Can Temwa Chawinga stay red-hot as Kansas City Current chase a third straight NWSL win?

The Kansas City Current return to CPKC Stadium on Friday night looking for a third consecutive NWSL victory when they host the Houston Dash. After a sluggish start to the 2026 campaign, Kansas City suddenly has momentum and a chance to climb further up the table.

Chris Armas’ team has won back-to-back matches, defeating the North Carolina Courage 2-1 on the road before dismantling the Chicago Red Stars 3-0 last weekend. The star of that victory was Temwa Chawinga, who scored the first regular-season hat-trick in club history.

The Current sit sixth in the NWSL standings with 12 points from eight matches, seven points behind the first-place Portland Thorns FC. Houston is only two points back in ninth, meaning a Dash win would see them leapfrog Kansas City.

Chawinga leading the attack

Scoring goals was a major concern for the Current through the opening weeks of the season. Kansas City managed just five goals in its first six league games, which led to growing questions about whether last season’s NWSL Shield winners had lost their cutting edge. It also led many to question the club’s choice of hiring Armas as head coach.

Those concerns have eased over the last two matches. The Current have scored five times in consecutive wins and now own 10 goals in eight games. However, half of their goals have come in the last two fixtures.

Chawinga’s hat-trick pushed her to the forefront once again, while Croix Bethune continues to be one of the league’s most creative players. Bethune recorded her 14th NWSL assist against Chicago, the most by any player in the league since the start of 2024.

Kansas City’s defense remains a work in progress despite last weekend’s first clean sheet of the season. The Current have conceded 14 goals, an average of 1.75 per game.

Houston searching for answers

Houston has scored 10 goals and conceded 12, numbers nearly identical to Kansas City’s. The difference is form. The Dash are winless in four straight matches, taking just one point during that run. Consecutive losses to the Utah Royals and Denver Summit have left the club sliding down the standings.

Kansas City have won the last two meetings at home against the Dash. The Current are also unbeaten in their last 20 regular-season matches at CPKC Stadium, posting 17 wins and three draws.

Chawinga now leads the Current in scoring with three goals thanks to her hat-trick. Bethune is the team’s top goal creator with two assists.

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