If you’ve spent any time watching the NWSL lately, you know that the Utah Royals vs KC Current matchup has become a bit of a psychological hurdle for the squad in Sandy. Honestly, it’s been a tough run for Utah. They have heart, but Kansas City has Temwa Chawinga. And in soccer, sometimes one transcendent athlete is all it takes to ruin your Friday night.
The most recent meeting on August 8, 2025, at America First Field was a classic example of this dynamic. Utah played their guts out. They held 56% of the possession. They outshot the league leaders. But when the dust settled, the scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of the Current.
It’s becoming a pattern.
The Temwa Chawinga Factor
You can’t talk about the Current without mentioning Chawinga. She is essentially a cheat code. In that August match, the game was deadlocked until the 82nd minute. Utah’s defense, led by Kaleigh Riehl and Kate Del Fava, had been remarkably disciplined. Then, Kayla Sharples launched a long, searching ball from midfield.
Chawinga didn’t just run for it; she hunted it.
She beat the backline, saw Mandy McGlynn coming off her line, and casually lobbed the ball into the net. It was her 10th goal of the 2025 season and her 30th career regular-season goal. To put that in perspective, she reached that milestone in 40 games. The previous record holder, the legendary Christen Press, took 51.
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That’s the difference-maker. Kansas City finds ways to win when they aren't even playing their best football.
Why Utah Royals vs KC Current Usually Ends in a Sweep
Looking at the head-to-head stats is a bit sobering if you’re a Royals fan. Kansas City has effectively swept the series over the last two years. In September 2024, it was another 1-0 win for the Current at CPKC Stadium. Back then, Chawinga was in the middle of a record-breaking eight-match scoring streak.
Utah always seems to be right there.
They aren't getting blown out. These aren't 5-0 drubbings. They are tight, cagey affairs where Utah creates chances—like Mina Tanaka’s dangerous look in the first half of the 2024 meeting—only to be denied by world-class goalkeeping. Whether it’s Almuth Schult or Lorena in net, Kansas City’s keepers have a habit of standing on their heads against Utah.
Tactical Nuance: Possession vs. Production
There is a massive misconception that the team with the ball is the team winning. In the 2025 clash, Utah had more passes, more shots on goal, and more of the ball. Yet, they couldn't find the back of the net.
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Basically, the Royals are great at the "build-up" but struggle with the "blow."
Kansas City, under Vlatko Andonovski, is perfectly comfortable playing on the counter. They invite pressure, stay compact, and then explode. It's a style that exploits the high line Utah often tries to keep. If you give a player like Bia Zaneratto or Debinha space to turn, you’re asking for trouble.
The 2026 Reality: New Faces and Big Injuries
As we look toward the 2026 season, the landscape of Utah Royals vs KC Current is shifting significantly. If you’re checking the roster updates, you’ll notice some massive names are missing.
Kansas City just confirmed that Temwa Chawinga is on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list for the start of 2026. Michelle Cooper is out, too. This changes everything. The "Chawinga Shadow" that has loomed over the Royals is gone for now.
On the Utah side, they’ve managed to retain the core of their defense. Mandy Haught is under contract through 2026, and they’ve brought back 21 players from the previous campaign. They are betting on chemistry.
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Kansas City is leaning into the draft and collegiate standouts like Gianna Paul and Laney Rouse. They’re also looking at Ally Sentnor—a player Royals fans know very well—to carry a bigger load in the midfield. It’s a transition period for the Current, and that might be exactly what Utah needs to finally break the winless streak.
What to Watch for Next Time
When these two meet again, the tactical battle will likely shift. Without Chawinga’s pure speed, KC will have to be more methodical.
- Midfield Grit: Watch the battle between Utah’s Claudia Zornoza and KC’s Lo’eau LaBonta. This is where the game will be won or lost.
- The "Sentnor" Revenge: Ally Sentnor facing her former club is always a storyline. She has the technical ability to unlock a defense that knows her every move.
- Royals' Finishing: Keep an eye on Cloé Lacasse. She’s back from her ACL recovery and looked hungry in the final minutes of the last match.
The Utah Royals vs KC Current rivalry is still young, but it’s defined by "almosts" for the Beehive State. To get over the hump, the Royals don't need more possession; they need a clinical edge.
For fans looking to stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the 2026 preseason friendlies. Kansas City is testing a lot of non-rostered invitees, while Utah is focusing on refining their existing tactical structure under Jimmy Coenraets. The next chapter of this matchup won't be about stopping one superstar—it'll be about which system can survive a roster overhaul.
Keep your notifications on for the official 2026 NWSL schedule release to see when the Royals get their next shot at redemption.