Michelle Cooper’s clutch penalty kick in extra time just snagged the Kansas City Current a wild 1-0 quarterfinal win over Angel City on Sunday, and trust me, Seattle Reign FC fans, you need to be paying attention to what this means for our squad’s playoff road. This wasn’t just another NWSL game, this was pure, unadulterated playoff drama that directly impacts our Emerald City team.
Wild Finish Secures KC’s Semifinal Spot
Talk about a nail-biter that went down to the wire! The Kansas City Current, who finished the regular season undefeated at home, kept that streak alive, extending it right into the playoffs with this extra time victory. Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson put on a show in regulation, making five crucial saves to keep her team in it. But then, four minutes into extra time, the game flipped. Current defender Izzy Rodriguez sent a corner kick into the box, and that’s when Kayla Sharples went down near the goal line after contact with Anderson and Angel City midfielder Ary Borges. The whistle blew, the penalty was awarded, and Cooper stepped up to bury it, sending the Current to the semifinals.
A Foul Fest and Yellow Card Frenzy
This game was a scrappy battle, let me tell you. Both teams combined for a whopping 25 fouls. Angel City ended up with three yellow cards in regulation: the first to Sveindís Jónsdóttir in the 13th minute for sliding into Gabrielle Robinson, then Ary Borges got one in the 58th minute after her cleat caught Vanessa DiBernardo’s during an aerial challenge. Even in second-half stoppage time, Maiara Niehues managed to clip Cooper’s heel, knocking off her cleat and earning Angel City their third booking. Kansas City wasn’t totally clean either, with Temwa Chawinga picking up their only yellow card in the 114th minute. It was a physical, intense quarterfinal clash.
Reign FC’s Road Just Got Clearer… Or Tougher?
So, what does all this mean for our beloved Seattle Reign FC? The fourth-seeded Kansas City Current now officially waits to face the winner of *our* quarterfinal matchup: No. 1 Gotham FC versus our very own No. 8 Seattle Reign FC! That means our Reign, who have a tough battle ahead against the top seed, now know who they’d be up against if they can pull off the upset. The stakes are sky-high, and the path to the NWSL semifinals is getting clearer with each game. Can the Reign punch their ticket and set up a showdown with the Current next weekend? That’s the question on every Seattle sports fan’s mind right now!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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