Temwa Chawinga’s Mother’s Day Hat-Trick Powers Kansas City Current Past Chicago Stars

The Kansas City Current delivered their most complete performance of the 2026 NWSL season on Mother’s Day, defeating the Chicago Stars 3-0 at CPKC Stadium behind a historic hat-trick from Temwa Chawinga.

In front of 11,500 fans on a partly sunny afternoon in Kansas City, Chawinga reminded everyone why she remains one of the most devastating forwards in women’s soccer. Her three-goal performance not only secured the Current’s second straight league win, but also gave the club a measure of revenge after a 2-1 loss to Chicago earlier this season.

For a team that entered the weekend outside the playoff places, this was exactly the kind of statement performance needed for head coach Chris Armas, who has been under pressure this season to deliver another NWSL Shield.

Chawinga takes over

Kansas City controlled only 47% of possession, but the numbers that mattered were far more impressive. The Current generated 3.58 expected goals and consistently sliced through Chicago’s vulnerable defense.

The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Croix Bethune slipped Chawinga through on goal. The Malawian forward made no mistake, giving Kansas City a deserved 1-0 lead.

The first goal set the tone, and the opening minutes of the second half ended the contest. Chawinga struck again just two minutes after halftime, capitalizing on defensive hesitation to double the Current’s advantage. Three minutes later, Michelle Cooper provided the assist for Chawinga’s third, completing the first hat-trick in club history and turning CPKC Stadium into a Mother’s Day celebration.

A complete performance

Just as important as the goals was Kansas City’s defensive display. After conceding 14 goals in their first seven matches, the Current recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

The reigning NWSL Shield winners looked organized, disciplined, and far more confident than they had during the season’s uneven opening stretch. However, it needs to be noted that the Red Stars are 15th in the 16-team league and have scored the fewest goals in the NWSL.

The victory lifts Kansas City to sixth place in the standings with 12 points from eight matches. The Current have now scored 10 goals and, despite still having room for improvement defensively, are suddenly back where they expected to be all along: in the playoff conversation. The Current are seven points off the first-place Portland Thorns.

It has been a frustrating start to 2026 for a club with championship ambitions, but this performance felt like a turning point.

Bethune continued her strong form, Cooper added another assist, and Chawinga delivered a ruthless finishing display worthy of one of the league’s elite attackers. Most importantly, Kansas City finally looked like the team fans expected to see this season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google