If you’ve been watching the NWSL lately, you know things are getting weird. In a good way. The KC Current vs Washington Spirit matchup used to be just another game on the calendar, but honestly? It’s turned into the league's most tactical, frustrating, and high-octane chess match.
Last season was a fever dream for Kansas City. They didn't just win; they steamrolled. By September 2025, Vlatko Andonovski’s squad became the fastest team in NWSL history to hit 50 points. That’s insane. They did it in 20 matches.
But then there's the Spirit.
Washington is that team that refuses to go away. They are the defensive wall that finally figured out how to slow down the Temwa Chawinga train. People keep talking about this like it's a simple offensive-powerhouse-versus-defensive-grinder story. It isn't. It’s way more complicated than that.
The 2025 Reality Check
Most fans remember the March 2025 meeting. The Current went into Audi Field and basically threw a bucket of cold water on the D.C. crowd. A 2-0 win. Lo’eau LaBonta did her thing with a penalty, and Chawinga added a stoppage-time goal that felt like a dagger.
But look closer at the September rematch.
That 0-0 draw at CPKC Stadium was actually more significant. Why? Because Aubrey Kingsbury became the first keeper in NWSL history to record a regular-season shutout against every single active club. She locked the door. The Current had been scoring on everyone, and suddenly, they couldn't find a gap.
Kansas City’s defense was equally ridiculous. They went 722 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal during that stretch. That’s over 12 hours of soccer without letting a ball hit the net.
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Why the 2026 Season Changes Everything
We’re heading into a weird transitional period for both squads. As of January 2026, the roster updates are... well, they're a bit depressing if you're a KC fan.
- Temwa Chawinga is on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list.
- Michelle Cooper is also out with a foot injury.
- Alana Cook is still recovering from that brutal ACL/MCL tear from May 2025.
- Vanessa DiBernardo is still on maternity leave.
Basically, the "Big Three" of the KC attack is currently sidelined. This isn't the same team that won the 2025 NWSL Shield.
Washington isn't exactly the same either. They’ve parted ways with some familiar faces like Brittany Ratcliffe and Courtney Brown. But they still have Trinity Rodman. They still have the reigning Defender of the Year, Tara Rudd (you probably know her as Tara McKeown, but she’s playing under her married name now).
Breaking Down the "Boring" 0-0 Draw
People hate scoreless draws. I get it. But the last KC Current vs Washington Spirit game was a masterclass in positioning.
The Spirit played a low block that would make a bank vault look flimsy. Hal Hershfelt was everywhere in that midfield. She’s kind of a chaos agent—picking up yellow cards but also disrupting every single transition the Current tried to build.
KC’s Lorena had to make a massive save against Rosemonde Kouassi in the 79th minute just to keep the point. If you think the Current are just an "all-attack" team, you weren't watching Lorena. She finished 2025 with 11 shutouts.
Head-to-Head: The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Do Confuse)
If you look at the all-time series, the Spirit actually lead 5-4-1.
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Wait. How?
Because before 2024, Washington used to bully Kansas City. In August 2024, they beat the Current 4-1 at Audi Field. That was the "Leicy Santos game" where she scored and assisted in her debut. Since then, however, the momentum shifted hard.
KC won the next few meetings by a combined score of 5-0 before that 0-0 stalemate. The Current have actually kept clean sheets in all four of their recent wins against the Spirit.
Tactical Nuance: The Fullback Battle
Watch the wings. In 2026, the battle between Ellie Bravo-Young (formerly Wheeler) and Washington’s Gabby Carle is where these games are won.
Carle is a machine. She’s one of the best 1v1 defenders in the league, and she has to be, because KC loves to overlap. With Chawinga out, the Current are going to rely way more on Debinha and Ally Sentnor to create magic in the half-spaces.
Washington’s strategy is basically:
- Let the Current have the ball.
- Wait for a turnover.
- Launch a ball to Trinity Rodman.
- Hope for the best.
It sounds simple, but it’s remarkably effective against a high-pressing team like Kansas City.
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The CPKC Stadium Factor
You can't talk about KC Current vs Washington Spirit without mentioning the stadium. CPKC is the first purpose-built stadium for women’s pro sports. It’s small (11,500), it’s loud, and the pitch is basically a carpet.
KC is nearly unbeatable there. They went 16-1-4 at home in the 2025 regular season. When the Spirit travel to Missouri, they aren't just playing against 11 players; they’re playing against a crowd that is literally on top of them.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on the next game or just trying to sound smart at the pub, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Injury Report: If Chawinga isn't back, KC's goal production drops by nearly 40%. They become a "death by a thousand passes" team rather than a "sprint and score" team.
- The First 15 Minutes: Washington leads the league in goals scored in the first 15 minutes. They like to punch teams in the mouth early.
- The "LaBonta" Factor: Lo’eau is the heartbeat of KC. If she’s getting frustrated by the Spirit's physical midfield (looking at you, Hershfelt), the Current lose their rhythm.
The dynamic has shifted from a blowout rivalry to a tactical stalemate. In 2026, the KC Current vs Washington Spirit match isn't about who has the better stars; it's about which coach can solve the injury puzzle first. Vlatko Andonovski has a lot of holes to fill, and the Spirit are exactly the kind of team that loves to exploit a missing piece.
The next time these two meet, don't expect a 4-goal thriller. Expect a 1-0 grind where a single mistake by a backup defender decides the Shield race. That's the beauty of the NWSL right now. It's punishing. It's fast. And honestly, it's completely unpredictable.
Check the current 2026 NWSL standings to see if Washington has managed to leapfrog the Current while KC manages their injury crisis. Keep an eye on the preseason form of Gianna Paul and Amelia White; they’re the new kids KC is counting on to replace the missing firepower.