How does the Kansas City Current compare to the rest of the NWSL after five matchdays?

The Kansas City Current are five matches into the 2026 NWSL season, and the campaign has already delivered both highs and lows. A 2–1 win over the Utah Royals opened the season on a positive note, but three consecutive road defeats to the Chicago Stars, Seattle Reign, and Portland Thorns quickly brought the team back down to Earth.

First-year head coach Chris Armas came under pressure during that losing streak. However, injuries and player absences limited his ability to consistently select a full-strength starting XI.

A 2–1 comeback victory over Gotham FC helped stabilize the situation, with goals from Debinha and Michelle Cooper sealing the result. Since then, the Current entered the international break and claimed silverware, defeating Palmeiras in the Teal Rising Cup final.

Where the Current stand after five matchdays

The Kansas City Current enters NWSL Week 6 in 11th place, with two wins and three losses from five matches. The early standings reflect a team still searching for consistency.

Offensively, the Current have not matched last season’s output. The team has scored five goals in five matches, averaging 1.0 goal per game, which ranks 11th in the 16-team league. While the attack has shown flashes, it has not been consistently scoring goals to win games.

Defensively, the numbers are more concerning. The Current have conceded nine goals, an average of 1.8 per match, the third-highest total in the league. Defensive struggles have been a recurring issue, with the attack’s inability to maintain pressure also contributing to the team conceding at least one goal in every match.

Underlying numbers show attacking promise

Despite the modest goal return, underlying metrics suggest the attack is performing better than raw numbers indicate. Kansas City ranks eighth in expected goals (6.8), compared to their actual total of five. This gap points to missed opportunities rather than a lack of chance creation.

The Current average 4.0 shots per match, placing them 10th in the league, but their presence in advanced areas is more encouraging. Kansas City ranks third in touches inside the opposition’s penalty area with 117, trailing only the San Diego Wave and the Washington Spirit.

These figures indicate that the team is consistently progressing the ball into dangerous positions, even if the final product has not fully matched the buildup play.

Defensive issues remain the key concern

While the attack shows signs of progress, the defense continues to present significant problems. The Current have conceded nine goals in five matches, with only Racing Louisville and the Chicago Stars allowing more.

The team’s expected goals against (7.7) is lower than the actual goals conceded, suggesting opponents have scored from lower-quality chances. This indicates that some of the defensive issues may be correctable.

However, one area stands out as a major weakness: set pieces. Kansas City have allowed three goals from set-piece situations, the highest total in the league. This figure exceeds the team’s expected goals conceded from set pieces (1.7), highlighting inefficiency in defending dead-ball situations.

Set pieces have become increasingly important in modern soccer, often serving as a key source of goals. Kansas City’s struggles in this area have directly impacted results and remain a critical issue for the coaching staff to address.

A manageable gap in the standings

Despite the inconsistent start, the Current remain within reach of the top of the table. Just six points separate them from league leaders the San Diego Wave.

With the season still in its early stages, the standings remain fluid. A strong run of results could quickly shift Kansas City’s position, especially if teams above them drop points.

The combination of attacking chance creation and correctable defensive issues suggests the Current’s early-season problems are not definitive. As NWSL play resumes, results against teams like the Washington Spirit will provide a clearer indication of where Kansas City stands in 2026.

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