Over the past two weeks in the NWSL, there have been two surprising departures–both men. On August 31st, the Orlando Pride let go of their head coach, Seb Hines. Hines had coached the Pride since 2022 and oversaw a remarkable turnaround for a team that had experienced little success prior to his leadership. He was the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year as he guided Orlando to both the Championship and the Shield. However, his teams have been stuck in more of the middle of the pack the last two years and Orlando was sitting 12th (outside of the playoffs) when he was let go. Still, firing a manager who brought a championship to the city less than two years ago was rather shocking.

Speaking of shocking, on September 7th, the Kansas City Current buried an announcement about “mutually parting ways” with Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski. At the end of 2025, Andonovski was “promoted” to the role of Sporting Director following a very successful two-year stint as the head coach. Just as Hines did in Orlando, Andonovski oversaw a remarkable turnaround for a team with only one playoff appearance in its history, leading the Current to a semifinal appearance in his first season and a dominate Shield run in his second. Even Vlatko’s current and former players have been floored by this.

And, coincidentally, it’s these two teams that meet in the Midwest Friday night. Both sets of players will be looking to block out the noise and continue late season playoff pushes. Each team has seven games remaining and both are coming off of victories. On Sunday, the Pride hosted the Dash and earned a 3-1 win in their first game sans Hines. Last Friday, the Current traveled to California and earned a (rare) road win, 2-1 over Bay FC.

The shakeup on the sidelines hasn’t been the only change for Orlando recently. The keeper who led the team to the title in 2024, Anna Moorhouse, has struggled this season. She was recently benched in favor of Cosette Morché, and then, just a matter of days ago, Moorhouse was loaned to Machester City for the remainder of the season. Additionally, longtime KCC nemesis, Marta, hasn’t played in a few matches for Orlando.

Of course, as soon as the conversation turns to injuries, the Current’s concerns jump to the forefront. As stated, the Current were able to earn a victory last Friday, this despite having a very depleted roster. On the defensive side of things, starting GK (and recent Ballon d’Or nominee) Lorena wasn’t able to go, and even after adding a player, Itala Gemelli, on loan from the KC Current II roster, the defense had exactly four healthy bodies to start the match. Because Laney Rouse is, herself, still working back from injury, this meant that Michelle Cooper had to finish the match at right back.

And then, of course, there’s the reigning MVP (another Ballon d’Or nominee), Temwa Chawinga who was suffering from an illness last weekend. Hopefully she will be recovered enough to provide some minutes for the team this Friday night.

Orlando does have their own Ballon d’Or nominee in Barbra Banda who is currently second in the NWSL Golden Boot race. Back on July 10th, both Banda and Marta tallied goals in the Pride’s 3-0 dismantling of the Current. Of course that match was played in Florida whereas this week’s game is in the friendly confines of CPKC Stadium, a spot in which the Current haven’t lost a regular season match since…Orlando beat them there in July of 2024.

In recent years, fans of these two franchises have gotten used to a lot of winning. Starting in 2024 specifically, Kansas City and Orlando occupy the 1st and 4th places respectively in terms of total team wins in the league. 2024 was the year Orlando won the title, CPKC Stadium opened, Kansas City hired Vlatko, both Banda and Chawinga entered the league, etc. But, as much winning as they’ve done for a couple of seasons, 2026 has felt different. With turnover in (now) both head coaching spots (is there a chance Andonovski ends up in Orlando?!), the teams that, between them, won the last two league Shields, find themselves stressing over whether or not they’ll even qualify for the playoffs.

With that said, both of these sides have taken at least six points from the last three games and are capable of getting hot and burning up the standings. And speaking of hot, the last time these teams squared off in Kansas City, the game was delayed multiple times due to heat. Fortunately, the forecast is for somewhat milder conditions this weekend.

By the way, what is the only team (besides Denver Summit who they have yet to play at home) the Current have never defeated at CPKC Stadium? Yep…the Orlando Pride. Does that change this Friday night?

WHEN: Friday, September 11 at 7:00 PM (Central Time)

WHERE: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

HOW TO WATCH: Prime Video

Record:

KC Current: 11-4-8 (37 points, 7th place)

Orlando Pride: 9-2-12 (29 points, 11th place)

Last Match:

KC Current: 2-1 road win over Bay FC

Orlando Pride: 3-1 home win versus Houston Dash