KC Current lose at Orlando Pride, won’t play in NWSL title match at CPKC Stadium
By The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Current lost 3-2 to the top-seeded Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League playoff semifinals on Sunday afternoon at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando.
Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga right confronts several Orlando Pride defenders during an NWSL playoff semifinal soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Nathan Ray Seebeck Imagn Images
Debinha scored the game’s first goal off a quality assist from Michelle Cooper in the 33rd minute.
But the Pride answered in the 40th on Haley McCutcheon’s second goal of the postseason.
Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha celebrates her first-half goal against the Orlando Pride during an NWSL playoff semifinal soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Nathan Ray Seebeck Imagn Images
It was 1-1 at halftime in sunny Florida. On a cloudy day back home in KC, some 4,000 Current fans watched the match live at CPKC Stadium, the club’s riverfront stadium.
To the best fans in the world, thank you for joining us for the most historic season yet.
Barbra Banda and Marta put the game away for the Pride with goals in the 53rd and 82nd minutes, respectively.
Ten-year-olds Dany Elrod, left, and Emery Carpenter show off teal face paint and red glitter eyebrows during a watch party at CPKC Stadium for the semifinal match between the Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Current tried to mount a challenge in the second half, plus a whopping (and tense) 19 tense minutes of added time, but Orlando held firm defensively.
Fans wave miniature KC Current flags and cheer during a watch party at CPKC Stadium for the semifinal match against the Orlando Pride on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Vanessa DiBernardo added KC’s second goal via penalty kick in the 13th minute of extra time.
KC took more shots but Orlando (14 to 12), but the Pride put more on target (5 for Orlando vs. 2 for the Current). Possession was nearly even.
A trio of Kansas City Current players trail behind Orlando Pride forward Marta during an NWSL playoff semifinal soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Mike Watters Imagn Images
The NWSL Championship Game will take place at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m., with a live TV broadcast on CBS.
But instead of KC, it’s Orlando that will be playing the Washington Spirit for the 2024 title next weekend in KC.
Fans line up at concession stands to grab food during halftime at a watch party at CPKC Stadium for the semifinal match against the Orlando Pride on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Washington advanced as a penalty-kicks winner over Gotham in the league’s other semifinal, contested Saturday at Audi Field in the nation’s capital.
Ten-year-olds Emery Carpenter, left, and Dany Elrod, showing off teal face paint and red glitter eyebrows, celebrate after the Kansas City Current scored a goal during a watch party at CPKC Stadium for the semifinal match against Orlando Pride on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha (facing camera) is surrounded by joyous teammates after scoring a first-half goal against the Orlando Pride during an NWSL playoff semifinal soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. Nathan Ray Seebeck Imagn Images
