Kansas City Current II Wins 2026 WPSL Championship

KANSAS CITY (July 19, 2026) – Kansas City Current II won the 2026 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) championship on Sunday night at Riverside Stadium in Riverside, Mo., in the team’s first-ever WPSL Championship final appearance. Current II defeated California Storm, 2-0, on Saturday in the semifinals before posting a 1-0 win over New York Athletic Club on Sunday to secure the WPSL crown.

Forward Avery Clark was named the WPSL Most Outstanding Player and defender Naila Schoefberger was selected as the WPSL Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Clark scored a team-high 16 goals this season, including what proved to be the game-winner in the final. Schoefberger anchored a backline that recorded nine shutouts on the year, allowed just seven goals all season and did not concede during the postseason.

“It’s all about the players. I want to give them all the props, because without them, none of us would be here,” said KC Current II head coach Vasil Ristov. “The championship was in our facility, and the WPSL did a great job at putting this event together. For us, winning the title means a lot. It’s a big step and I hope more teams see the success that we have had and invest in the women’s game to give more young women the opportunity to play.”

In its first competitive WPSL season since 2022 and second WPSL season overall, Kansas City also captured the Heartland Division, Midwest Conference Championship and Central Regional Championship en route to its WPSL Championship. KC Current II became the second team from the state of Missouri to win the WPSL Championship in the league’s 29-year history.

“Winning the WPSL Championship is always going to be so much fun, and seeing how hard our team worked to earn this is a great feeling,” said KC Current II defender and captain Itala Gemelli. “This team is so special because we have a mix of so many different players. KC Current II is a new team and we’ve worked really hard, and I want everyone to remember the hard work we put into this. Every minute we’ve enjoyed it and had fun.”

SEMIFINAL VS. CALIFORNIA STORM

KC Current II topped five-time WPSL champion California Storm, 2-0, in Saturday’s semifinal to punch its ticket to the final. The home team got on the board just 18 seconds into the match when the opening kickoff was played back to defender Naila Schoefberger, who blasted the ball deep towards goal. Storm keeper Abbie Faingold misplayed the ball, allowing Current II forward Caroline Kelly to capitalize on the failed clearance and send a right-footed strike past Faingold to give Kansas City an early 1-0 lead. 

Coming out of the halftime break, Current II quickly doubled its lead with an insurance goal in the 46th minute when forward Avery Clark headed the ball in past Faingold after connecting on the end of a cross from midfielder Chloe Guenther. Kansas City then formed a tight defensive shell despite California pushing numbers forward. The Storm finished with 17 shots and 10 on target, but Current II netminder Evie Vitali came up big with 10 saves to preserve the shutout. 

FINAL VS. NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB

KC Current II dominated possession from the opening whistle and ultimately found their breakthrough in the 38th minute. Forward/midfielder Ally Henry sent in a perfectly placed corner kick that found forward Avery Clark inside the box, and Clark drove in a header that landed in the upper right corner. Kansas City, whose defensive unit held New York without a shot in the first half, entered the break with a one-goal advantage.

The hosts continued to display lockdown defense throughout the second frame while searching for another goal. Midfielder Khari Hontz, who recently returned from a training camp in Japan with the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team fired off two good looks, the first which ricocheted off the crossbar and the second that forced a diving save from New York goalkeeper Sydney Romano. A late attempt from NYAC in the 90th minute bounced off the woodwork as Current II held on for the 1-0 victory.

More information about the WPSL can be found HERE.

Kansas City Current II returns to Riverside Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 2, to host Carolina Ascent FC of the Gainbridge Super League. Kickoff time is still to be determined, and the match will stream on the KC Current App. Ticket information can be found HERE.