July 18, 2026
Photo by Jeff DeVries
By Andrew Mosier, WPSL Communications
RIVERSIDE, Mo. (July 18, 2026) — After watching the first semifinal of the day go into extra time in plus-100-degree heat, Kansas City Current II wanted to make sure it did not meet the same fate on Saturday at Riverside Stadium.
Goals in the first and 46th minutes, and a shutout by goalkeeper Evie Vitali negated any need for any time beyond regulation in Current II’s 2-0 win over five-time WPSL champions California Storm to advance to the WPSL Championships Final on Sunday.
“We always strive to be the best at everything we do,” Vasil Ristov, Kansas City Current II head coach, said. “To be playing in the league final in our first full season is a testament to the players, the staff, and the club.”
The start of the game could not have fit better into Kansas City Current II’s game play. The opening kickoff was played back to center back. Naila Schoefberger, who blasted the ball deep towards the California Storm’s goal. The usually unflappable Abbie Faingold hesitated coming off her line before rushing out of the penalty area to play the ball with her feet. Misplaying the ball slightly, Faingold’s clearance only went as far as Caroline Kelly forty yards from goal. Kelly chested the ball down to her right foot and lobbed Faingold, whose desperate attempt to get back was almost, but not quite enough, putting Current II up 1-0 in the first minute of the game.
The early goal forced Storm to chase the game in the oppressive heat.
“The heat was a very big factor in today’s game. We had to be smart about it. We had to play under control, so our players can push through it when they need to. Using our substitutes helped us manage the game, especially with the final tomorrow.”
With the goal cushion, Kansas City Current fell into a tight defensive shell as Storm pushed numbers forward. Storm finished with 17 shots on the day—10 on target, forcing Vitali to make 10 saves before the final whistle.
Current II finished the match with six total shots, with three on frame, giving Faingold one save on the match.
Coming out of the dressing room at halftime, Ristov encouraged his side to find that second goal. It took less than a minute when the club’s leading scorer, Avery Clark got on the end of a Chloe Guenther cross, nodding in the day’s second goal past Faingold in the 46th minute.
The final 44 minutes were that of attrition. Utilizing its deep bench, Current II absorbed everything Storm threw at them in textbook style.
The win puts Kansas City Current II on to the WPSL Championships Final versus New York Athletic Club on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT at Riverside Stadium.
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2026 WPSL Championships Semifinal Two
Saturday, July 18, 2026
12:40 p.m. CDT
Riverside Stadium
Riverside, Mo.
Box Score:
California Storm: 0
Kansas City Current II: 2
0-1: Kelly 1’
0-2: Clark 46’
Misconduct: None
California Storm: Abbie Faingold; Alex Kloss, Anna Gilbertson, Cassandra Travers, Ciara Wilson, Elizabeth Hutchison, Kennedy Mayo, Madison Ayson, Paige Thompson, Susie Long, Yasmin Azar. Substitutes: Ava Olimpiada, Camryn Dillingham, Ella Cochon, Jennifer Lawrence, Kaylen Crim, Savannah Schwarze, Taina Gervais.
Kansas City Current II: Evelyn Vitali; Skylar Blaise, Itala Gemelli, Naila Schoefberger, Chelsea Wagner; Chloe Guenther, Avery Clark, Talia Gabberra; Alexa Heredia-Beltran, Caroline Kelly, Jacy Hackler. Substitutes: Ally Henry, Brooklyn Robbins, Elle Kershner, Kaiya Brewer, Khari Hontz, Olivia Owens, Samantha Ogden, Syenna Haynesworth, Tori Vassor,Tori Vassor.
CR: Morgan Nathan
AR1: Ashley Cedro
AR2 Emily Brownback
4th: Danette Seffens
