Match Report: Kansas City Current Falls 2-0 to Gotham FC in 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, pres. by e.l.f.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 26, 2026) — The Kansas City Current (7-0-5, 21 pts., 6th place) returned to the pitch on Friday night in the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f, but dropped a 2-0 decision to Gotham FC (6-2-3, 21 pts., 5th place) at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. Gotham opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 37th minute and, despite several quality scoring opportunities from the Current, added a second-half insurance goal in the 79th minute.  

“There are so many little things that we'll take from this game,” said head coach Chris Armas. “It's not often that you get to play in finals like this. And I think we're becoming the team we want to become. These decisive games, these one-offs where the margins are thin, you get better at all the little things that can win you games…We didn't play it safe. We really went after the game, and that makes me proud to sit alongside these players every single day.” 

In the 33rd title decided in NWSL history, Kansas City’s attack asked questions of Gotham’s back line with consistent pressure throughout the first 45 minutes. Midfielder Croix Bethune nearly got the scoring started in the eighth minute, forcing a turnover by the corner of the 18-yard box and driving towards goal for a one-on-one opportunity. Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger sprawled to get a foot behind Bethune’s low, curled effort, but the shot continued traveling towards goal. However, the effort ultimately skimmed off the crossbar and was cleared.

Bethune and Chawinga combined on a precise give-and-go in the attacking third in the 30th minute, with Bethune finding Chawinga with a defense-splitting through ball. Berger made a sprawling save to keep Chawinga’s goal-bound effort out, but the ensuing rebound was served in for forward Michelle Cooper at the back post, who couldn’t quite steer the volleyed effort on target.

Five minutes later, a foul in the penalty area led to Gotham taking the lead. Forward Esther González stepped up to take the spot kick, giving Gotham a one-goal advantage at the break.

Kansas City went to work searching for an equalizer as the second half began. On a second-chance opportunity following a Current set piece in the 48th minute, defender Elizabeth Ball split the defense with a pass for midfielder Bayley Feist inside the penalty area. Feist rolled a ball across goal for forward Haley Hopkins, but a Gotham defender intervened and popped the ball skyward inside the six-yard box. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta leapt to meet the loose ball inside a crowded penalty area, but she could not nod the effort on frame.

Chawinga did find the back of the net in the 64th minute, combining in the attacking third with Cooper, but Chawinga was deemed offside in the buildup by the assistant referee, and the goal was chalked off.

Gotham added its second goal in the 79th minute. In a moment of transition, Gotham forward Jordynn Dudley broke free and rolled a breakaway opportunity into the bottom left corner of the net. Gotham’s 2-0 advantage ultimately held as the final whistle sounded.

Friday’s match marked the first time that the Current and Gotham have squared up in Challenge Cup competition. It also marked both the first NWSL match and the first women’s professional soccer match played in the state of Ohio. In goal, goalkeeper Marisa Jordan made her third appearance of the 2026 season on Friday night and her first in NWSL competition.

Kansas City returns to NWSL regular season action next weekend with the club’s first-ever matchup against Denver Summit FC on Friday, July 3. The match will be played at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., and is set to kick off at 8:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. MT). NWSL+ will stream the match nationally and internationally. Fans in Kansas City can catch the match on The Spot — Kansas City 38 with Jillian Carroll Letrinko and Kylen Mills on the call and a pregame show, KC Current Matchday, beginning at 8 p.m. CT. The match will also broadcast over the air locally on 90.9 The Bridge, and an audio feed of the match will be available in English, Spanish and Portuguese on the KC Current App.

Current Landing, the waterfront mixed-use district anchored by CPKC Stadium and the Missouri River, will host a watch party for next Friday’s match. Entry will begin at 8 p.m. CT, and registration is free. Current Landing watch parties feature family-friendly activities, a festive atmosphere and world-class food and beverage offerings. Fans can visit HERE to register for next Friday’s watch party for free and HERE to learn more about international soccer watch parties at Current Landing. 

NWSL Challenge Cup Match Report  
Match: Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current  
Date: June 26, 2026  
Venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
Kickoff: 8:11 p.m. ET/7:11 p.m. CT 
Weather: 72 degrees, cloudy & drizzle  

Discipline  
52’ Gotham – Davidson (Yellow) 

Scoring  
37’ Gotham – Esther (PK)
79’ Gotham – Dudley

Scoring Summary 
                       1     2    F 

Gotham         1      1     2 

Kansas City   0    0    0 

Gotham FC Lineup: Berger, Dudley, Sonnett, Howell, Esther (62’ Lampson), Shaw, McCaskill, Davidson ©, Lavelle (87’ Schupansky), Reiten, Carter (74’ Freeman)
Unused Substitutes: Hogan, Sommer, Cook, Purce, Kitahata, Harper

Kansas City Current Lineup: Jordan, I. Rodriguez, Sharples, Ball, Rouse (82’ Bravo-Young), Feist (62’ R. Rodríguez), LaBonta ©, Bethune (62’ White), Chawinga, Cooper, Hopkins (74’ Hocking)
Unused Substitutes: Williams-Mosier, Brewer, Robinson, Scott, Suilafu