The Utah Royals’ pursuit of an NWSL playoff spot was hampered by a familiar nemesis on Saturday.

The Kansas City Current beat the Royals 2-0 at America First Field in Sandy, with Haley Hopkins scoring both goals.

With the win, the Current (14-9-5) leapfrogged the Royals (14-10-4) in the standings, taking over fourth place.

The Royals could have clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with a victory and some help from other results around the league. Utah has two regular-season games remaining, beginning Friday (7:30 p.m., NWSL+, KMYU) at home against the Seattle Reign.

The Royals played without their leading scorer, as Mina Tanaka (nine goals) was sidelined by a hamstring injury. Her Japan international teammate Miyabi, a defender, was also out, with a hip injury.

The Current got their first goal in the 21st minute, with Hopkins scoring on a header off a corner kick from Vanessa DiBernardo.

They doubled their advantage in the first minute of stoppage time, with two-time league MVP Temwa Chawinga getting an assist with a pass to Hopkins on a fast break. Hopkins now has 11 goals on the season.

The Royals have lost to the Current in all six of their meetings.

Just before halftime, the Current missed an opportunity for a second goal. They intercepted Brecken Mozingo’s corner kick, leading to a fast break for Chawinga, who drilled a shot off the crossbar.

The Current also put the ball in the net twice in the second half but were called for offside, before Hopkins scored the insurance goal.