The match between Utah Royals and Kansas City Current in the NWSL is one of those nail-biters that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. On one side is Utah, coming in riding the momentum of four consecutive wins, while on the other side is Kansas City, seeking redemption after recent losses. The cherry on top? It's a rematch of their May encounter, where the Current came out on top, 1-0. So, what should we expect from this fixture? Let's break down the elements that make this game a true spectacle.
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Utah Royals: The Phoenix Rises
If you were among those that counted Utah Royals out, it may be time to have a second thought. From a team that was stuck near the bottom of the standings not too long ago, they have now started to show signs of life by compiling crucial victories in recent games. And who is the hero behind such a turn of fortunes? Claudia Zornoza. The Spanish midfielder made history in the NWSL by scoring a goal and delivering an assist in the same match. She became only the third Spanish player to accomplish such a feat.
Utah has shown tremendous elasticity, and not to mention, come up with an authoritative victory against Houston Dash, scoring a hail of goals in just 16 minutes, proving they are not just winning but securing domination. Midfielders, first and foremost Ana Tejada and Zornoza, have been the workhorse and backbone to this resurgence. Utah certainly is high on adrenaline, and riding that wave of momentum could very well hold the key to stunning Kansas Current again.
Kansas City Current: The Golden Quest of Chawinga
On the other side, Kansas City Current boasts its own rising star: Temwa Chawinga. A true nightmare to any defence given that with 14 goals and 6 assists this season. And now, for more drama, Chawinga is only a goal away from breaking the NWSL record for most consecutive matches with a goal after netting in seven straight games. The only outcome is putting more and more pressure on the Utah Royals defense to contain the league's most dangerous forward.
However, Kansas City is not in the best form. They lost their last two matches since the break in NWSL action for the Olympic Games, the latest being a 2-1 defeat to North Carolina Courage with the game-winning goal arriving in stoppage time. Short version: this team is hungry, and they will hit the pitch with vengeance to turn things around.
The Home Advantage: CPKC Stadium as Kansas City's Fortress
Another plus for Kansas City is that they return home after two months on the road to CPKC Stadium. The home record is impressive: in 2024, the team has posted an outstanding 12-1-2 mark on home turf. In addition, all the games at CPKC are sold out, meaning Utah Royals will face a hostile environment; the crowd will be pushing Kansas City forward throughout the 90 minutes.
This cannot be taken lightly. Fans always make a difference, and during very important moments of the season, this can become a critical determinant. Kansas City understands that this game is a godsend in their bid to get their campaign back on course and rejoin the quest for the NWSL Shield accorded to the best regular season record.
Claudia Zornoza vs. Temwa Chawinga
The game might boil down to these two stars, basically. If Zornoza remains inspired, Utah's midfield will run the game and control the rhythm of the game. That said, it would be imperative in nullifying Chawinga's relentless attack. If Chawinga finds space and keeps her scoring streak alive, Kansas City might get their way and force their style of play to win the game.
Pressure Defenses
With both teams sporting such powerful offenses, it will be a true test for their defenses. Utah has let in 31 goals this season, while at pivotal times in the loss to North Carolina Courage, Kansas City's defensive system fell apart. That team that can manage to shut down space and hold pressure from the opposing attack has a great advantage.