Current Charter Grounded as FAA Halts Flights

The Kansas City Current's trip to New York was disrupted by a nationwide FAA flight stoppage ahead of Sunday's NWSL semifinal against Gotham FC.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Soccer

Current Charter Grounded as FAA Halts Flights

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The FAA halted all flights across America before 3 p.m. Central Time Friday, and the Kansas City Current's scheduled charter from Kansas City Downtown Airport to New York never took off. The club shifted its East Coast travel to Saturday and is working with the NWSL and its charter partner to arrive before Sunday's semifinal.

Why it matters

The disruption leaves the Current with a compressed schedule to reach New York for a playoff match against Gotham FC. The outcome affects how quickly the club can prepare for one of the NWSL's biggest games of the season.

This is the fourth meeting between the Current and Gotham FC, and Gotham won two of the previous three, one at home and one in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The semifinal kicks off at 2 p.m. Sunday at 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium, though the exact arrival time of the Current remains unannounced.

The players

Kansas City Current

The Kansas City Current is a professional women's soccer club competing in the National Women's Soccer League, based in the Kansas City area.

NJ/NY Gotham FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer club in the National Women's Soccer League, based in the New York and New Jersey region.

National Women's Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League is the top professional women's soccer league in the United States.

The details

The FAA halted all flights across the country before 3 p.m. Central Time Friday, grounding the Current's charter from Kansas City Downtown Airport. The club had planned to travel to the East Coast on Saturday and is collaborating with the NWSL and its charter partner to identify next steps. The semifinal has also been marred by scheduling conflicts and a shoddy pitch at Gotham's home venue, Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Timeline

  1. Friday, Nov. 13, before 3 p.m. Central Time: FAA halts all flights nationwide.

  2. Friday, Nov. 13, afternoon: Current charter to New York was scheduled but never departed Kansas City.

  3. Saturday, Nov. 14: Current travel to the East Coast rescheduled.

  4. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.: Current vs. Gotham FC NWSL semifinal kickoff at Icahn Stadium.

Season Trajectory

This disruption adds logistical pressure to a semifinal already complicated by venue and pitch concerns, extending a pattern of scheduling strain in the NWSL playoffs. Its outcome could shape how the Current approaches a match against a rival that has won two of their last three meetings.

Fans planning to attend or watch Sunday's semifinal should note the 2 p.m. kickoff at Icahn Stadium, a 5,000-seat venue. Fantasy and standings followers should track whether the Current's delayed arrival affects their preparation for the match.

The takeaway

Logistics can shape playoff outcomes as much as tactics, so fans should watch for official updates from the club and the NWSL on travel and match timing before Sunday's kickoff.

What happens next

The Current are scheduled to play Gotham FC in the NWSL semifinal at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at Icahn Stadium in New York City.

Further reading

For more local coverage, see Soccer on the Kansas City sports desk.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Kansas City Star.

Live Poll

Would you still book a flight if federal ground stops were becoming more common?