The Kansas City Current opened the 2026 NWSL season with a bang, coming back from 0-1 at halftime to beat Utah Royals FC 2-1 on a sunny afternoon at CPKC Stadium.
Croix Bethune and Ally Sentnor scored their debut goals for the club in the second half of the first match for new KC head coach Chris Armas.
Check out these field-level photos from The Star’s Dominick Williams.
KC Current beats Utah Royals FC in home & season opener
Utah Royals defender Tatumn Milazzo (2) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current fans cheer for their team after a goal in the second half of their season opener vs. the Utah Royals on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) attempts to steal the ball from a Utah Royals player, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The Kansas City Current held their season opener at home to a sold-out crowd, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current owners Chris and Angie Long watch the Kansas City Current vs. the Utah Royals match alongside Kansas City Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current defender Izzy Rodriguez (18) attempts to steal the ball from a Utah Royals defender, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current fans get hype during halftime of their season opener at home vs. the Utah Royals on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) prepares to kick the ball back into play in the first half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) kicks the ball past the Utah Royals goalie to score a goal in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) curtsies after scoring a goal in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current players celebrate after a goal by Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current players celebrate after a goal by Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune (8) in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current defender Katie Scott (31) takes the ball on a break away towards goal, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Missouri State Rep. Mark Alford, State Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver II, and Mayor Quinton Lucas chat during the Kansas City Current vs. the Utah Royals match, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current midfielder Bayley Feist (22) and defender Kayla Sharples (27) go up for a header in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current forward Ally Sentnor (21) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Current forward Ally Sentnor (21) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half of the Current's match vs. the Utah Royals, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the CPKC Stadium. The Current won 2-1 against the Utah Royals. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 6:21 PM.
Dominick Williams serves as a visual journalist for the Kansas City Star. His journalistic endeavors cover a diverse array of topics, notably sports, breaking news, human interest narratives, and culinary features.
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