Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga suffered a right leg injury during a pivotal away match against the Houston Dash on Saturday evening. This unfortunate incident occurred in the first half and ultimately contributed to the Current’s 1-0 defeat, marking their third loss this season.
Injury Details
The injury happened in the 25th minute when Chawinga lay on the pitch, clearly in distress and grasping her upper leg. A trainer quickly entered the field, and after a couple of minutes, she was assisted off the pitch in a wheelchair with help from teammate Izzy Rodriguez. Nichelle Prince, a Canadian international, replaced her.
Coach’s Comments
Current head coach Vlatko Andonovski provided an update on Chawinga’s condition. “We don’t have an exact update on her,” he stated, mentioning she was undergoing an MRI at that moment. He clarified, “It’s not her knee; it’s just the upper leg.”
Andonovski explained the decision to play Chawinga, who was marked as questionable due to a prior knee issue but felt fit enough to compete. “She felt very good,” he noted. “It’s a freak accident.”
Chawinga’s Performance
At 27, Chawinga is not only the reigning NWSL MVP but also the Golden Boot winner, leading the league currently with 15 goals in just 22 appearances. The Current have had an impressive season, clinching the league shield ahead of schedule and earning a record 62 points.
Chawinga’s success has garnered her international recognition. She’s been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, where she ranked 17th, and was also nominated for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) women’s Player of the Year award. She and her sister, Tabitha, who plays for OL Lyon, have been called up for the Malawi national team.
The Match Highlights
The Dash, needing a win, initiated the match with aggressive play, despite only managing six shots throughout the game, half of which were on target. The game’s only goal came in the 69th minute from Ryan Gareis, who scored with a left-footed shot following a well-placed cross from Yazmeen Ryan.
Post-Match Reactions
Nichelle Prince reflected on the challenge of replacing Chawinga. “Temwa’s shoes are hard to fill,” she admitted. She acknowledged that the team created opportunities but needed to be more clinical. The defeat serves as a learning experience for the Current as they prepare for future matches.
Despite the loss, the Current’s position remains strong as they look ahead to the playoffs scheduled for November 22.
