Three things to know ahead of the KC Current’s NWSL opener on Saturday
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- Croix Bethune brings high-level playmaking to boost KC Current attack.
- Armas asks players to slow in the final third at key moments to execute.
- Returning players will take new roles to cover departures and injuries.
Coming off a historic 2025 season in the National Women’s Soccer League, the Kansas City Current returns to action this weekend.
The newish-look Current will take the field at CPKC Stadium on Saturday afternoon against the Utah Royals.
Ten new players have joined the KC roster and midfielder Croix Bethune headlines the group. The Current also added several promising former college standouts.
Three regular starters have moved on — Hailie Mace, Claire Hutton and Bia Zaneratto — which means fans will see a different look on the field this weekend.
Change also extends to the sidelines, where new Current head coach Chris Armas — a former Major League Soccer player — takes the reins from Vlatko Andonovski (who has moved to a role within the organization’s front office).
So there’s plenty new around the KC Current. And yet much of what this year’s club presents will look and feel familiar.
Here are three things to watch as the NWSL season gets underway.
Croix Bethune’s midfield magic
Concerns about the Current’s depth in the defensive midfield appear to be valid.
But the addition of Bethune’s high-level playmaking in the midfield will push the Current forward in attack. A team that seemed to net goals almost at will the last two seasons could be poised to score even more often in 2026.
KC’s attack is loaded with talent, such as Michelle Cooper, Temwa Chawinga, Ally Sentnor and, of course, NWSL legend Debinha. Depth abounds thanks to proven commodities like Penelope Hocking, Kyra Carusa and Hayley Hopkins, as well as such younger players as Gianna Paul and Amelia White.
Losing Zaneratto wasn’t easy. She was top-five in the NWSL in xA (expected assists) as a striker and brought playmaking to the final third. But Bethune figures to be a remedy here.
Bethune had 10 assists in 2024 — more than any other player over the last two seasons combined. The Current’s trade to acquire her from Washington was a stunner, and she was excited about what’s in store in Kansas City.
Her assessment for teams facing the KC attack this season? “It’s gonna be a scary sight.”
Armas recently likened Bethune’s creativity and playmaking abilities to those of hall of fame hoops point guard Jason Kidd. The coach said she can spot things others can’t.
“Croix (has) a high, high level of intelligence — football IQ, we say — and then she’s got really clean feet,” Armas said. “It’s not always that you can get the two on the same page where the feet can do what the brain is thinking. I think she has those two things, technique and intelligence.”
Pumping the brakes in the final third
The Current has been all gas and no brakes at times the past couple of years. When the ball’s gone forward, it’s done so quickly.
Armas is hoping to get his players to take a little more time to execute a final pass or shot on goal.
Don’t get it twisted: Armas wants his team to play “intense and fast football.” But the team is working to adopt “100-to-70” thinking — taking things from 100 mph down to 70.
“It’s this idea that our fast football needs to slow down at times,” he said, “so we can execute in the moment of truth.”
Armas’ “100-to-70” approach focuses on the final third only, not the buildup phases. In the buildup, he’s seeking an accelerated attack where his players create advantages by breaking lines and building downhill speed toward the goal.
Once the ball reaches the final third and 18-yard box, the Current’s forwards should have multiple options in front of them. In that moment, he wants them to pump the brakes a bit.
“It’s this feeling that we’re going to get into those moments, we’re going to play this fast football,” Armas said. “And then in the moment of truth, just to physically and mentally slow down.”
He said KC spent the preseason adopting this mindset.
“Instead of shooting from crazy angles,” Armas explained, “the extra pass is a way we can slow down and execute the action.”
New roles for familiar faces
A few holdovers from recent years will likely see more playing time for the Current this season.
Ellie Bravo-Young stands to play more at right back, for instance, in the wake of Mace’s departure. Bravo-Young played well off the bench and in spot-starts last season. Now she has a full-time role.
Ally Sentnor will likely be the Current’s striker. She has already scored twice in that role for the U.S. Women’s National Team this year.
Sentnor has yet to score for the Current since her trade to KC last summer. If she can find the net like she has at the international level, KC would certainly benefit. That’s especially true with Chawinga and Cooper recovering from injuries to start the season.
KC Current 2026 roster
Goalkeepers: Katie Cappelletti, Clare Gagne (SEI), Marisa Jordan, Lorena (INT).
Defenders: Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Bravo-Young, Meila Brewer, Alana Cook (SEI), Gabrielle Robinson, Izzy Rodriguez, Laney Rouse, Katie Scott, Kayla Sharples, Kolo Suliafu.
Midfielders: Croix Bethune, Debinha, Vanessa DiBernardo (ML), Bayley Feist, Lo’eau LaBonta, Rocky Rodríguez, Ally Sentnor.
Forwards: Kyra Carusa, Temwa Chawinga (SEI), Michelle Cooper (SEI), Penelope Hocking, Haley Hopkins, Mary Long (D45), Gianna Paul, Amelia White.
Key: INT — international; ML — maternity leave; SEI — season-ending Injury; D — 45-day injury list.
Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM.