U.S. Women’s National Team, aided by KC stars, wins 1st ever match at CPKC Stadium
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- Michelle Cooper supplied two assists, and Emma Sears completed a hat trick.
- U.S. Women routed New Zealand 6-0 at CPKC Stadium, led by Sears, Macario and Lavelle.
- Kansas City Current players started and featured: Claire Hutton, Cooper, Lo LaBonta.
Kansas City Current winger Michelle Cooper burst down the right flank at CPKC Stadium, like she has all season. She whipped in a cross to set up a goal just eight minutes into the game Wednesday night.
Only this time, it was in a U.S. Women’s National Team jersey.
That connection between Cooper and Emma Sears of Racing Louisville hit twice. Sears would add another for a hat trick as the USWNT defeated New Zealand 6-0 in the first-ever U.S. women’s soccer match at CPKC Stadium.
The USWNT put on a dominant showing. New Zealand struggled to even attack in the first half, and USWNT coach Emma Hayes was happy that her team, and especially Sears, took advantage.
“We knew the space would be there today,” Hayes said. “(Sears) has got an instinct inside the box and a desire to score goals that you can’t teach.”
Kansas City fans may not have been treated to a KC Current goalscorer in the game, but they had plenty to cheer — and chant — about.
Claire Hutton started and Cooper played 68 minutes with two assists. Fans chanted for Lo LaBonta to come on, and Hayes obliged in the 67th minute, bringing the KC Current captain on for Lily Yohannes.
“When you have the whole stadium chant your name, your adrenaline is up for sure,” LaBonta said. “You’re energized. It felt good to be out there.”
Hayes said she had already handed in the card for LaBonta’s substitution by the time the chants started, but she enjoyed playing with the crowd a bit.
“I want to say it’s just soccer, but it does mean more when you’ve got that U.S. on your chest,” LaBonta said. “But it is comforting being in our home stadium.”
While KC fans certainly had their fill of Current player love, they got a show from the U.S. women’s squad, specifically rising young forward Sears.
Sears had goals in the 8th, 55th and 84th minutes for her hat trick. “It feels amazing,” she said. “I think I need to digest it for a second as well.”
She lauded the assists from her teammates, two from Cooper and one from Lindsey Heaps.
Cooper and Sears cooked up quite the connection. Sears’ first goal came via a cross Cooper has mastered: a low, driven pass played to the back post between the defenders and goalkeeper.
“Her ability to put such great, quality balls into the box makes it easy for me ...” Sears said, “to tap those in.”
The second came after Cooper dribbled down the end line before cutting it back to Sears just in front of goal.
“She’s such a joy, I think, for the fans to watch,” Hayes said of Cooper. “Not just because she’s explosive and gets into great areas, but she brings a great personality to her play.”
Catarina Macario of Chelsea scored in the 34th and 67th minutes. Yet the best goal of the night went to Rose Lavelle, whose volley from outside the box curled perfectly into the side netting to give the USWNT a 3-0 lead at the half.
The 6-0 win means the USWNT is still unbeaten in Kansas City. Having played in both Kansas City, Kansas, and KCMO, the USWNT has a record of 7 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com
This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 9:36 PM.