Angel City FC suffered a 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Kansas City Current in extra time at CPKC Stadium, with the defeat hinging on a penalty call. Referee Alexandra Billeter awarded a penalty after Kansas City defender Kayla Sharples was knocked over on a corner kick, resulting in a goal by Current forward Michelle Cooper in the 96th minute. Interim head coach Leif Smerud described the penalty as tremendously cheap and harsh, noting that at this level such calls happen frequently.
Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson and midfielder Ary Borges both made contact with Sharples before the decision. Captain Sarah Gorden called the call disappointing and said the penalty seems very harsh and very strange. Kansas City head coach Chris Armas defended the referee's decision, emphasizing his trust in VAR.
Cooper, who stepped up to finish the penalty as her first of the season, said the team had momentum but the penalty was the deciding factor. Both teams had scored 54 goals each in the regular season, with Angel City on an unbeaten 10-game streak heading into the playoffs.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing