Why the KC Current’s stellar (and historic) defense in 2025 takes a team effort

The Kansas City Current posted a fifth straight clean sheet last weekend, their 10th in 17 games in National Women’s Soccer League competition in 2025.

That means the Current are on pace to be one of the NWSL’s best defensive teams.

Ever.

There have been quite a few juggernaut NWSL teams over the years. Two of them tie for the best defensive record in NWSL history (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season): the 2021 Portland Thorns and the 2018 North Carolina Courage.

Both of those squads conceded 17 goals over 24 games, averaging 0.71 goals against per match.

The Current, having conceded 10 goals in 17 games, has an average of 0.59 goals against per game. That means the Current’s on pace to concede just 15 goals in two more games played in 2025 (the NWSL is now on a 26-game schedule).

“I think because we have such a powerful offense, the defensive things, maybe people don’t notice as much,” Current player Michelle Cooper said. “I think something absolutely important to us is our entire back line and the commitment to get little touches in, to take of angles, and block shots. I think all of those things go unnoticed.”

They’ve done it with a mix of players at center-back, too. Injuries to Alana Cook and Elizabeth Ball have meant the center-back pairing partner for Kayla Sharples has changed a few times this season.

That hasn’t seemed to matter very much. Defensively, in large part, it’s been a team effort. “I think players are aware of the importance of defense,” assistant coach Milan Ivanovic said. “And especially in this league where you play against some of the world’s best forwards, it’s very important.”

There might be one group that prides itself on its defense more than anyone expects: the forwards. Each of the usual front four players for the Current, as well as the “next up,” ranks highly in defensive metrics per 90 minutes for players at their respective positions, according to Football Reference.

Cooper ranks in the 86th percentile among forwards for tackles per 90, 89th percentile for interceptions per 90, and 86th percentile for blocks per 90.

Temwa Chawinga is in the 70th percentile for tackles while Bia Zaneratto is in the 98th percentile for tackles, 88th percentile for blocks and 79th percentile for clearances.

Debinha ranks in the 80th percentile for interceptions and 83rd percentile for blocks. Nichelle Prince is in the 99th percentile for tackles and interceptions, as well as 84th percentile for blocks and 88th percentile for clearances.

“It starts from the top,” Cooper said. “And even if you get bypassed, (you must) make sure you get your butt back so that we have numbers in the box. All of those little things typically go unnoticed.”

Ivanovic says the team’s veterans set the tone with their defensive effort.

“The environment itself is very competitive, and it helps new players mold into it,” Ivanovic said. “Because if you don’t (defend), you stand out. And when you see players nextto you, when you see some of the more experienced players working as hard as they can, especially as a younger player, turning around and seeing that is motivating.”

Recent acquisition Ally Sentnor has already noticed how the Current’s culture and mentality require full buy-in from everyone on the field. “It’s the commitment to defend, and everyone is so bought into it that you have to do it,” Sentnor said. “It’s just part of the game.

“But it’s what makes this team so special because you see a swarm of players running back as fast as they can so that we can go and attack again. It’s really special, and I think this mentality is something I haven’t really experienced before.”

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.