Preview/Match Thread: KC Current vs Washington Spirit

NWSL Matchday 12

Who:  Kansas City Current (3-8-0, 9 pts) vs Washington Spirit (5-1-5, 20 pts)

When: Sunday, June 18^th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. CT

Where: Children’s Mercy Park| Kansas City

Watch:  Paramount+

Listen: KC Current Radio on the Kansas City Current app

The Kansas City Current (3-8-0, 9 pts) host top of the table Washington Spirit (5-1-5, 20 pts)) at Children’s Mercy Park Sunday evening at 6:00 pm. The Spirit are tied for first while the Current are in 12^th place.

The Current are fresh off a midweek 4-0 thrashing of the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Spirit lost 2-1 at home to the North Carolina Courage in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday. Both teams are playing their third match in a week and will be challenged with tired legs.

This will likely be the last match until after the World Cup for Kansas City superstar Debinha as she is sure to be called up by Brazil.

The Challenge Cup victory boosted spirits for the Current who have struggled for consistency all season. A dominating four goal performance put smiles on all the players faces. Coach Caroline Sjöblom told the KC Soccer Journal on Friday, “The energy in the morning meeting was fantastic. We watched the goals but also looked at some things we can do better. Of course there are things we need to do better in the game even when we win with big numbers.”

Availability:

Kansas City Current

OUT: 

Hanna Glas (D45 – knee)

Lo’eau LaBonta (R Knee),
Claire Lavogez (SEI – knee)
Alex Loera (foot)
Sam Mewis (SEI – knee)
Desiree Scott (D45 – knee)
Mallory Weber (SEI – knee)

Jordan Silkowitz (hand)

QUESTIONABLE:

Washington Spirit
OUT:
Anna Heilferty (SEI – knee)

ori Huster (SEI – lower leg)

Bayley Feist (D45 – lower leg)

Maddie Elwell (thigh)

QUESTIONABLE:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas City Current midfielder Morgan Gautrat – Gautrat made her first start for the Current midweek and may not be ready for extended minutes but her leadership will be crucial to get a result.

Washington attacker Trinity Rodman –  Rodman is a dynamic, speedy and craft attacker and the Current will be challenged by one of the best forwards in the league.

Officials

Referee: Natalie Simon

Assistant Referees: Matthew

Schwartz, Sharon Gingrich

4th Official: Emily Gomez

VAR: Kevin Terry, Jr

AVAR: Chad Lowman