Kansas City Current Clinch First NWSL Shield in Historic Season
Kansas City Current has secured the 2025 NWSL Shield, marking the first regular season championship in the club’s history and a momentous occasion for soccer in Kansas. The team mathematically clinched the title on the twenty-first day of the NWSL season, solidifying their position as the league’s top team.
A Decade Since Last Trophy: History Repeating Itself
This victory is particularly significant as it brings a major trophy back to Kansas for the first time in ten years. Previously, Kansas City FC, the predecessor to the Current, won back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2014 and 2015 after successes in 2013 and 2017. Remarkably, the coach who led the team to those championships, Vlatko Andonovski, is at the helm once again, guiding the newly founded Kansas City Current – established in 2021 – to NWSL Shield glory.
Current Join Elite Company with Shield Win
With this achievement, Kansas City Current becomes the seventh team to win the NWSL Shield, joining a prestigious group that includes North Carolina Courage (3 titles), Seattle Reign (3 titles), Portland Thorns (2 titles), Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave, and Western New York Flash (1 title). The New York team secured the inaugural Shield in 2013.
Weekend Results Shape the NWSL Landscape
The Current’s path to the Shield was punctuated by a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Reign, fueled by goals from Debinha – a penalty in the 34th minute – and Temwa Chawinga in the 74th minute. Other key results from the weekend included:
- A hard-fought 2-2 draw between the Washington Spirit and Angel City, featuring goals from Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune for the Spirit, and Evelyn Shores and an own goal from Tara McKeown for Angel City.
- A 1-0 win for the Houston Dash against the Chicago Stars, thanks to a 28th-minute goal from Yazmeen Ryan, who later missed a penalty.
- A 3-2 victory for Utah Royals over Racing Louisville, with Mina Tanaka, Janni Thomsen, and Cloe Lacasse scoring for the Royals, and Emma Sears and Janine Backie responding for Louisville.
- A 1-1 draw between Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave, with Savannah McCaskill and Reyna Reyes finding the back of the net.
- A 1-1 draw between Bay FC and Gotham, with Rose Lavelle and Racheal Kundananji scoring for their respective teams.
- A 1-0 win for North Carolina Courage against Orlando Pride, decided by a late goal from Shinomi Koyama in the 89th minute.
NWSL Standings Reflect Current’s Dominance
The Current currently lead the NWSL with 53 points, extending their lead over second-place Washington Spirit, who have 37 points. Gotham, Portland, and San Diego are tied at 31 points, while Reign and Pride sit on 30 and 29 points respectively. The Courage follow with 28 points, and Dash and Racing are tied at 26. Angel City and Bay FC have 24 and 19 points, respectively, with Utah gaining ground on 18 and Chicago trailing with 15.
Chawinga Leads the Golden Boot Race
Temwa Chawinga has surged to the top of the NWSL scoring charts with 13 goals, surpassing Esther Gonzalez. Ludmila rounds out the top three with 10 goals.
The Kansas City Current’s triumph is a testament to their consistent performance and strategic prowess, signaling a new era of success for the club and solidifying their place among the NWSL’s elite.
