Kansas City Current secured their place in the NWSL Finals with a commanding 2-0 victory over OL Reign in Seattle, completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in league history.
First Half Dominance
The Current wasted no time establishing control, with rookie Alexis Loera finding the back of the net just four minutes into the match. The young forward fired a precise shot into the lower left corner to give Kansas City an early advantage.
OL Reign veteran Megan Rapinoe immediately looked to respond, drawing a free kick in the 5th minute, but the Current defense cleared the danger effectively. Rapinoe continued to orchestrate the Reign’s attack throughout the first half, finding Rosie LaVelle with a cross in the 20th minute, though LaVelle’s header sailed just wide of the near post.
The match took a concerning turn when Current’s C. Kizer went down with an apparent head injury and was evaluated for a concussion near the tunnel. Under the concussion substitution rule, Kizer was replaced by Bennett in the 45th minute, allowing Kansas City to maintain their full complement of players without using a regular substitution.
Both goalkeepers made crucial saves throughout the opening period, with Current’s Adrianna Franch and Reign’s goalkeeper coming up big in the 31st minute. Fishlock nearly equalized for the Reign with a long-range effort that struck the crossbar.
At halftime, goal scorer Loera reflected on the team’s preparation: “We’re very familiar with them after playing them in the regular season, and our coaching staff did a great job preparing us for this match. It doesn’t surprise me that we are leading the match at the end of the 1st half.”
Second Half Seals the Victory
The second half began with both teams trading counterattacks, but it was Kansas City who struck the decisive blow. In the 63rd minute, Hamilton doubled the Current’s advantage with a powerful shot into the lower corner from 16 yards out, giving Kansas City a commanding 2-0 lead.
Facing elimination, OL Reign made tactical adjustments, bringing on O. Van der Jagt for B. Balcer in the 68th minute. However, the Current’s defense, anchored by the impressive Loera and Franch, held firm under pressure.
The rookie sensation Loera continued her outstanding performance, making a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve the clean sheet. A brief scare occurred in the 78th minute when Franch collided with Loera but was able to continue after a quick assessment.
Kansas City managed the game expertly in the closing stages, making strategic substitutions to see out the victory. Taylor Leach replaced the impressive Loera, while Chardonnay Curran came on for Lo’eau LaBonta.
Historic Achievement
The final whistle confirmed Kansas City Current’s place in the NWSL Finals, where they will face Portland in Washington, D.C. This achievement represents an incredible journey for a franchise that has overcome significant adversity.
The team’s history includes operating as FC Kansas City until 2017, when they ceased operations and relocated to Utah as the Utah Royals. Following ownership issues in Utah in 2020, the franchise returned to Kansas City in 2021 under the ownership of Christopher Long and his wife, Angie Long, with notable investor Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and former University of Texas at Tyler soccer player.
From last place to the league finals in consecutive seasons, Kansas City Current’s remarkable transformation stands as one of the most inspiring stories in NWSL history.
The Current will now prepare for their first-ever NWSL Finals appearance, carrying the momentum of this impressive playoff run into the championship match.
🌟 WHERE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEADERS GATHER 🌟
ATHENS WOMEN’S FOOTBALL SUMMIT | September 25-26, 2025
From boardroom strategies to pitch innovations – join the conversation shaping women’s football’s future. Connect with the executives, investors, and visionaries driving sustainable growth in the sport we love.
INVEST! EMPOWER! INSPIRE! WIN!
Join the Movement: athenswfs.com
Proudly supported by Bad Dawg Sports – Your insider source for women’s football coverage
Discover more from Bad Dawg Sports - Global Sports Coverage & Analysis
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
