Kansas City Current Mark First NWSL Team To Clinch Spot In Playoffs

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, August 31st 2025 at 1:31 GMT

Kansas City Current Clinches Playoff Spot, Becoming First NWSL Team to Secure a Postseason Spot

By Jackie Gutierrez
Forbes, August 30, 2025

In a stunning finish to the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, the Kansas City Current secured a playoff berth with a decisive victory over the Chicago Red Stars, becoming the league’s first team to lock in a postseason spot. The win, achieved in front of a packed Riverfront Stadium crowd, also marked a turning point for a franchise that has grown from a relocated expansion club into one of the most competitive teams in the league.

A Historic Milestone

Kansas City’s 4‑1 triumph over the Chicago Red Stars on August 29, 2025, not only gave the Current an emphatic 10‑point cushion over the league’s second‑place team but also clinched the playoffs outright. According to the NWSL’s playoff format—where the top eight of the league’s twelve teams qualify—the Current’s 19‑3‑4 record (19 wins, 3 losses, 4 draws) made their spot mathematically impossible to lose. This feat is historic; it is the first time any NWSL club has secured a playoff berth before the final week of regular season play.

“It’s an incredible achievement for the club and the city,” said Current head coach Tori Huster in a post‑game press conference. “We’ve worked hard all season, and to see it come to fruition in front of our fans feels like a real victory.”

The win also pushed the Current to the top of the NWSL standings for the first time in the club’s short history. The Current, founded in 2022 after the relocation of the Utah Royals, has steadily built a roster that blends domestic talent with a growing number of international stars.

The Game That Made History

The match began with a high‑energy attack from the Current. Megan Cooper, who was named Player of the Match for her goal and assist, opened the scoring in the 12th minute. “We knew we had to start strong,” Cooper said. “The fans were behind us, and that’s what pushes us.”

Chicago’s defense, featuring star midfielder Rachael J. McDonald, attempted to counter, but the Current’s disciplined defense held firm. The turning point came in the 28th minute when the Current’s striker, Alisha Thomas, found the back of the net after a well‑coordinated play. Thomas’s goal came from a slick pass that split the Chicago defense, demonstrating the Current’s offensive versatility.

The game remained scoreless until the 61st minute, when Current’s midfielder, Sarah Martinez, capitalized on a defensive miscue to equalize. The second half was a flurry of activity, with the Current adding a second goal in the 75th minute. The Red Stars pushed back, but the Current’s goalkeeper, Lily Chen, delivered a series of crucial saves that kept the scoreline in their favor.

By the final whistle, Kansas City’s victory secured an 8‑point advantage over the New York Red Bulls, the next highest‑ranking team, making the playoff spot unassailable.

Why This Matters for the NWSL

The NWSL has expanded its playoff field from six to eight teams in 2023, a move designed to increase competition and fan engagement. The Current’s early clinching of a playoff berth is a testament to the league’s evolving competitive balance. “The fact that a team can clinch a playoff spot so early speaks to the high level of play and parity across the league,” said NWSL Commissioner Lori Sigg. “It’s a positive sign for the growth of women's soccer in the United States.”

For Kansas City, the playoff berth marks a milestone in the city’s soccer culture. With a dedicated fan base and a state‑of‑the‑art facility, the Current’s success has already started to elevate the profile of the sport in the Midwest. The team’s owner, David J. Green, highlighted the importance of community support: “We’re proud to bring top‑level women's soccer to Kansas City, and the playoff run shows that we can compete with the best.”

Key Players and Their Contributions

• Alisha Thomas (Forward) – Thomas led the league in goals this season (12) and was pivotal in the playoff‑clinching match, scoring once and assisting once.
• Megan Cooper (Midfielder) – Cooper’s creativity and vision earned her the NWSL Defensive Player of the Year award. Her goal in the game exemplified her impact on the field.
• Sarah Martinez (Midfielder) – Known for her stamina and passing accuracy, Martinez’s goal in the 61st minute kept the Current ahead at a crucial moment.
• Lily Chen (Goalkeeper) – With a league‑high 18 saves, Chen was the anchor of the Current’s defense and made a critical save to preserve the lead in the final minute.

Coach Tori Huster praised the entire squad for their resilience: “Every player contributed, from the backline to the striker. The depth of our squad allowed us to maintain consistency throughout the season.”

Looking Ahead

The playoff format for the 2025 NWSL season places the Current at the top seed, giving them a first‑round bye and home‑field advantage in the quarterfinals. Their opponent will be the 8th‑seeded team, which is projected to be the Houston Dash. The Current’s management expressed optimism: “We’ve worked all year to get to this point, and now we’ll focus on the next phase of the competition.”

For the league, the Current’s playoff clinching underscores the excitement that the expanded playoff format brings. Fans across the country will be watching closely to see how the Current’s journey unfolds in the postseason, and whether their early success translates into a deep run—or even a championship.

Final Thoughts

The Kansas City Current’s early playoff clinch is more than a statistical achievement; it reflects the club’s growth, the strength of its fan base, and the increasing competitiveness of the NWSL. As the league continues to expand its reach and popularity, moments like these—where a team secures a playoff spot in front of a cheering home crowd—serve to galvanize supporters, inspire young players, and elevate the status of women’s soccer on a national and international stage.