KC Current is scheduled to play a semifinal match in the Challenge Cup at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas.
The Current will face the North Carolina Courage. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+.
In just the second year of play for the club, the Kansas City Current will hold its first-ever appearance in the playoffs. The team won the Challenge Cup Central Division with a 4-1-1 record, one of only two teams in the NWSL with four wins. The North Carolina Courage finished at the top of the Eastern Division with a 3-0-3 record.
This will be the first time these two sides meet in 2022, but the teams have a familiarity with each other. Four players on Kansas City’s roster once called North Carolina home.
Forward Kristen Hamilton and defender Hailie Mace were acquired by Kansas City in a trade midway through the 2021 season while midfielder Sam Mewis and forward Lynn Williams were acquired in two separate trades this offseason.
For North Carolina, the roster also features four players with Kansas City ties. Former KC first round draft choice Kiki Pickett was sent to the Courage as part of the trade for Mewis, while goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland returned to North Carolina in the Williams trade. Forward Brittany Ratcliffe spent the 2021 preseason in Kansas City before signing with the Courage for the regular season and former KC defender Katie Bowen joined the Courage this offseason.
The Current and Courage met up three times last season, with two of the matches ending in 0-0 draws. The Courage produced the only win between the two Aug. 21. The last match was played in Kansas City on Sept. 5, 2021. Midfielder Desiree Scott became only the second Canadian player to earn her 100th NWSL appearance and goalkeeper A.D. Franch earned her first clean sheet for Kansas City.
With a Current win May 4, the team could advance to the NWSL Challenge Cup Final May 7. The higher seeded semifinal winner will be the host for the match.
For ticket information, see https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/tickets.
- Information from KC Current