Underdogs surprise NWSL favorites. Kansas City Current is out of the title race
Despite the Kansas City Current easily winning the regular season, they were surprised in the playoffs by the eighth-ranked NY Gotham.
- Gotham FC, seeded 8th in the 2025 playoffs, defeated the #1-seeded Kansas City Current 2–1 in extra time in the quarter-finals of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), with the winning goal scored by Katie Stengel in the 121st minute.
- Gotham took the lead in the 68th minute through Jaedyn Shaw, then Kansas City equalised deep into stoppage time of normal time through Ellie Wheeler, forcing extra time.
- Kansas City entered the match with a dominant regular-season record (65 points) and were undefeated at home in the new CPKC Stadium until this fixture; their home run ended with this upset.
- Gotham FC’s victory is considered one of the biggest upsets in NWSL playoff history, given the disparity in seeding, form and home-advantage.
- The win propels Gotham into the semi-finals, where they will meet the 4th-seeded Orlando Pride.
- Gotham credited their belief, cohesion and experience for pulling off the result - showing that despite lower seeding, they were capable of performing under pressure and seizing the moment.
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