Photos: First game in CPKC Stadium thrills with a big win for the Kansas City Current
By Emily Curiel and
Tammy Ljungblad
Kansas City Current defender Ellie Wheeler (5) is mobbed by teammates after scoring a goal against the Portland Thorns during the home opener for the Current Saturday, March 16, 2024 at CPKC Stadium.
Tammy Ljungblad
tljungblad@kcstar.com
The Kansas City Current became a part of history Saturday when the NWSL team became the first to play in a stadium built and dedicated to a women’s professional sports franchise.
CPKC Stadium on the banks of the Missouri River near downtown Kansas City was opened to a sold out crowd that came to see the Current take on the Portland Thorns. Co-owners Angie and Chris Long along with co-owners Brittany and Patrick Mahomes took part in a ribbon cutting and other ceremonies to celebrate the opening of the stadium.
Fans filling the 11,500-seats at the venue saw the Current get off to a quick 3-0 lead when Vanessa DiBernardo scored near the 22 minute mark and Ellie Wheeler followed up with another goal just three minutes later. It wasn’t long after that when Current defender Bia Zaneratto added another goal.
The Thorns battled on, putting on a scoring barrage and threatened a win in overage time when they scored on the Current to bring the tally to 5-4. Kansas City held on though to notch a victory in the first game at their new home.
A view from the northwest corner of the pitch while the Kansas City Current and the Portland Thorns play at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta (10) goes for a header during the home opener against the Portland Thorns at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City.
Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton (25) controls the ball during the home opener at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current defender Elizabeth Ball (7) goes after the ball during the home opener against the Portland Thorns at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Fans cheered on the Kansas City Current as they played the Portland Thorns in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current goalkeeper Adrianna “AD” Franch (21) prevents a goal during the home opener against the Portland Thorns at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Kansas City Current celebrated after they defeated the Portland Thorns, 5-4, in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Fans cheer as the Kansas City Current defeats the Portland Thorns, 5-4, in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A Kansas City Current fan covered in teal paint and sporting a red beard cheered after the Current defeated the Portland Thorns, 5-4, in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta (10) heads the ball in the second half of the Current’s match against the Portland Thorns at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The view form the northeast corner of the pitch at the new CPKC Stadium while the Kansas City Current played the Portland Thorns during the first game at the stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski greets forward Temwa Chawinga (6) after the Current defeated the Portland Thorns, 5-4, in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo (16) clears the ball over Portland Thorns FC forward Adriana Leon (21) in the first half of an NWSL showdown at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’Ear LaBonta greets the all-woman pilots from Whiteman Air Force Base who flew the first all-female, two-ship T-38 flyover over the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current co-owner Angie Long hugs forward/midfielder Alex Pfeiffer after the Current defeated the Portland Thorns, 5-4, in the home opener at the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Actors Eric Stonestreet, right, and Anthony Hill, left with arms crossed, were on hand at the new CPKC Stadium for opening festivities and to watch the Kansas City Current take on the Portland Thorns on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton (25) cheers during opening festivities for the new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Eleven-year-old Jordyn Johnson watches as her sister and father exchange high fives after the Kansas City Current defeated the Portland Thorns FC 5-4 in the inaugural game at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Lea Kennedy gives a thumbs up as she sports a Kansas City Current-themed Hawaiian shirt after the team’s 5-4 victory over the Portland Thorns in an NWSL match at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Christopher S. Bond Bridge is seen in the distance during a NWSL game between the Kansas City Current and the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current co-owner Patrick Mahomes during opening festivities for the Kansas City Current’s new CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current co-owners Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes pass a soccer ball around on the field before the Current’s game against the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current fans hold a sign celebrating the history of playing in the first stadium built for a women’s professional sports team during the Current’s game with the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current forward Claire Lavogez (94) battles Portland Thorns defender Reyna Reyes (2) for the ball in the second half of an NWSL match at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current teammates pile on midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo (16) after she scored the first goal of the game against the Portland Thorns during the home opener for the Current Saturday, March 16, 2024 at CPKC Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current forward Bia Zaneratto celebrates after scoring on the Portland Thorns during the home opener for the Current Saturday, March 16, 2024 at CPKC Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current fans celebrate a goal by forward Bia Zaneratto in the first half during an NWSL game against the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha (99) leaps over Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Shelby Hogan (18) in an attempt to score a goal during the first half of an NWSL match against the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current teammates celebrate after defender Ellie Wheeler (5) scores a goal in the first half of an NWSL match against the Portland Thorns FC at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta (10) hugs midfielder Kristen Hamilton after Hamilton kicked in a goal against the Portland Thorns during the home opener for the Current Saturday, March 16, 2024 at CPKC Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad/file photo tljungblad@kcstar.com
Teal-clad women dance at the Kansas City Current opening festivities for the Current’s new home at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
With the Kansas City skyline in the distance, Kansas City soccer fans wait to get into CPKC Stadium to watch the Kansas City Current play the Portland Thorns in the inaugural game at the stadium on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 16, 2024 at 2:06 PM.
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