Michelle Cooper's penalty in extra time gives Kansas City a 1-0 win over Angel City in the NWSL quarterfinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Michelle Cooper converted a penalty kick in the 96th minute to give the Kansas City Current a 1-0 victory over Angel City FC after extra time on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the NWSL playoffs. The fourth-seeded Current advanced to the semifinals for the third time in franchise history, and they will play at top-seeded Gotham FC next Sunday.

The match paired two of the league’s highest-scoring teams in the regular season, and it produced no goal for 95 minutes. Kansas City (16-5-9, 53 points in the regular season) was the only team in the league to finish the regular season unbeaten at home, and it extended that run into the playoffs. Angel City (15-7-8, 52 points) arrived unbeaten in 10 straight matches to close the regular season, in the club’s first postseason appearance since 2023.

The chances came in a steady line and went unconverted. Laney Rouse fired just high from distance in the sixth minute. Temwa Chawinga headed straight at Angelina Anderson in the 19th. Angel City’s best chance of the first half came in the 25th, when Ary Borges shot on target and Lorena leapt to tap the ball over the crossbar. Anderson saved on Cooper and on Chawinga before halftime, then saved on Croix Bethune in the 48th minute and again after a free kick in the 60th. Lo’eau LaBonta curled an effort just high in the 70th after a layback from Haley Hopkins, and Bethune curled a shot from the top of the box in the 80th that Anderson held. Anderson’s fifth save of regulation came on a well-struck effort from Vanessa DiBernardo. Emily Sams blocked a close-range Chawinga attempt in the 91st minute, and Maiara Niehues shot narrowly wide in second half stoppage time.

Kansas City finished with 20 shots to 12 for Angel City, and six shots on goal to two. The teams combined for 25 fouls, and Angel City drew three yellow cards to one for Kansas City.

Four minutes into extra time, a blocked Chawinga effort went out for a corner kick. Izzy Rodriguez sent the corner into the six-yard box, and Kayla Sharples went to the ground near the goal line after contact with Anderson. The referee awarded a penalty kick. Angel City’s match report described the award as a VAR call, and interim head coach Leif Smerud called the outcome harsh after the match. Cooper stepped up and scored past a diving Anderson into the left side of the goal. The goal was the first postseason goal of Cooper’s career.

Angel City pressed for the equalizer in what was left of extra time. Sveindis Jonsdottir shot narrowly wide from the right side of the box in the 106th minute, and Lorena saved on Niehues in the 115th to protect the lead. Lorena finished with two saves and the first postseason shutout of her career. Anderson finished with five saves and the one goal allowed, on the penalty she had conceded.

“It’s another example of finding different ways to win games,” Kansas City head coach Chris Armas said. “The players met the demands of such a tough, gritty game against a team that you can argue was the hottest in the league.”

“We knew [Kansas City] was a good team, but we came here with no fear,” Smerud said. “To lose on a penalty like that, seems harsh, and I feel for the players a lot, but I’m very proud of the team.”

Up Next: Kansas City plays at Gotham FC in the semifinals on Sunday, Nov. 15, at Icahn Stadium in New York. Angel City’s season is over. The club closed the regular season unbeaten in 10 straight matches and set club highs in goals, clean sheets and wins, and its second postseason appearance ended in the quarterfinal round.

Scoring summary: Kansas City, Cooper 96 (penalty kick). Halftime: 0-0. Regulation: 0-0. Attendance: 11,500, the listed capacity of CPKC Stadium.