). Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video with Mike Watts, Lori Lindsey and Kealia Watt on commentary. Fans in Kansas City can listen to Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll Letrinko on 90.9 The Bridge or listen along in English or Spanish via the KC Current app.

A strong defensive effort helped the Currents to a 1-0 victory over the Utah Royals at CPKC Stadium last Saturday. The Royals, who entered the game on a four-game winning streak in all competitions, were hampered by six saves from Current goalkeeper Almuth Schult. Defenders Alana Cook and Kayla Sharples, who both played their first home games of the NWSL regular season last weekend, formed the foundation of a strong Current defense as the club earned its first clean sheet in the league since June 28.

Forward Temwa Chawinga scored the game-winning goal in the 47th minute against Utah. The goal was her 15th of the regular season, and the forward extended her lead in the race for the NWSL Golden Boot. Additionally, Chawinga tied midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta for the Current’s franchise record for most career goals in the NWSL regular season. Chawinga has scored in eight consecutive NWSL regular season games, also a league record, and is just three goals away from tying the league’s all-time goalscoring record.

The Pride have yet to lose a game this season and are unbeaten in 20 games dating back to last year. Orlando continued that streak last weekend with a 1-0 road win over the Chicago Red Stars. Striker Marta scored the Pride’s only goal of the game with a long-range shot in the 37th minute. Orlando has already secured a spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, becoming the first team in the league to do so.

RENEWED RIVALRY
Friday’s game is the highly anticipated rematch between Kansas City and Orlando after a thrilling first game of the regular season on July 6 at CPKC Stadium. Both teams entered the game undefeated, with the Pride winning 2-1. A penalty kick converted by Marta in the 63rd minute was the deciding factor.

The game was hard fought, with a total of 29 fouls and seven yellow cards on both sides. Orlando was reduced to ten players in the first half after Pride defender Carrie Lawrence received her second yellow card of the game.

On the Currents side, the roster has gone through a few changes since the teams first met in July. Cook and Sharples were brought in to reinforce the defense, along with Schult in goal. In addition, the Currents have added midfielder Jereko and striker Hildah Magaia, who have proven to be energetic attacking partners off the bench. Striker Bia Zaneratto, who did not play in Kansas City’s first meeting with Orlando, returned to the field in the 72nd minute against Utah last weekend and will be available again on Friday in Orlando.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga –– Not only is Chawinga having one of the most impressive debut seasons in NWSL history, but she is on pace to have the most successful offensive season in league history. Chawinga is only the fifth player in NWSL history to score 15 goals in a single NWSL season, and the first to do so since 2022. Chawinga is within striking distance of the NWSL record for goals in a season (18). She also has six assists, which is the second-most in the league.

Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda –– Orlando forward Barbra Banda has been neck and neck with Chawinga for the NWSL Golden Boot throughout the regular season, but is three goals behind Chawinga’s league-leading goal total heading into Friday’s game. To her credit, Banda is second in the NWSL with 12 goals this season. Banda opened the scoring in the July match between Current and Pride with a goal in the 38th minute.

MILESTONE FOR THE CAPTAIN
The Kansas City captain made history over the weekend, as Saturday’s win over Utah marked LaBonta’s 150th NWSL regular season appearance. She made 73 of those appearances as a member of the Current, which is the franchise record for most regular season appearances.

LaBonta joined an extremely exclusive club by reaching last weekend’s milestone. LaBonta is one of only 30 NWSL players to reach 150 career appearances, and she is the first player to do so while playing for the Current. LaBonta surpassed 10,000 minutes played in the NWSL on May 12 against the North Carolina Courage.

Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo has also made more than 150 NWSL regular season appearances, although she was playing for the Chicago Red Stars at the time of her milestone.

PLAYOFFS?
With just seven games left in the NWSL regular season, the picture of the 2024 playoffs is starting to take shape. The Current have a chance to secure a postseason spot this week, but three different things have to happen for that to happen.

First Kansas City must beat Orlando on Friday night. Then either North Carolina Courage must win/tie Bay FC on Saturday OR NJ/NY Gotham must beat or tie Seattle Reign on Monday PLUS Chicago must win or tie at Portland Thorns on Friday night or Racing Louisville must win/tie Angel City on Saturday.

The top eight clubs in the final NWSL standings advance to the postseason, with the top four clubs guaranteed to host at least one game in the quarterfinals. Even if that doesn’t happen this weekend, Kansas City is within striking distance of securing the second postseason appearance in franchise history.

A DIFFICULT ROAD AHEAD OF US
Friday’s game is perhaps the most difficult part of the Currents’ schedule. Kansas City enters the weekend third in the NWSL standings, and the club’s next three games are against the other three clubs around the Currents in the standings. After visiting first-place Orlando on Friday, Kansas City hosts second-place Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on September 20.

To close out the series, Kansas City will host fourth-place NJ/NY Gotham FC at CPKC Stadium on September 28. All four teams are considered major postseason contenders, and the Currents will have plenty of opportunities to compete against the league’s best teams in September.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
OUT OF: Alex Pfeiffer (SEI knee), Gabrielle Robinson (SEI knee), Mallory Weber (SEI – knee)
QUESTIONABLE: Michelle Cooper (ankle)
INTERNATIONAL: Claire Hutton (USA)