Kansas City Current Faces Washington Spirit in First Road Test

KANSAS CITY (March 21, 2025) — The Kansas City Current (1-0-0, 3 pts., 2nd place) embarks on its first away game of the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Regular Season. This weekend, Kansas City will challenge a fellow 2024 NWSL semifinalist, the Washington Spirit (1-0-0, 3pts., 3rd place), in the Spirit’s home opener at Audi Field on Saturday night. The highly anticipated match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on ION, featuring JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden providing expert commentary. Locally, fans can tune in to the simulcast on KMCI, 38 the Spot. Additionally, 90.9 The Bridge and the KC Current App offer live audio coverage in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, with Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll Letrinko calling the action.

The Current commenced the 2025 season triumphantly, defeating the Portland Thorns 3-1 last Saturday in front of another sellout crowd at the impressive CPKC Stadium. Temwa Chawinga, the 2024 NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner, swiftly opened her account for the 2025 season, propelling the Current ahead in the fourth minute with a clinical breakaway finish. Forward Michelle Cooper secured what would ultimately be the game-winning goal in the 24th minute with a spectacular strike from distance. Midfielder Debinha added the Current’s third and final goal in the 38th minute, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess.

Kansas City’s season-opening victory also marked the NWSL debut of goalkeeper Lorena. The match further witnessed forward Haley Hopkins and midfielder Rocky Rodríguez making their respective Kansas City Current debuts. Notably, midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo achieved a significant milestone, becoming the 12th player in NWSL history to reach 15,000 minutes played, achieving this feat in the 27th minute of last weekend’s match. This underlines her enduring contribution to the league and her consistent presence on the field. She is known with her experience and passing accuracy.

Spirit’s Strong Start to 2025

The Washington Spirit, alongside the Current, were among the few NWSL clubs to secure a victory in their opening match. The Spirit triumphed 2-1 over the Houston Dash last Friday in Houston. Forward Makenna Morris capitalized on a rebound to put the Spirit ahead in the 16th minute. Forward Ashley Hatch further extended Washington’s lead in the 33rd minute, pouncing on another rebound opportunity after a strike from fellow forward Chloe Ricketts hit the crossbar. Hatch calmly slotted the ball into an empty net.

Although Houston managed to pull a goal back in the 75th minute, Washington ultimately secured a hard-fought one-goal victory. This demonstrated their resilience and ability to close out games. Before the commencement of the 2025 regular season, the Spirit clinched the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup, overcoming the Orlando Pride in a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship. This victory showcased their early-season form and championship aspirations.

Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos delivered a stunning free-kick in the 72nd minute to equalize the contest, ultimately leading to a penalty shootout with the score tied at 1-1. The Spirit emerged victorious in the shootout, prevailing 4-2, marking the club’s second trophy in its history. The match is a great start of Washington Spirit in this season. This added another layer of accomplishment to their already impressive resume.

Only Matchup of Week 2 Between Opening Day Winners

It’s noteworthy that Saturday’s clash between the Spirit and the Current is the only NWSL matchup of the weekend featuring teams that both won their opening contests. The Current, Spirit, and Orlando Pride are the only undefeated teams (1-0-0) in the NWSL heading into Matchday 2. This sets the stage for a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to maintain their perfect records early in the season. Both team will fight to get point for the top of the standings.

Teal Town Debut

Saturday’s match will also be a historic occasion for the Current, as the team will debut its “Teal Town” kits. A significant addition for the 2025 season, these full-teal kits pay homage to Kansas City, solidifying Teal as a signature color in the football world. The Current’s new secondary kit features a comprehensive spread of teal from shoulders to socks, reflecting the club, the city, and the fans’ unwavering passion.

The vibrant teal tones and the grid of Kansas City prominently displayed on the front of the jersey represent the people and community who form the bedrock of the club’s support. The KC Current crest, positioned above the players’ hearts, is strategically placed on the map where CPKC Stadium resides in Kansas City, Mo., along the Missouri Riverfront. This unique design ensures that the Current always carries Kansas City with them, even when playing away from home, creating a strong sense of identity and connection.

The 2025 Teal Town replica kits are currently available for purchase in Unisex, Women’s, and Youth sizes. All player and customized kits can be acquired at the Kansas City Current Team Store at CPKC Stadium and online at teamstore.kansascitycurrent.com, providing fans with ample opportunities to showcase their support. This provides fans everywhere with an opportunity to get in and show support.

KC’s Historic March Performance

The Current and Spirit shared their regular-season meetings in 2024, with each team securing a convincing three-goal victory. Washington earned a 4-1 win over the Current last August at Audi Field, while the Current retaliated with a 3-0 victory at CPKC Stadium last September. These results highlight the competitive balance between the two sides and set the stage for an intriguing encounter.

Historically, the first month of the NWSL regular season has been exceptionally fruitful for the Current. Kansas City has participated in five NWSL regular-season matches in March, boasting an impressive 4-1-0 record. This 80% winning percentage is the highest achieved by any NWSL team in a single month (with a minimum of five games played). The Current are currently riding a four-game winning streak in March, a streak that commenced in 2024, demonstrating their consistent early-season form.

Players to Watch

Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha: Debinha spearheaded the Current’s offensive charge last weekend against the Thorns, achieving only her second career NWSL regular-season match with both a goal and an assist. What a great player she is. She orchestrated Chawinga’s season-opening goal in the fourth minute with a perfectly weighted through ball, which Chawinga expertly converted.

In the 38th minute, Debinha’s individual brilliance extended the Current’s lead to 3-0. She initiated the move by winning the ball in the attacking third and playing forward Michelle Cooper through on goal down the right wing. Cooper’s cross across Portland’s penalty area was initially met by the Thorns’ goalkeeper, but the ball rebounded to Debinha, who was perfectly positioned to fire it into the back of the net.

Debinha was one of only two NWSL players to record both a goal and an assist in their teams’ opening match of the season, highlighting her exceptional performance. The goal also marked Debinha’s 48th career NWSL regular-season goal, elevating her to a tie with Sydney Leroux and Christen Press for eighth place on the NWSL all-time regular-season scoring list.

Washington Spirit defender Rebeca Bernal: A key offseason acquisition for Washington, defender Rebeca Bernal joined the Spirit on a three-year contract following a distinguished career in Liga MX Femenil with Monterrey. Bernal made her NWSL regular-season debut last Friday against the Dash, anchoring the Spirit’s backline in their 2-1 victory. She made her debut with Washington in 2025.

She had debuted for Washington in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup, providing a crucial spark in the final 30 minutes of regulation as the Spirit leveled the contest against Orlando and forced a penalty shootout. Bernal confidently converted her spot-kick as the Spirit ultimately triumphed. Successfully navigating Bernal and the Washington defense will be crucial if the Current are to secure a positive outcome at Audi Field.

History for Hopkins

Kansas City Current forward Haley Hopkins was elected as the new president of the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), as announced by the NWSLPA on Thursday morning. Hopkins succeeds Tori Huster, who transitions to a deputy executive director role alongside executive director Meghann Burke. This change in leadership marks a new chapter for the NWSLPA.

Huster had served in the role since January 2020, and Hopkins becomes the fourth NWSLPA President in the organization’s history, demonstrating the continued growth and evolution of player representation. Hopkins is the first NWSLPA President in Kansas City Current history and will be primarily responsible for making governing decisions on behalf of all NWSL players, signifying a significant milestone for both Hopkins and the Current organization.

Hopkins previously served as an NWSLPA player representative, one of two elected by each NWSL team, with the North Carolina Courage, gaining valuable experience that will inform her leadership. This experience makes her an excellent choice for this role.Limited single-match tickets for 2025 regular season home matches are Now on sale to the general public and available.

Kansas City Current Looking and Aiming For a Great Season

The Kansas City Current have put behind them the opening day victory and celebration. Now their focus is to get a victory for the away game. Preparing with maximum training and strategy, all players must be in top condition to win this match. With a series of positive achievements in March, the Current are highly motivated to continue the positive trend away from home. A victory will provide a significant boost, particularly as they lead the standings.

With her playing experience, Denhiba is expected to become a mainstay player for the Current to achieve victory. Support from other players such as Chawinga and Cooper also influenced the course of the match to achieve the expected result. Playing compactly in defense and maximizing counter-attacks could be a strategy implemented by the Current. This opportunity for the team always has a good record when playing in March. The Current would appear to be aiming to extend that record

On the other hand, the Washington Spirit, with their impressive victory in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup, have shown great form. They also has some good core players for this season. The current will have to work hard to win. The Current must give all their best abilities in this match to continue their fantastic start. Hopefully, it will also create a good career for the players.

The match between Washington Spirit and the Current preidicted should be amazing. Both teams are in good form and high motivation. Kansas City Current ambitious to get their first away win in this match, and of course, to continue the winning record. The Current will take home the three points to Kansas.