Temwa Chawinga’s Early Second-Half Goal Lifts Kansas City Current to Gritty Victory Over Orlando Pride

By Alonso Contreras

Kansas City Current edged out Orlando Pride 1-0 in a fiercely contested NWSL encounter that saw a single goal decide a match brimming with intensity, fouls, and a flurry of attacking attempts from both sides. Temwa Chawinga’s clinical finish early in the second half proved the difference, as the hosts held firm in a physically taxing match littered with stoppages, injuries, and critical saves.

First Half: Midfield Battle and Defensive Resilience

The match opened with both sides aggressively testing each other’s defensive lines. The early minutes were physical, with Kansas City's Bia Zaneratto quickly involved, committing two fouls in the opening five minutes. Orlando’s Angelina launched the first meaningful effort on goal in the 6th minute, only to be denied by the Kansas City back line.

Kansas City gradually gained the upper hand in possession, spearheaded by Debinha and LaBonta in midfield. Debinha was particularly lively, getting a shot on target in the 15th minute that required a sharp save from Emily Sams. Just a minute later, a flurry of chances followed as LaBonta and Chawinga both saw efforts repelled by Angelina and Moorhouse respectively. Bia Zaneratto added to the barrage with a curling attempt in the 18th minute, again denied by the in-form Moorhouse.

Despite Kansas City's momentum, Orlando remained compact and dangerous on the break. However, injuries began to disrupt the flow of the first half—Banda for Orlando and Lorena for Kansas City both receiving treatment around the 25th minute.

As the half wore on, Orlando began to find pockets of space, culminating in a promising shot from Angelina in the 43rd minute. Still, the sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0, with both goalkeepers—Moorhouse and Lorena—playing pivotal roles in preserving clean sheets.

Second Half: Chawinga Strikes as Defenses Dig In

The second half sparked into life almost immediately. Just six minutes after the restart, Kansas City’s star forward Temwa Chawinga latched onto a well-worked passage of play to slot home past Moorhouse, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute. It was Chawinga’s persistence and sharp movement in the box that carved open Orlando’s defense.

Orlando looked to respond, and M. Gautrat tested Lorena with a low drive in the 59th minute. The Kansas City keeper, despite an injury scare earlier in the match, was up to the task and smothered the attempt confidently.

The hour mark saw both sides forced into substitutions due to a succession of injuries—Debinha and A. Cook were replaced for Kansas City, while Orlando brought on A. Watt and later A. Lemos to refresh their midfield. Chawinga remained Kansas City's most dangerous player, drawing a strong save from Moorhouse in the 68th minute, and again having a go in the 86th.

Closing Stages: Chaos, Corners, and Heroic Defending

The final 20 minutes were chaotic. A wave of fouls broke up the tempo, including infractions by Sams, Nadaner, and Banda for Orlando, while Kansas City’s Hopkins and Prince also went into the referee’s book. Injuries continued to plague Kansas City, with Chawinga requiring treatment again in the 78th minute.

Orlando threw everything forward in the closing stages. Banda and Pickett both launched attempts, with the latter peppering the Kansas City box with corners in the 96th and 102nd minutes. The most dramatic moment came in the 90+11th minute as Pickett forced a brilliant save from Lorena, who cemented her status as Kansas City’s hero of the match.

Despite relentless late pressure and a barrage of corners deep into stoppage time, Orlando couldn’t find the breakthrough, and Kansas City clung to their narrow lead as the final whistle blew.

Player of the Match: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)

The forward was a constant threat and delivered the match-winner with composure and instinctive finishing.

Key Stats:

• Goals:

  • Kansas City Current: Chawinga (51’)

• Saves:

  • Kansas City: Lorena – 4

  • Orlando: Moorhouse – 5

• Corners:

  • Kansas City: 1

  • Orlando: 6

• Fouls:

  • Kansas City: 8

  • Orlando: 9

• Substitutions & Injuries:

  • Multiple injuries for both sides disrupted momentum, notably Chawinga (KC), Banda (ORL), Debinha (KC), and Cook (KC).

Conclusion:

In a match defined by grit, resilience, and injury stoppages, Kansas City Current's ability to capitalize early in the second half proved decisive. Orlando Pride battled hard and created late chances, but were thwarted by Lorena’s excellence in goal. Kansas City climb up the table with a crucial win, while Orlando will be left wondering what could have been had they converted one of their late opportunities.