KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Current are headed east for an NWSL semifinal against Gotham FC next Sunday, setting up a playoff rematch with the club that ended Kansas City’s run a year ago.
Kansas City earned the trip with a 1-0 home win over Angel City FC in Saturday’s quarterfinal at CPKC Stadium. Gotham, the defending league champion, reached the final four for a fourth straight season by beating Seattle Reign FC 1-0, with an own goal in the first four minutes making the difference.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Eastern, which is 2 p.m. in Kansas City, on Gotham’s home field. Gotham said venue and ticket details would be announced Monday. Whoever survives plays for the 2026 league title at Audi Field on Nov. 21.
The history gives the matchup an edge for Current supporters. In the 2025 quarterfinals, eighth-seeded Gotham won at CPKC Stadium, a result no eighth seed had ever managed against a top seed in the league’s postseason. The winner came at the 120:26 mark, the latest game-winning goal in NWSL playoff play, and Gotham went on to lift the trophy, its second championship in three seasons, as the lowest seed left in the bracket.
Inside the Kansas City locker room, the focus this week is on rest and recovery before the trip. Midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta said the season brought plenty of highs and lows and the club had to fight to reach the playoffs, while midfielder Croix Bethune said the work now is getting ready for the next match. Gotham has the experience edge, with four straight semifinal appearances, but Kansas City arrives with a clean sheet from its own quarterfinal.
Fans who stay home will have a place to gather. The Current plan a watch party at Current Landing, and the city’s first women’s sports bar expects a packed room for the game.
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