Cooper’s Extra-Time Penalty Sends Current Past Angel City

The Kansas City Current advanced to the NWSL semifinals with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Angel City at CPKC Stadium. The result ended Angel City’s 10-game unbeaten run and continued Kansas City’s unbeaten home streak, which had reached 33 matches.

The teams were level through regulation in a defensive contest. Angel City’s goalkeeper Angelina Anderson stopped five shots, including a late stop, while Kansas City also kept Angel City from scoring. Both clubs had finished the regular season with 54 goals, but neither found the net in the first 90 minutes.

The decisive moment came early in extra time after Izzy Rodriguez sent a corner into the penalty area. Kayla Sharples went down near the goal line amid contact with Anderson and Angel City midfielder Ary Borges, and the referee awarded Kansas City a penalty. Cooper converted the spot kick to put the Current ahead.

Kansas City, the fourth seed, will meet the winner of the quarterfinal between top-seeded Gotham FC and eighth-seeded Seattle Reign FC in next weekend’s semifinals. Angel City, seeded fifth, was eliminated. The match featured 25 fouls; Angel City received three yellow cards in regulation, while Kansas City received one, in the 114th minute.