Match Preview: KC Current at Seattle Reign

So…

As much as the NWSL likes to boast about parity, if there has been a slam dunk in this league over the past couple of years, it’s been being able to count on a win against a Mal Swanson-less Chicago Stars team. Through one week this season, that played out after Angel City smacked the Stars to the tune of a four-goal defeat. But, the Stars (and the blustery Lake Michigan elements) proved too much for the Current as the Teal limped out of Chicago having been unable to mount a second consecutive comeback.

And the road doesn’t get any easier as KC has exactly two days off before meeting the Seattle Reign (in Spokane!) this Wednesday. With the Reign’s usual facility undergoing renovations ahead of the World Cup, the team has decided to play nearly 300 miles away in the eastern part of the state. The turf field may again provide the Current some challenges as they attempt to regroup and still earn some points on this three-match road trip.

The Reign will be especially motivated, playing in front of a new set of fans and looking to bounce back from their own disappointing defeat over the weekend. Seattle played the Portland Thorns on Friday (giving them two extra days of rest on the Current) and ended up losing 0-2 despite playing most of the game with a player advantage and most of the second half with a two-player advantage. The Reign did defeat the Orlando Pride on the road to open the season, and so, like the Current, will be eager to return to winning ways.

For the hosts this Wednesday night, there hasn’t been much in the way of player transactions since the end of 2025. Former Current and USWNT star Lynn Biyendolo is out on maternity leave. Rising national team defender Jordyn Bugg has started the season on the injury list with a hamstring issue. The team’s first goal of the year came from the ageless Welsh international Jess Fishlock (now 39 years old). Their only other high-profile acquisition in recent seasons was when Mia Fishel shifted over to the team from Chelsea last summer. Additionally, they are anchored by another USWNT star with Claudia Dickey in goal.

Besides these players, the team really seems to be relying on continued growth from a young core. In their final home game of 2025, the Seattle supporters group raised a tifo that represented the symbolic passing of the torch from the era of Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Barnes, and Jess Fishlock to the younger generation of Reign players. (The supporters group has also had things to say of the team’s owners, the Carlyle Group, who have had their fair share of controversies.)

The Reign have never really been known as a goal-scoring juggernaut, scoring only 32 goals in 2025 (compared to 49 for the Current). Despite that, they have traditionally been one of the better teams in the league, winning the NWSL Shield thrice thus far. They finished fifth last year and were bounced by the Pride in the quarterfinals. They are led by longtime coach, and occasional ChatGPT user, Laura Harvey and were one of only three teams to defeat the Current in the regular season last year.

Meanwhile, for Kansas City, they find themselves in the unusual and uncomfortable position of needing to improve–quickly. In 26 matches last year, the Current conceded just 13 times, an average of 0.5 goals per game. In two matches this season, they have already allowed 3 goals (to teams that have frequently struggled to score) for an average of 1.5 goals per game. That’s a full goal per game worse than they averaged all of last year. They also seem to have reverted to their 2024 identity of not knowing how to defend corner kicks. (Gabby Robinson had a game to forget in the center of the defense on Sunday as she “assisted” on Chicago’s first goal and lost her mark on their second.)

The Current’s defensive decline is surprising as that’s the part of the pitch that saw the least turnover after last season. Yes, Alana Cook is still working her way back from injury, and yes, Hailie Mace is now wearing the Orlando purple, but Lorena is still in goal and most of the other defenders that set a record for best defensive performance in league history are back. However, the other (huge) departure of the offseason was Claire Hutton, the primary defensive midfielder over the past two seasons. The team has used a makeshift lineup that has included LaBonta, Rocky Rodríguez, Robinson, Feist, and Scott in that role and they haven’t yet gotten the same production that Hutton was able to provide.

As for the team’s offense, it’s the same old refrain of no Chawinga, no real attacking identity. Yes, they have scored three times thus far, but all too often, a promising buildup leads to nothing as there isn’t the proven goal scorer (Bia’s absence here hurts as well) to finish. Chawinga looks to be getting close to a return to action, and when she is back on the field, almost certainly the team’s presence in front of goal will improve.

Finally, the verdict is still out on Chris Armas as a coach. Yes, it’s early days still and he is operating without a complete roster. However, when looking at the five game stretch of Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Washington, and Gotham, the match where it seemed most important to secure the full three points would have been the visit to the Stars. Now Armas and the rest of the team will need to head into the Pacific Northwest (or whatever you’d call Spokane) and find a way to a win.

Back at it Wednesday 🔜@CPKCrail | #KCBABY pic.twitter.com/gAAUeexVkB

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) March 22, 2026

WHEN: Wednesday, March 25 at 8:00 PM (Central Time)

WHERE: ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane, Washington

HOW TO WATCH: NWSL+ / 38 the Spot

Record:

KC Current: 1-0-1 (3 points, 6th place)

Seattle Reign FC: 1-0-1 (3 points, 9th place)

Last Match:

KC Current: 1-2 away defeat to Chicago Stars

Seattle Reign FC: 0-2 away defeat at Portland Thorns