Temwa Chawinga scored her 10th goal of the season to give the Current a 1-0 edge over the Royals.

The Malawian forward scored the game-winner by latching onto a long ball by Current defender Kayla Sharples and then dinking the ball over Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, who was rushing off her line, in the 82nd minute.

Making her 40th NWSL regular-season appearance, Chawinga has reached 30 career NWSL regular-season goals faster than any other player in league history. Chawinga is also now tied with Esther Gonzalez for top scorer in the NWSL this season.

Ally Sentnor made her debut for the Current against her former team by coming on as a substitute at halftime. Last week, Sentnor was traded from Utah to Kansas City in exchange for $600,000. The transfer fee was a record between two NWSL teams.

In the dying moments, substitute Cloe Lacasse missed a chance to snatch a point for Utah when she headed over the bar from six yards out. The Canadian forward was playing her first match since recovering from an ACL tear in October 2024.

Kansas City (13-2-0) has won seven consecutive matches and recorded three consecutive clean sheets to lead the league standings.