As Patrick Mahomes works through one of the toughest stretches of his career, his attention has quietly shifted beyond the sidelines. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, currently rehabbing a significant knee injury, found a different reason to engage with Kansas City sports this week, and it came courtesy of a standout performance from Haley Hopkins.
Hopkins, a forward for the Kansas City Current, delivered a defining moment in the club’s early 2026 campaign, scoring a hat trick in a dominant 6-1 win over SE Palmeiras in the Teal Rising Cup final.
It was the first hat trick ever recorded at CPKC Stadium, and only the second in franchise history and a milestone that quickly caught Mahomes‘ attention.
The three-time Super Bowl champion, who is also a co-owner of the Current alongside Brittany Mahomes, reshared footage of Hopkins‘ performance on social media, amplifying what is quickly becoming one of the biggest individual moments of the team’s season.
For Kansas City, the timing could not have been more important. The Current entered the match looking to halt a frustrating dip in form, having stumbled through a rare losing streak after a strong 2025 season. Hopkins changed that narrative in emphatic fashion.
Her three goals not only secured silverware but also reignited belief within a squad searching for rhythm. By the end of the night, she had been named the competition's Most Valuable Player for the second straight year which was a reflection of both her consistency and her ability to deliver in decisive moments.
Head coach Chris Armas emphasized the significance of that shift after the match. “Energy is contagious within a team… and so is winning,” he said. “That’s why it’s really important that the team experiences winning and scoring.”
For a team aiming to reassert itself among the league's elite, performances like Hopkins‘ may prove pivotal.
Why Mahomes is watching closely
Mahomes‘ reaction was more than a casual endorsement. Since joining the ownership group, he has been closely tied to the Current‘s rapid rise, both as a visible supporter and as part of the broader investment in women’s soccer in Kansas City.
The opening of CPKC Stadium, the first venue built specifically for a women’s professional team, marked a turning point for the franchise. Financial growth has followed, with the Current emerging as one of the most valuable teams in the league.
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Hopkins‘ emergence fits neatly into that trajectory. As the club continues to expand its profile, standout individual performances only accelerate its momentum.
For Mahomes, currently navigating his own recovery from an ACL injury, those moments offer a different perspective on competition that still keeps him closely connected to the city’s sporting identity.
A rising profile with bigger expectations ahead
The challenge for Hopkins now is sustaining that level. Breakout performances can elevate a player’s status quickly, but consistency is what defines long-term impact.
Kansas City returns to NWSL action against the Washington Spirit on April 24, providing the next opportunity to build on that momentum. With confidence restored, the Current will look to translate their cup success into league form.
Meanwhile, Mahomes‘ timeline remains uncertain. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has expressed optimism about a potential return early in the season, but recovery from such an injury rarely follows a fixed schedule.
In the meantime, Kansas City‘s biggest star has already found a compelling storyline to follow and one centered on a forward whose rise is beginning to demand wider attention.
