Current make more history with Shield clinch, Royals and Courage gain momentum – Equalizer Soccer

Photo Credit: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images

This week in the National Women’s Soccer League, the Kansas City Current officially made history as they won the Shield. Meanwhile, backup goalkeepers continued to make their mark, and clubs continue to drop in and out of the vaunted playoff positions. Let’s discuss.

Vlatko Andonovoski and Kansas City Current clinch Shield at historic clip

The first job is done for the most dominant, consistent, and complete team in the NWSL this season. 

With a comprehensive 2-0 win at home over the Seattle Reign, the Kansas City Current lifted its first domestic hardware in its four-year history and officially etched itself into league history books. 

They are now the fastest team to win the Shield, having won the league title with five games to spare. The narrative wrote itself as the peerless Temwa Chawinga scored her side’s second goal on her 27th birthday. As a result, she retook the lead in the Golden Boot race, as she is tied on goals with Esther Gonzalez but has more assists. Records are still being written, as the Current’s back line has not allowed a goal in 812 minutes and has kept 14 clean sheets this season, and counting.

It is a meaningful accolade for head coach Vlatko Andonovski. The Current hired him three months after the USWNT’s disappointing quarterfinal exit from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. His move back to Kansas City served as a homecoming of sorts, as Andonovski was at the helm of FC Kansas City for five years and won consecutive NWSL Championships in 2014 and 2015. There was one title that had eluded him until now: the NWSL Shield. 

With the regular season title officially in hand, the Current will now set its sights on finishing the job and taking its first Championship title back to CPKC Stadium.

Renewed Royals relish the role of spoiler

Don’t look now, but the Utah Royals are among the most in-form teams in the NWSL. Yet another second-half renaissance appears to be underway for Jimmy Coenraets’ side. The Royals extended their unbeaten run to a club record 6 matches after staving off a late comeback from Racing Louisville on Friday night to win 3-2. All three first-half goals were stunners in their own ways as Cloé Lacasse and Janni Thomsen netted their first goals of the season. However, Mina Tanaka’s finesse and finish were a true marvel.