UKG NWSL Challenge Cup: Breaking down the last four teams remaining

No. 2 seed: Kansas City Current (4-1-1)

Division: Central

Semifinal opponent: North Carolina Courage

Behind the goal-scoring prowess of Kristen Hamilton in July and August, Kansas City Current caught Racing to take the top spot in the Central Division. The mid-west side combined to score 10 goals in its final four cup games, finishing with the second most goals in the group stage, behind only North Carolina Courage.

Only once has KC failed to score multiple goals on its path to the semifinals. Three players had two or more goals during the group stage including Hamilton who netted five in just four cup starts. With the kind of form Hamilton has been in, KC wishes it could play the Courage much sooner than September. The former North Carolina striker has been sublime since returning from injury, continuously finding space in the opposition’s defensive third.

Isabel Rodriguez, Gabrielle Robinson, and Kate Del Fava were difference-makers throughout, finishing as the only three players to contribute in all six fixtures. The side’s only loss came in Louisville when Savannah DeMelo scored two goals within a five-minute span in the first half.

Last season, a Debinha and Diana Ordóñez one-two punch picked the Current out of the competition. A lot has changed since then. Debinha now dons the red and teal, bringing with her not only back-to-back Challenge Cup MVP awards, but valuable experience in this kind of knockout setting. Adrianna Franch in net also possesses some of that, winning the 2021 Challenge Cup final Player of the Match award as Portland Thorns took down NJ/NY Gotham FC on penalties.