-
Jeff Kassouf
Sunday’s NWSL quarterfinal was anything but ordinary.
The Kansas City Current entered the match as the most dominant No. 1 seed in the league’s history, while Gotham FC, reigning Concacaf champions and 2023 league champions, was a uniquely skilled No. 8 seed in the league’s format of quarterfinals. Notably, both teams were missing their star forwards, who are also the top two scorers in the NWSL.
The outcome shocked many: Gotham’s 2-1 victory in extra time at CPKC Stadium abruptly ended the season for what many consider the best NWSL team ever.
“We’re not an eighth-place team,” declared Gotham forward Jaedyn Shaw, who contributed a goal and an assist. “We are definitely not underdogs.”
Shaw netted a goal in the 68th minute and assisted Katie Stengel’s decisive goal in the 121st minute.
Gotham will face the No. 3 seed Orlando Pride in next week’s semifinal, marking a clash between the last two league champions.
Kansas City’s defense set a league record by allowing only 13 goals over 26 regular-season matches. The Current achieved records for points (65) and victories (21), finishing 21 points ahead of the second-place Washington Spirit.
However, Kansas City was without reigning MVP and back-to-back NWSL Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga, who missed the match due to a hip injury after leading the league with 15 goals. Additionally, forward Michelle Cooper sat out with a foot injury, while Bia Zaneratto played through a leg issue for most of the match.
Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski noted that if there was any chance Chawinga could play—even for a minute—she would have been on the field, but during Saturday’s training, it became clear that risking further injury wasn’t worth it.
Gotham also played without forward Esther González, who scored 13 goals this season and has been dealing with a hip issue. Coach Juan Carlos Amoros mentioned that while she could have potentially contributed minimally, she remained on the bench bundled up against the frigid conditions.
Shaw’s goal in the 68th minute initially secured Gotham the lead, which seemed poised to hold until stoppage time. However, Current winger Ellie Wheeler scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time—the latest equalizer in NWSL playoff history—to push the game into extra time.
As a penalty shootout loomed, Shaw’s clever flick from a long free kick by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger found Stengel, who struck decisively from close range, hitting the underside of the crossbar.
Shaw’s goal highlights her resurgence at Gotham following a turbulent year marked by two trades in less than a year. She transitioned from San Diego Wave FC to North Carolina Courage in a high-profile January move, only to struggle to fit in. Gotham later acquired Shaw from North Carolina for a league-record $1.25 million.
Her arrival in September coincided with a brief revitalization for Gotham, though the team ultimately fell to the No. 8 seed after a loss to North Carolina in their regular-season finale.
On Sunday, Gotham aimed to recapture the form they displayed earlier in the season, a goal Shaw was instrumental in achieving.
“Being part of this club has been incredible,” Shaw said. “We all approached this game determined to give everything we had.”
Gotham controlled possession for nearly 70% in the first half of the match, although Kansas City had two prime opportunities.
Ally Sentnor, playing in the No. 10 position for Kansas City, forced a commendable diving save from Berger in the 17th minute. Berger again showcased her skills in the 29th minute, denying Nichelle Prince not once, but twice, on close-range shots after a counterattack led by Debinha.
A promising attack from Sentnor and Prince in the 63rd minute was thwarted by Gotham defender Emily Sonnett, who blocked Sentnor’s effort inside the box.
Despite the pressure, Gotham finished the match with 15 shot attempts and emerged victorious.
Stengel, who scored the extra-time winner, has had a varied career with multiple stints at Gotham. After returning this summer from Crystal Palace, where she played post-September 2024 transfer, she became the hero once again after scoring a decisive goal during Gotham’s journey to their first NWSL Championship last season.
Kansas City’s exit followed a disappointing semifinal loss to eventual champions Orlando Pride last season, marking another near miss for the Current to contend for a title at their home ground.
“I’ve been saying this for two years: We’re not here for just one successful season,” Andonovski stated. “We’re not about to disappear after a few good games. We’re here to stay and ensure that we make an impact every single season.”