Angel City FC Falls To Kansas City Current in NWSL Quarterfinal Match

KANSAS CITY (Nov. 7, 2026) - Angel City Football Club (ACFC) pushed the Kansas City Current to extra time in the quarterfinals of the 2026 NWSL Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, but a penalty kick proved decisive in a 1-0 loss at CPKC Stadium.

In the club’s second-ever postseason appearance, Angel City went toe-to-toe with Kansas City in a matchup between two of the league’s highest-scoring teams. After 90 minutes of scoreless play, Kansas City’s Michelle Cooper converted from the penalty spot in extra time after a VAR call awarded the penalty to the home side.

“We saw some tremendously good performances by some of our players as a team, as a unit,” said Interim Head Coach Leif Smeurd. “We knew [Kansas City] was a good team, but we came here with no fear.  Of course, some challenging moments…to lose on a penalty like that, seems harsh, and I feel for the players a lot, but I'm very proud of the team.”

Angel City created early chances, as Ary Borges sent a strike from outside the box toward the center of the goal in the 25th minute to test Kansas City’s goalkeeper. Savy King made several stops inside the box, while goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made first-half saves on Michelle Cooper and Temwa Chawinga. The sides continued to trade chances through the remainder of the first half, but neither found the breakthrough before halftime.

Kansas City tested Anderson after the break, as the Angel City netminder made a save on Croix Bethune in the 48th minute and another stop in the 60th minute following a free kick. Angel City remained organized defensively, with Sarah Gorden and Emily Sams helping contain the Current’s attacking threats.

The match remained scoreless through stoppage time, with Sams blocking a close-range Chawinga attempt in the 91st minute. Niehues nearly found the breakthrough in the 97th minute, but the attempt narrowly missed to the left. After 90 minutes, the teams remained level at 0-0, sending the quarterfinal into extra time.

Kansas City broke through in the 96th minute after a penalty was awarded in the box. Cooper converted from the spot, sending her attempt into the bottom-left corner to give the Current a 1-0 lead.

Angel City continued to search for an equalizer. Sveindís Jónsdóttir came close in the 106th minute with a shot from the right side of the box that narrowly missed the target. Niehues had another opportunity in the 115th minute, but Lorena made the save to preserve Kansas City’s lead as the Current held on for the 1-0 victory.

The result brings Angel City’s 2026 season to a close following a late-season turnaround that saw the club reach record-breaking heights, setting new club highs in goals, clean sheets, and wins. Angel City finished the regular season unbeaten in 10 consecutive matches and returned to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

“I'm really proud of the entire team, from the goalkeeper to how we defended, how we were in our one-v-one battles, how we were as a backline, how they pressed. We had a game plan, and we stuck to that game plan defensively,” Gorden said.

“We found a new level this year, not only physically, but mentally. I’m proud of what the group has accomplished. I said going into the playoffs that just making it wasn’t enough, so I am beyond disappointed because I think we are better and worth more than that result.”