Penelope Hocking issued one-match suspension

Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Kansas City Current forward Penelope Hocking was issued a one-match suspension following a review by the NWSL Disciplinary Committee of an incident in the 75th minute of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Boston in which Hocking stood on the hair of Legacy midfielder Alba Caño.

“The Disciplinary Committee determined that the incident rose to the level of a violation of Section 12.4.11, ‘Major Game Misconduct,’ of the League Operations Manual,” the NWSL said in a statement on Tuesday. Initially, in-game, “the step onto the hair was deemed accidental” by referee Matthew Corrigan and not cautioned.

Ref Matthew Corrigan on the Caño/Hocking situation:"The challenge was committed in a careless manner and did not rise to the level of a caution. The step onto the hair was deemed accidental."

— Jackie Contreras (@jackiedigital.bsky.social) 2026-07-26T00:11:32.751Z

Hocking will serve the suspension during Kansas City’s Wednesday night matchup against Racing Louisville.

Hocking has played 212 minutes in 10 games for the Current this season, having joined in an offseason trade from Bay FC in exchange for $350,000 in intra-league transfer funds. Shortly after joining the Current, Hocking signed a new contract through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. She has yet to score or assist a goal for Kansas City this season.