Michelle Cooper converted a 96th-minute penalty after a VAR review to send No. 4 Kansas City past No. 5 Angel City FC.
Kansas City got its revenge for last year's quarterfinal exit, beating Angel City FC 1-0 in extra time at CPKC Stadium to reach the NWSL semifinals. Angel City had arrived unbeaten in its last 10 games, but that streak means nothing now.
The winner came in the 96th minute, when referee Alexandra Billeter ruled that Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson had fouled Current center back Kayla Sharples in the penalty box during a scramble before a corner kick. A VAR check upheld the call. Michelle Cooper stepped up and drilled the penalty into the left side of the net, beating Anderson for the winner.
Angel City's coach was not pleased with the call, calling it tremendously cheap afterward. The result stands regardless, and Kansas City now moves on to the final four.
The Current will face the winner of Sunday's match between Gotham FC and the Seattle Reign in the semifinals.