Kansas City Current's first-ever away trip to Bay FC ended victoriously for the travelling side as Temwa Chawinga's 35th-minute goal proved the difference between the two in a 1-0 win. It was the second win in as many games for the Kansas-based outfit against Bay FC, who are new to the NWSL this season. On Saturday, it was confirmed that the Current will enjoy the luxury of a home tie in the playoffs after guaranteeing a place in the top four of the NWSL.
Chawinga makes NWSL history and breaks Kerr's record
Sam Kerr's regular season record of 18 goals in a season had stood since 2019, so when Chawinga began to draw nearer to breaking the Australian's record , Current fans held their breath. But last night, in front of a crowd of 12,974, it was time to breathe out and celebrate. With ten minutes to play before halftime, Bay FC had a throw-in just inside their own third of the pitch. The ball fell to the feet of Bay FC midfielder Kiki Pickett, and immediately Chawinga pounced, dispossessing her. Despite being clearly held back by Pickett, Chawinga stormed to the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable shot at a ferocious pace down to the Bay FC keeper Katelyn Rowland's right and into the back of the net. Mobbed by her teammates, she emerged from the celebratory huddle, grinning from ear to ear; the record was hers.
Not in Kansas anymore
Much had been made about Chawinga's habit of scoring at home rather than on the road; when plotting the trajectory of where history might be made, many looked towards the fixture at CPKC stadium against struggling San Diego Wave as the match the Malawian star would do it. But Chawinga put paid to that notion scoring on the road against Racing Louisville within two minutes before her winner away at Bay FC on Saturday.
Home comforts confirmed
The CPKC Stadium has become somewhat of a fortress for the Current, only losing at home once this season. A key objective of the run-in was to confirm a home playoff draw. After North Carolina Courage and Angel City FC drew earlier in the day, a home draw was confirmed for the Current, although victory over Bay FC would have confirmed that regardless of results elsewhere. The result means that for the first time in their history Kansas City Current will host a home playoff match.
What's next
Kansas City Current can look ahead to the playoffs in impressive form. Valtko Andonovski's side has had five clean sheets in their last six matches and, as we well know, are no slouches at the opposite end of the pitch. With playoff rivals Orlando Pride's hopes of an unbeaten season extinguished this weekend , extra confidence may just filter into Andonovski's side. More records may lie in wait for the Current as they eye the record for most regular season goals for a team. Currently on 50, North Carolina Courage's record from 2019 remains at 54, but for how much longer? For Bay FC the picture is more complicated. Defeat to the Current put a dent in the side's playoff hopes. Defeat briefly put their fate out of their hands, but a win for Washington Spirit against Racing Louisville means that four points from Bay's last two game will secure their playoff place. North Carolina Courage are next up for Albertin Montoya's charges.
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