Hailey
When the Kansas City Current stepped onto the pitch against Angel City FC, nobody doubted they wanted more than just a win. They made history. In a thrilling 1-0 victory, KC set a new NWSL record for most wins in a single season.
This match was full of drama, milestones, and a moment that will go down in league lore. Let’s walk through how it all unfolded.
Match Summary: Kansas City Makes History
First Half: Stalemate and Strong Defense
Kansas City began with a partly rotated squad but stayed solid. Angel City tried to break through early:
- In the 17ᵗʰ minute, Riley Tiernan lobbed a shot from outside the box, but it went wide.
- At 33ʳᵈ minute, Jun Endo fired from the top of the penalty area. Lorena, Kansas City’s keeper, moved to her left and made a comfortable save.
- Later, Sveindis Jane Jónsdóttir struck a low shot from inside the box, but Gabrielle Robinson’s pressure turned it straight to Lorena.
- Just before halftime, Elizabeth Ball blocked a long-range effort from Tiernan, keeping the score 0–0 going into the break.
Second Half: Game-Changer Substitute
The second half brought chances for Angel City:
- In the 49ᵗʰ minute, Endo’s low shot rattled the post.
- But the moment that changed everything came in the 59ᵗʰ minute. Fresh off the bench just 20 seconds earlier, Michelle Cooper made a scramble in the box. A cross from Hailey Hopkins fed the chaos. Cooper collided with Ally Sentnor, but ended up with the ball in the net. That goal was historic—the fastest goal ever scored by a substitute in NWSL history.
- That was Cooper’s sixth goal of the regular season and Hopkins’ second assist.
Later, in the 71ˢᵗ minute, Angel City threatened again. Kennedy Fuller unleashed a low shot from inside, but Lorena stretched full-length and made a fingertip save to deny it. From there on, Kansas City’s defense held firm and the match ended 1-0 in favor of the Current.
Key Achievements & Milestones
Records Broken
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Most single-season wins in NWSL | Kansas City reached 19 regular season victories |
| Fastest goal by a substitute | Michelle Cooper scored 20 seconds after entering |
| Shutout record tied | Lorena made 4 saves and tied NWSL record with 13 shutouts |
Personal Milestones
- Lorena’s 13ᵗʰ shutout ties the all-time NWSL record.
- Lo’eau LaBonta made her 150ᵗʰ NWSL regular season start, becoming the 26ᵗʰ player in league history to hit that mark.
- It was also LaBonta’s 100ᵗʰ regular season appearance for Kansas City, making her the first KC player to reach 100 appearances for the club.
- Mary Long and Alex Pfeiffer both made their first NWSL regular season starts in this match.
Kansas City also extended its unbeaten streak to 16 matches, the second longest in franchise history.
What the Coach Said
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski summed it up well:
“We play all the way through regardless of how hard it is. We relentlessly fight defensively and attack on the other side. We believe so much in the process … if we execute everything, at some point we are going to be successful.”
That belief showed on the field.
Looking Ahead & Match Logistics
- Kansas City returns home on October 11 to host Gotham FC.
- That match is part of their annual Teal Out event, with kickoff at 4 p.m. CT.
- It will broadcast on ION, on the World Feed, and locally on KMCI (Channel 38).
- Fans can listen via 90.9 The Bridge or in English, Spanish, or Portuguese on the KC Current App.
Single-match 2025 home tickets are on sale now. For die-hard fans, the Current Club membership gives access to priority tickets, member gifts, discounts, exclusive content, and more.
Match Facts at a Glance
- Match: Angel City FC vs Kansas City Current
- Date: October 6, 2025
- Venue: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
- Kickoff: 7:38 p.m. PT / 9:38 p.m. CT
- Weather: 66°F, clear
- Attendance: 11,147
- Yellow Card: 88′ – Kansas City – Wheeler
- Scoring: 59′ – Cooper (assist Hopkins)
- Final Score: Kansas City 1 – Angel City 0
This match was more than just a single win. Kansas City Current broke NWSL records, showed grit in defense, and had a moment of pure magic from Michelle Cooper, who changed the game in just seconds.
With Lorena’s record-tying shutout and LaBonta’s personal milestones, this victory will be remembered for many reasons. The Current’s perfect blend of team spirit, talent, and belief earned them not just another win, but a place in league history.
As the season continues, this milestone game could be the spark that propels them ever higher.