KC Current settles for 1 point as visiting Wave’s Byars scores both early & late

After going scoreless for a match and a half, down 1-0 at home against the National Women’s Soccer League’s best team on Friday night, the Kansas City Current had finally had enough.

Croix Bethune scored a one-touch equalizer in the 52nd minute and Temwa Chawinga put the hosts ahead of the San Diego Wave with a strike in the 61st.

The Current had the lead at a raucous CPKC Stadium ... and it would last nearly through the remainder of regulation. But not entirely: Trinity Byars, who had opened the scoring in the sixth minute, completed her brace with a tying strike in the 90th.

Final score: Current 2, Wave 2.

For a while it looked like the Current would be sending the San Diego Wave back to Cali with a loss.

Chawinga’s left-footed goal, nine minutes after Bethune’s, was assisted by ... Bethune. So it was obviously a good night for Bethune and also for Chawinga.

The latter player — the two-time NWSL MVP — recorded her ninth goal of the season.

But the outcome will no doubt feel unsatisfying for Kansas City, especially because the Current looked listless early. Byars’ first goal came off a feed from Kimmi Ascanio; Byars flicked the deft cross into the back of the net, just past Current goalkeeper Marisa Jordan.

The Current took nine shots, with three on-target. The Wave took 12, putting six on-target.

The Current now has eight wins, seven losses and one draw to its NWSL credit in 2026. The Wave’s record stands at 10 wins, five losses and two draws.

If nothing else, garnering a point from a tie was a far better outcome for the Current than last week’s 3-0 loss at Orlando.

Up next: The Current visit the Boston Legacy on Saturday, July 25, for a game against the expansion New Englanders. Match time is set for 4 p.m. Central Time, and the game will be played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 9:17 PM.