NWSL playoffs: Cooper’s extra-time penalty sends Kansas City through as Utah stun San Diego

Michelle Cooper strikes in extra time to lift CurrentKansas City extend unbeaten home record with 1-0 winSeventh-seeded Utah Royals upset San Diego WaveMichelle Cooper converted an extra-time penalty to give the Kansas City Current a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.The fourth-seeded Current will face the winner of Sunday’s quarter-final between top-seeded Gotham FC and No 8 Seattle Reign FC in next weekend’s semi-finals. Continue reading…

Michelle Cooper’s extra-time penalty lifted Kansas City past Angel City while Utah Royals stunned second-seeded San Diego in the NWSL playoffs Michelle Cooper converted an extra-time penalty to give the Kansas City Current a 1-0 victory over Angel City on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs. The fourth-seeded Current will face the winner of Sunday’s quarter-final between top-seeded Gotham FC and No 8 Seattle Reign FC in next weekend’s semi-finals. Kansas City, the only NWSL team to finish the regular season unbeaten at home, extended that run into the postseason.

Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made five saves in regulation. Four minutes into extra time, Kansas City defender Izzy Rodriguez sent in a corner kick. Before the ball went over the crossbar, Current defender Kayla Sharples went to ground near the goal line after contact with Anderson and midfielder Ary Borges. Kansas City were awarded a penalty, which Cooper converted. The teams combined for 25 fouls in a physical encounter. Fifth-seeded Angel City collected three yellow cards in regulation, the first in the 13th minute