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Kansas City Current

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This article is about the team founded in 2020. For the defunct team that last played in 2017, see FC Kansas City.

Kansas City Current
FoundedDecember 6, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-12-06), as Kansas City NWSL
StadiumCPKC Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
Capacity11,500
OwnersAngie Long
Chris Long
Brittany Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes
PresidentRaven Jemison
Head coach and
sporting director		Vlatko Andonovski
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
2024Regular season: 4th of 14
Playoffs: Semifinals
Websitehttps://www.kansascitycurrent.com/
Current season

The Kansas City Current are an American professional women's soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). It was founded as an expansion team in 2021. The team plays its home games at CPKC Stadium.

History

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Establishment

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See also: FC Kansas City
Lo'eau LaBonta has been a member of the team since 2016 by way of being with FC Kansas City, the Utah Royals, and Kansas City Current

The Kansas City area last had an NWSL team in 2017, when two-time champions FC Kansas City ceased operations and its player-related assets were transferred to expansion team Utah Royals FC.[1] Three years later, the Royals also had to cease operations after controversies from the team's owner Dell Loy Hansen,[2] and a Kansas City-based ownership group led by financial executives Angie and Chris Long took advantage to secure an expansion team along with the Royals' player-related assets on December 7, 2020.[3] Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a former college soccer player at University of Texas at Tyler and fitness trainer, purchased a stake in the team as well.[4] In January 2023, Patrick became a member of the ownership group as well.[5]

2021–present

[edit]

The Longs named Huw Williams, former general manager of FC Kansas City, as the team's inaugural head coach.[3] The franchise played their first season as Kansas City NWSL, playing their home matches at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas, but ended their first season in Kansas City with 16 points from 24 games, 14 of which were losses.[2]

Huw Williams was relieved of duties as manager and replaced with Matt Potter for the 2022 season, but remained with the franchise as director of soccer operations[2] until November 2022 when it was revealed he was confronted by the team's roster for disrespectful and inappropriate behavior. This came in light of the NWSL's league-wide Yates Report.[6] In May 2022, the team hired Allison Howard as its first team president.[7] Kansas City unveiled their new team branding as Kansas City Current for the 2022 season, and relocated their home matches to the nearby Children's Mercy Park, in Kansas City, Kansas. A team training facility and headquarters opened in Riverside, Missouri in June 2022,[8] and in July 2022 the ownership group announced plans for their future stadium in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.[9][10] The club made significant roster moves with the additions of Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams from the North Carolina Courage,[11][12] and Claire Lavogez from Bordeaux.[13] All three players would not finish the season on the roster due to season-ending injuries, the likes of which kept both Mewis and Williams from playing a single game in the regular season.[2][8] The Current had a 13-match unbeaten streak in the middle of their 2022 campaign,[2] propelling the team to their first playoff appearance in the 2022 NWSL Playoffs, and an eventual matchup against the Portland Thorns in the NWSL Championship.[8][14] Portland would go on to defeat Kansas City 2–0 in the matchup.

In 2023, the Current had a poor regular season showing, finishing 11th out of 12 teams, but had advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, where they lost to the tournament's eventual champion, North Carolina Courage. After three matches into the season, the team parted ways with Matt Potter as head coach and named Caroline Sjöblom as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.[15][16][17][18] In the club's final match at Children's Mercy Park, the attendance was over 15,671,[19] in what will now stand as a club record as they moved into CPKC Stadium.[20] In October 2023, the team hired former U.S. women's national team and FC Kansas City manager Vlatko Andonovski to lead the team.[21][22]

Temwa Chawinga won the Golden Boot and NWSL MVP Award in her first season with the Current.

CPKC Stadium held its first match between the Current and the Portland Thorns on March 16, 2024. Kansas City won the match 5–4 in front of a sell-out crowd. Rookie Alex Pfeiffer became NWSL's youngest goalscorer (16) in the match, and the overall goals tied a record for most in a single match in NWSL history.[23] The team's offense was bolstered by newly-signed forward Temwa Chawinga, who became the first player in NWSL history to score 20 goals in a season, and would be awarded the NWSL Golden Boot.[24][25] The Current finished the season scoring a league-record 57 goals, made by 18 different players, another NWSL record. They won two regular season trophies–the inaugural Summer Cup against NJ/NY Gotham FC and The Women's Cup against Atlético Madrid Femenino. The team lost in the semifinal round of the NWSL playoffs against the Orlando Pride.[26] Chawinga was voted NWSL's Most Valuable Player.[27] With their new purpose-built stadium, the Current became the first NWSL team to sell out every home match.[28]

Colors and crest

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The team's temporary crest for the inaugural season in 2021.

Due to the short turnaround between the team's founding and the 2021 NWSL season, the ownership announced in January 2021 that the team would play its inaugural season under the temporary name Kansas City NWSL with temporary crest and colors; a full brand development process would take place so that a permanent team name, crest, and colors will be in place for the 2022 NWSL season.[29]

On October 30, 2021, the team revealed its permanent name as Kansas City Current with a new crest for the 2022 season.[30]

Kit suppliers and sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2021 Nike Palmer Square Capital Management[31] Blue KC[32]
2022–2023 Saint Luke's Health System[33]
2024– United Way of Greater Kansas City[34]

Kit history

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2021 home
2021 away
2022–23 home
2022 away
2023 away
2024– home
2024– away

Stadium

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The franchise's 2021 home opener at Legends Field
See also: Children's Mercy Park and CPKC Stadium

Kansas City played its 2021 home matches at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.[35][36]

The club hosted all home matches at Children's Mercy Park in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.[37]

CPKC Stadium

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Main article: CPKC Stadium
CPKC Stadium in 2024

In October 2021, the club unveiled plans to construct the first purpose-built stadium built exclusively for women's professional soccer. The stadium was built in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park with a capacity of 11,500 and estimated cost of $117 million. The project was proposed to be entirely privately financed through the ownership group, with the team signing a 50-year lease for the site at which the stadium will be located.[38] The costs increased from $70 millions to an estimated $117 million in May 2022, which the club's owners attributed to construction costs and a redesign increasing the stadium's capacity from 11,000 to 11,500. Angie and Chris Long requested $6 million in tax credits from the state of Missouri to supplement their private funding, in part because the lease agreement prohibited them from pursuing any local tax incentives.[39] The stadium was completed in 2024. The first match was held on March 16, 2024, in which the Current defeated the Portland Thorns by a score of 5–4.[2]

Supporters

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The Blue Crew, a supporters group of the defunct FC Kansas City, has continued to support the new NWSL team in Kansas City.[40] Other supporter groups include Surface Tension (drumline) and The Undertow.[41][42]

Broadcasting

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See also: National Women's Soccer League § Broadcasting

On June 13, 2021, CBS affiliate KCTV agreed on a multi-year deal to become the official local television partner through the 2023 season (in addition to any matches already scheduled by CBS Sports for national broadcast). The station and its MyNetworkTV affiliate KSMO-TV will broadcast eight matches locally in the club's inaugural season. Brad Porter will serve as the play-by-play commentator, joined by Aly Trost as the color analyst.[43]

Kansas City Current II

[edit]

The Current founded an affiliated reserves team in the amateur Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in 2022.[44][45] Under head coach Huw Williams, The team finished its first regular season atop the WPSL's Heartland Division with an 8–0–0 record, +49 goal differential on 47 total goals scored (including an opponent's forfeit), second-most in the league.[46] In postseason play, the Current II defeated FC Milwaukee Torrent 7–0 on July 7, 2022, and then defeated Indios Denver FC 6–1 on July 16,[47] before falling to Colorado Rapids Women 3–2 in the Central Region finals on July 17.[48]

In November 2022, Huw Williams departed from the club.[49] The Kansas City Current II club was left off the schedule for the 2023 season, and marked as an expansion team for the WPSL 2024 season.[50][51]

Players and staff

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Current squad

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As of December 14, 2024[52]
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Almuth Schult  Germany
2 DF Regan Steigleder  United States
4 DF Hailie Mace  United States
5 DF Ellie Wheeler  United States
6 FW Temwa Chawinga  Malawi
7 DF Elizabeth Ball  United States
8 FW Nichelle Prince  Canada
9 FW Bia Zaneratto  Brazil
10 MF Lo'eau LaBonta  United States
14 MF Claire Hutton  United States
15 DF Alana Cook  United States
16 MF Vanessa DiBernardo  United States
17 FW Michelle Cooper  United States
18 DF Izzy Rodriguez  United States
20 DF Mallory Weber  United States
21 GK Adrianna Franch  United States
22 MF Bayley Feist  United States
23 GK Katie Fraine  United States
24 DF Gabrielle Robinson  United States
25 FW Kristen Hamilton  United States
27 DF Kayla Sharples  United States
33 FW Mwanalima Adam Jereko  Kenya
47 FW Alex Pfeiffer  United States
99 MF Debinha  Brazil

Out on loan

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No. Pos. Player Nation
— FW Opeyemi Ajakaye (at Carolina Ascent FC[53])  Nigeria

Technical staff

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As of May 22, 2024.[54]
General Manager Caitlin Carducci (interim)
Head Coach and Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski
Assistant Coach Freya Coombe
Assistant Coach Milan Ivanovic
Assistant Coach Lucas Rodríguez
Goalkeeping Coach Ljupčo Kmetovski
Director of Performance Garga Caserta
Head Strength Coach Joseph Potts
Performance Analyst Tara O'Brian

Notable players

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FIFA World Cup participants

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List of players that were called up for a FIFA Women's World Cup while playing for Kansas City Current. In brackets, the tournament played:

Honors

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Domestic competitions

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League championship(s): (0)

League cup(s): (1)

Records

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Year-by-year

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as of the 2024 regular season[55]

Season-by-season results
Season League Regular season Playoffs Challenge Cup Summer Cup W Champions Cup
MP W D L GF GA GD Pts Pos
2021 NWSL 24 3 7 17 15 36 −21 16 10th DNQ Group stage Not held Not held
2022 NWSL 22 10 6 6 29 29 0 36 5th Runners-up Semifinals
2023 NWSL 22 8 2 12 30 36 −6 26 11th DNQ Semifinals
2024 NWSL 26 17 5 4 57 31 +26 56 4th Semifinals DNQ Champions DNQ

Head coaches

[edit]

As of May 14, 2023.

Only competitive matches are counted. Includes NWSL regular season, playoffs, and Challenge Cup matches.

All-time Kansas City Current coaching records
Coach Nat. Tenure Games Win Loss Draw Win %
Huw Williams  Wales January 29, 2021 – November 18, 2021 28 3 17 8 010.71
Matt Potter  England January 11, 2022 – April 19, 2023 35 16 7 12 045.71
Caroline Sjöblom  Åland Islands April 19, 2023 – October 23, 2023 27 13 11 3 048.15
Vlatko Andonovski  North Macedonia October 23, 2023 – present

Attendance

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See also: National Women's Soccer League attendance

Home match largest attendance

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Top 10 as of October 14, 2024

Date Season Score Opponent Venue City Attendance Ref.
October 7, 2023 (2023-10-07) 2023 6–3 Chicago Red Stars Children's Mercy Park Kansas City, Kansas 15,671 [56]
August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18) 2023 1–0 OL Reign 13,455 [57]
May 14, 2023 (2023-05-14) 2023 0–2 San Diego Wave FC 12,969 [58]
September 1, 2023 (2023-09-01) 2023 0–1 Angel City FC 11,827 [59]
September 28, 2024 (2024-09-28) 2024 1–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC CPKC Stadium Kansas City, Missouri 11,500 [60]
September 24, 2024 (2024-09-24) 2024 3–0 Washington Spirit 11,500 [61]
September 7, 2024 (2024-09-07) 2024 1–0 Utah Royals 11,500 [62]
July 6, 2024 (2024-07-06) 2024 1–2 Orlando Pride 11,500 [63]
June 28, 2024 (2024-06-28) 2024 2–0 Houston Dash 11,500 [64]
Seven additional matches 2024 — 11,500 [65]

Regular season attendance

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Season Results Attendance
Year League Regular season Playoffs Average Largest Smallest Ref.
2021 NWSL 10th of 10 DNQ 4,861 5,438
(Oct. 10 vs. POR) 		3,449
(Oct. 13 vs. HOU) 		[66][67][68]
2022 NWSL 5th of 12 Finals 7,657 10,395
(Aug. 19 vs. ANG) 		5,695
(Jun. 11 vs. GFC) 		[69]
2023 NWSL 11th of 12 DNQ 11,353 15,671
(Oct. 7 vs. CHI) 		9,644
(Jun. 18 vs. WAS) 		[70]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Linehan, Meg (November 20, 2017). "NWSL announces that FC Kansas City will cease operations". NWSL. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kassouf, Jeff (October 28, 2022). "Inside the Kansas City Current's turnaround from last place to the NWSL Championship". Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021". NWSL. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  4. ^ "Whitehouse native Brittany Matthews part of ownership team bringing National Women's Soccer League to Kansas City". CBS19.tv. December 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "Patrick Mahomes joins NWSL's Kansas City Current ownership group". sports.yahoo.com. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  6. ^ Palmer, Tod (December 14, 2022). "NWSL report: Players allege Current ignored mistreatment by former coach Huw Williams". kshb.com. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Gregorian, Vahe (May 24, 2022). "In latest sign of ambitions, KC Current hires Los Angeles Lakers exec as president". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Bachman, Rachel (October 28, 2022). "Kansas City's Soccer Star Is a Twerking, Goal-Scoring Late Bloomer". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Cash, Meredith (June 25, 2022). "Kansas City Current's sparkling new $18 million facility shows the luxury women's pro athletes have long missed out on". Insider. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  10. ^ Medina, David (May 31, 2022). "Kansas City Current release new renderings for stadium at Berkley Riverfront". KSHB-TV. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  11. ^ Pickman, Ben (November 30, 2021). "KC Current Trades for USWNT Star Mewis". Sports Illustrated.
  12. ^ "Lynn Williams Traded to Kansas City Current". January 10, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  13. ^ Bell, Thad (July 20, 2022). "KC Current sign French attacker Claire Lavogez". The Blue Testament. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  14. ^ "NWSL Championship Preview: Portland Thorns FC vs. Kansas City Current". NWSLsoccer.com. October 27, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  15. ^ Linehan, Meg (April 19, 2023). "Kansas City Current fire coach Matt Potter 3 games into season: Why the move was made now". The Athletic. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  16. ^ "Kansas City Current add former Swedish National Team coach to technical staff" (Press release). Kansas City Current. January 25, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  17. ^ Pussinen, Peter (January 25, 2023). "Klart: Caroline Sjöblom till Kansas och USA:s högstaliga" [Done: Caroline Sjöblom to Kansas and the USA's top league]. Nya Åland (in Swedish). Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Nyblom Hardie, Clara (January 25, 2023). "Caroline Sjöblom byter F19-landslaget för NWSL" [Caroline Sjöblom changes the F19 national team for the NWSL]. Aftonbladet. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "Match Stats: Kansas City Current 6 – 3 Chicago Red Stars". ESPN. October 7, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  20. ^ Green, PJ (October 8, 2023). "KC Current break attendance record in final home match". Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Diamond, Drew (October 23, 2023). "Vlatko Andonovski new head coach Kansas City Current". Her Football Hub. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  22. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (October 20, 2023). "Sources: Kansas City Current to Hire Vlatko Andonovski as Head Coach". The Equalizer. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  23. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (March 16, 2024). "Kansas City Current open 'game-changing' stadium with 5–4 win". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  24. ^ "Kansas City Current sign Malawi international forward - Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  25. ^ NWSL (November 4, 2024). "Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Claims 2024 NWSL Golden Boot | National Women's Soccer League Official Site". NWSL. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  26. ^ Fox, Madeline (November 18, 2024). "Kansas City Current fall short of championship, but celebrate a history-making season". Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  27. ^ "Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga voted NWSL MVP Chawinga becomes first player in franchise history to earn MVP following historic 2024 season". kansascitycurrent.com. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ "To the Best Fans in the World". kansascitycurrent.com. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "NWSL's Kansas City team will remain unbranded for 2021". All for XI. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  30. ^ "Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale" (Press release). Kansas City Current. October 30, 2021.
  31. ^ "Kansas City NWSL Announces Palmer Square Capital Management As Inaugural Season Front Jersey Sponsor". April 9, 2021.
  32. ^ "Kansas City NWSL Brings In Blue KC As Sleeve Sponsor". www.sportbusiness.com. June 24, 2021.
  33. ^ "Kansas City NWSL Partners with Saint Luke's Health System – Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. September 28, 2021.
  34. ^ "Kansas City Current Announces Multi-Year Front-of-Kit Partnership with United Way of Greater Kansas City". www.kansascitycurrent.com. January 9, 2024.
  35. ^ "Ticket Information". KC NWSL. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  36. ^ Mellinger, Sam (December 8, 2020). "Inside a KC couple's vision for our city's newest pro team as women's soccer returns". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  37. ^ "Kansas City NWSL to Play 2022 Home Matches at Children's Mercy Park – Kansas City Current". www.kansascitycurrent.com. September 22, 2021.
  38. ^ "Kansas City NWSL and Port KC Finalize Plans for First NWSL Purpose-Built Stadium at Kansas City Riverfront". kcwoso.com (Press release). October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  39. ^ Calacal, Celisa (May 31, 2022). "Kansas City to ask for $6 million in state tax credits to build KC Current soccer stadium". KCUR. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  40. ^ Blue Crew [@kcbluecrew] (December 5, 2020). "Forgive the fact that its a screenshot, we didn't have a lot of time to prepare/make it fancy. But a statement from the KC Blue Crew" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Sperry, Daniel (May 4, 2022). "Fuller sound adds to rhythm of play during KC Current matches at Children's Mercy Park". Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  42. ^ "Supporters". Kansas City Current. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  43. ^ Welniak, Dani. "KCTV5 now official home of KC NWSL, will broadcast 8 matches this season". KCTV5. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  44. ^ "Current II – WPSL". Kansas City Current. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  45. ^ "The WPSL Confirms Kansas City Current II as a Competing Member for the 2022 Season" (Press release). Women's Premier Soccer League. June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  46. ^ "Kansas City Current II closes inaugural WPSL regular season on top, looks ahead to postseason play" (Press release). Kansas City Current. June 26, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  47. ^ "Kansas City Current II". Women's Premier Soccer League. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  48. ^ Mosier, Andrew (July 17, 2022). "Recap: Colorado Rapids Women Win Central Region Championship in 5-Goal Thriller". Women's Premier Soccer League. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  49. ^ Bell, Thad (December 14, 2022). "NWSL, NWSLPA joint investigation report lists 'widespread misconduct' including Kansas City". The Blue Testament. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  50. ^ "WPSL Schedule". WPSL. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  51. ^ "Teams". WPSL. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  52. ^ "Kansas City Current Players". Kansas City Current. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  53. ^ Nigerian youth international Opeyemi Ajakaye joins Carolina Ascent FC on loan from Kansas City Current – Official announcement on Carolina Ascent FC website, November 15, 2024.
  54. ^ "Team". Kansas City Current. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  55. ^ "Kansas City Current Stats, Records and History". FBref.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  56. ^ "Kansas City hit for six in front of record crowd in 6–3 win over Chicago". NWSL Soccer. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  57. ^ "Kizer header lifts Current over Reign in one-goal win". NWSL Soccer. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  58. ^ "San Diego bounces back with shutout road win against Kansas City" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  59. ^ "Spencer lifts Angel City over Kansas City in cagey road victory". NWSL Soccer. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  60. ^ "Kansas City 1-1 NJ/NY (Sep 28, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  61. ^ "Kansas City 3-0 Washington (Sep 24, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  62. ^ "Kansas City 3-0 Utah (Sep 7, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  63. ^ "Kansas City 1-2 Orlando (Jul 6, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  64. ^ "Kansas City 2-0 Houston (Jun 28, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  65. ^ All prior home matches of the 2024 Kansas City Current season, including:
  66. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site". National Women's Soccer League. October 10, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  67. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site". National Women's Soccer League. October 13, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  68. ^ "2021 NWSL attendance". soccerstadiumdigest. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  69. ^ "2022 NWSL attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  70. ^ "2023 NWSL attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
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