Photos: KC Current plays San Diego Wave to 2-2 draw

Bethune, Chawinga notch goals as Current extends league-record home unbeaten streak.

1 hour ago

Brock Wilbur,

The Kansas City Current (8-6-1, 25 pts., 5th place) played to a 2-2 draw against San Diego Wave FC (9-2-5, 29 pts., 1st place) Friday night at CPKC Stadium.

After the visitors took an early lead, midfielder Croix Bethune leveled the contest in the 52nd minute with a brilliant volley on an assist from defender Laney Rouse. Nine minutes later, Bethune set up a breakaway opportunity that forward Temwa Chawinga buried, giving Kansas City a 2-1 advantage.

However, the visitors equalized in the late stages to secure a draw. Defender Izzy Rodriguez made her 100th regular season appearance to become the 42nd player in NWSL history to hit that mark for the same club, and fellow defender Gabrielle Robinson made her 50th regular season appearance. Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo returned to the pitch at CPKC Stadium as a second-half substitute, her first appearance at home in 393 days.

Kansas City’s positive momentum continued as the second half began. In the 52nd minute, high pressure from Hopkins near the endline led to Rouse curling in a cross from the right wing. Rouse’s pass fell perfectly to Bethune near the top of the penalty area, and she plucked the ball out of midair and fired a low volley that found the bottom right corner of the goal.

The goal marked Bethune’s third of the season and 10th of her regular season career while Rouse notched the first assist of her professional career.

Chawinga put the Current ahead nine minutes later. Midfielder Rocky Rodríguez, a second-half substitute, picked off an errant Wave pass near midfield and steered the ball ahead for Bethune. Bethune pushed forward, then sent the ball behind the San Diego back line for Chawinga who broke free from the defense. Chawinga took a touch then hammered a left-footed strike under the outstretched arms of San Diego goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo that nestled perfectly in the bottom right corner of the goal.

Chawinga’s goal was her ninth of the season, and the forward now ranks second in the Golden Boot race with nine goals and two assists. It also marked Chawinga’s 44th career regular season goal. Bethune picked up her sixth assist of the season, tied for most in the NWSL. Bethune recorded a goal and an assist in the same match for the third time in her career, and second time this season.

The Wave pressed for an equalizer in the late stages of the contest and found a second goal after Byars slid home to tap in a loose ball at the back post in the 90th minute. In the final moments of second-half stoppage time, Current goalkeeper Marisa Jordan made a diving save to deny a close-range effort from Wave midfielder Kimmi Ascanio. The save marked the final action as the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

The result extended Kansas City’s ongoing unbeaten streak at CPKC Stadium to 24 matches, the longest run in NWSL history. The streak began Sept. 7, 2024, and the Current has posted a 20-0-4 record across that timeframe.

Our photographer Tarik Sykes was there to capture everything: