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NWSL playoffs: Cooper’s extra-time penalty sends Kansas City through as Utah stun San Diego
Kansas City and Utah advanced to the NWSL semi-finals with contrasting 1-0 quarter-final wins. Michelle Cooper’s extra-time penalty sent the fourth-seeded Current past Angel City, while seventh-seeded Utah Royals upset second-seeded San Diego Wave, marking Utah’s first playoff victory.
Cooper scored four minutes into extra time after Kayla Sharples went down following contact near goal; Kansas City extended its unbeaten home record. Utah’s Kiana Palacios scored in the 30th minute from a Cloé Lacasse cross, and goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made four saves. San Diego had more possession, shots and shots on target, but could not score; Utah will face Washington or Portland, while Kansas City meets Gotham or Seattle.
In short
- Cooper’s extra-time penalty put Kansas City through.
- Utah beat San Diego 1-0 for its first playoff win.
- The semi-final match-ups depend on the remaining quarter-finals.
Explained simply
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women’s football league in the United States. Its playoffs are a knockout tournament: teams must win each match to advance, and the quarter-finals lead to the semi-finals.
Kansas City Current and Utah Royals are two of the league’s clubs, while Angel City and San Diego Wave are among their rivals. A team’s seed reflects its position at the end of the regular season, so lower-seeded teams face higher-seeded opponents in the playoffs.
Reaching the semi-finals puts a club two wins from the league title. Utah’s first playoff win is also a milestone for the club, while the knockout format means one match can end a team’s season regardless of its regular-season record.