KC Current have won just 2 games to start 2026 season. What’s changed since ‘25?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- New leadership reshaped roster and tactics; Armas became head coach.
- Departures like Hutton and arrivals like Bethune shifted the attack.
- Home support and core leaders remain, but defense and scoring lag early.
Through five games in the Kansas City Current’s 2026 season, three losses raised alarm bells among the National Women’s Soccer League club’s passionate fan base.
The reaction was understandable. It’s the first time the Current, the 2025 NWSL Shield winner, has lost three games in a season since CPKC Stadium opened two years ago. At 2-3, the Current sits in 10th place in the league standings at the first international break of 2026.
The Current has seen turnover from the top on down — from a new head coach to a retooled front office, from new players to a decided shift in how the team plays.
Here are some things that have changed — and stayed the same — for the Current since last year:
What has changed for the KC Current
New head coach Chris Armas arrived in January, with Vlatko Andonovski shifting from head coach to the role of sporting director.
Andonovski, the former U.S. Women’s National Team coach, led the organization to record-breaking success and a 37-6-9 record in two NWSL seasons. But the Current failed to win a championship. He’s now guiding the Current and HB Køge, a Danish women’s team owned by Current co-owners Chris and Angie Long.
Armas brings a background in Major League Soccer, having previously coached the NY Red Bulls (2018-20), Toronto FC (2021) and Colorado Rapids (2023-25). He led those teams to playoff runs (and a Supporters’ Shield), but his only experience in the women’s game was at Adelphi University (2011-14), where he coached his alma mater to a 47-23-10 record.
Current general manager Ryan Dell was promoted this past offseason from head of soccer operations, replacing Caitlin Carducci. Carducci took the same position with an NWSL rival, the Orlando Pride, after parting ways with KC.
On the pitch, star midfielder Claire Hutton was traded to Bay FC just before the preseason. That was one of the Current’s biggest departures, enabling them to pay $1 million to acquire star attacker Croix Bethune from the Washington Spirit.
The Current also added several college players and traded for veteran attacker Penelope Hocking. Other key departures included striker Bia Zaneratto (12 goals and seven assists in two years); longtime defender Hailie Mace (signed with Orlando); 31-year-old Canadian winger Nichelle Prince (traded to Boston); and 18-year-old winger Alex Pfeiffer.
Tactically, some things have stayed the same. But Armas has made some tweaks, too. Under Andonovski, the Current often ran a fluid 4-3-3 formation with Zaneratto, Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper. Midfielders Lo LaBonta and Hutton were physical in the midfield, pressing attackers and winning the ball, with attacking midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo free to disperse to streaking attackers.
When DiBernardo went on maternity leave last July, the formations shifted to feature the two midfielders and Debinha as the 10. Then the Current traded for Ally Sentnor from the Utah Royals in August, moving her between striker and attacking midfielder.
Under Armas, the team shifts between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-2-4. This emphasizes the attackers more. LaBonta has been paired with several players as defensive midfielders, including veteran Bayley Feist, Katie Scott and Bethune.
In the Current’s 2-1 win over Gotham Saturday, Bethune sparked both goals with her passing. She was impressive, winning six of 10 ground duels, according to FotMob.
KC’s defense has suffered a bit as the team adjusts to the new regime. Playing three games in a week’s time didn’t help. The Current was also without Chawinga until Saturday’s match against Gotham.
Brazilian international goalkeeper Lorena has allowed nine goals in this season’s first five matches, recording nine saves; she allowed just 15 goals all of last season, with 65 saves.
Beginning the season without Chawinga meant the Current scored fewer goals. KC scored just twice through four matches, conceding first in each of those games. That run included shutout losses on the road against the Seattle Reign and Portland Thorns.
What’s stayed the same for the KC Current
Despite all of the above, plenty has actually stayed the same for the Current.
CPKC Stadium remains a benefit. Both of Kansas City’s wins this season have come at home. The environment there is raucous and the 11,500-seat venue is typically sold out.
The Current still aims to press its opposition and score as many goals as possible. And veteran leadership remains in place thanks to players like LaBonta, Sharples, Haley Hopkins and Cooper. They are just some of the team’s more experienced voices.
The Current is still one of the most talented teams in the league, boasting such USWNT veterans as Cooper, Sentnor and LaBonta, along with women who’ve played for other countries — Lorena and midfielder Rocky Rodriguez (Costa Rica), for instance.
Perhaps most importantly, the team’s confidence is unwavering despite its rough start. Chawinga’s return should bolster that as she regains full strength. She tallied an assist when she played in the first 40 minutes of Saturday’s home victory.
Next up for the Current is the Teal Rising Cup, which starts Thursday at CPKC Stadium.
“We have a good team. We have a strong team,” Armas said. “Never an excuse from that locker room again, nor myself. We’re getting stronger, not weaker ... and now these next few games we get to really see it even more.”
This story was originally published April 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
