Kansas City has long fought for the nickname of “Soccer Capital of America” because of its deep passion and rooted culture surrounding the sport. But while this title has been mostly attributed to their MLS and arena soccer teams, Sporting KC and KC Comets, it is now more apparent than ever to give Kansas City the nickname due to the KC Current, their National Women’s Soccer League team.
In September, the KC Current clinched the 2025 NWSL Shield, which is awarded to the club with the best record at the end of the season. This is the first time the club has been awarded this achievement since joining the league in 2021. While the feat alone is exceptional, it is also impressive as they claimed the title with five games still left to go in the season.
“It’s so heartwarming to see people finally getting into the sport I’ve loved my whole life,” said senior Baker Women’s Soccer player Darcy Cato. “I think the U.S. has come a long way in both the development and support for women’s soccer players on our home turf, and that’s been really exciting to see,” Cato continues by saying, “I think the effects of the NWSL and KC Current are bleeding into other women’s sports as well, showing these other leagues that investment brings forth even more success, and that women athletes are just as competitive and important as their male counterparts.”
The Current has been at the precipice of the growth of women’s soccer not only in the United States, but the world as well. The creation of their venue, CPKC Stadium, put them on the map as the first ever stadium to be built specifically for a women’s professional soccer team. Due to this, attraction towards Kansas City and women’s soccer has grown, as the stadium frequently sells out of its 11,500-seat capacity for matches. It has also hosted the 2024 NWSL final, the Big 12 Women’s Soccer Tournament, and numerous U.S. Women’s National Team matches. “Other clubs are following in the footsteps of KC Current and creating their own world-class facilities meant strictly for the women’s game, finally giving these athletes what they deserve,” Cato said. These feats are a testament to the facility and the growth of women’s soccer and women’s sports in the world.
The Current were put further on the world’s radar as Temwa Chawinga, one of their star players, was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Feminin, the highest honor that an individual player can achieve in soccer. While Chawinga ultimately placed 17th, it still highlights her skill and importance to the sport. Chawinga boasts many accolades, including having won the MVP award for the 2024 season, the golden boot for the most goals scored in the season, and holding numerous records for the NWSL.
But the KC Current’s influence extends off the field too. The team contributes back to the community in numerous ways through support towards Kansas City nonprofit organizations, hosting community events, and a “Mascot of the Match” to team up with local animal shelters in support of pet adoptions. They also regularly hold youth soccer camps for kids in the Kansas City area to grow the sport.
The KC Current currently has a record of 18-2-2, and with four matches still to go in the season as well as the postseason tournament, the team can add to their already impressive season. “We’re here to support women’s soccer players, but also to showcase the success that comes with that support,” Cato said. While the success of the KC Current on and off the field in the past five years since its establishment has marked a significant point in Kansas City sports, it is ultimately a win for women’s sports as a whole.
