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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
The two-time reigning MVP of the National Women’s Soccer League, Temwa Chawinga, will not be available for the beginning of the Kansas City Current’s 2026 season, as confirmed by head coach Chris Armas on Friday. The timeline for her return remains uncertain.
Kansas City kicks off the season on Saturday at home against the Utah Royals.
“With Temwa, we need to be cautious in how we reintegrate her into training,” Armas mentioned to reporters. “I can tell you that she’s getting closer to being available. While she’s not ready yet, she has been seen back on the training pitch lately.”
“It’s a demanding season for these athletes, especially for someone like her who puts in so much during games. We are managing her situation carefully as she progresses.”
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Chawinga earned both the MVP and Golden Boot honors for the past two seasons. She sustained an adductor injury during her penultimate match of the 2025 regular season in October.
In 2025, Kansas City captured the NWSL Shield by a historic margin of 21 points, thanks in part to Chawinga’s 15 goals. However, she was sidelined for the Current’s quarterfinal match in November due to her injury, where the top-seeded Current were upset in extra time by No. 8 seed Gotham FC, who went on to become the champions.
At the start of preseason, Chawinga was listed on Kansas City’s season-ending injury (SEI) list; however, the NWSL allows players designated in such a way to be removed from the list at any point if they begin the year fit to play.
Armas expressed optimism about Chawinga’s impending return, though he could not provide a specific timeline.
“It’s complicated due to the nature of her injury,” Armas explained. “I wish I had a clearer answer, but the most honest approach is to say it’s a short-term issue. Whether it’s in the next month that we see her back in action remains to be seen. But it’s reassuring to know she is progressing.”
In her inaugural season in the league in 2024, Chawinga broke the single-season NWSL scoring record with 20 goals in regular-season play.
Forward Michelle Cooper was activated off Kansas City’s SEI list on Friday after recovering from lower body and foot injuries sustained at the end of the 2025 NWSL regular season, which also caused her to miss the quarterfinal against Gotham.
Cooper is “reintegrating into the team,” according to Armas.
Due to the injuries and absences, Armas has been experimenting with various attacking combinations.
Bia Zaneratto, previously Kansas City’s starting No. 9 for the past two seasons, has returned to Brazil’s Palmeiras after the offseason.
“We’ve had to adapt to life without Temwa for a while,” Armas remarked.
Last season, Cooper, Chawinga, and Zaneratto collectively scored 28 goals.
Kansas City recently acquired forward Penelope Hocking from Bay FC in a $350,000 transfer, with Armas describing Hocking as a versatile forward who can contribute significantly to the team.
Earlier this offseason, Kansas City also acquired attacking midfielder Croix Bethune in a major trade, which included transferring holding midfielder Claire Hutton to Bay FC.
On Friday, Armas also commended the adaptability of U.S. international forward Ally Sentnor, who is set to play her first full season with the Current after joining the team through a transfer last summer.