Preview: Current hosts Tigres in Summer Cup

Kansas City Current vs Pachuca

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup | Match 3
Thursday, Aug 1 at 7 p.m. CT
CPKC Stadium
Broadcast: Paramount, CBSSN

The Kansas City Current close out NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup group play Thursday evening when they host Tigres UANL. The Current (2-0-0, 6 pts., 1st place Group C) have cruised through the first two matches with wins over Houston and Pachuca by scores of 3-1 and 3-0 respectively. Tigres (1-1-0, 3 pts., 2nd place Group C) rolled over Pachuca 4-2 and fell to the Dash 2-1 in a close match.

Tigres has a more dangerous attack than Pachuca or Houston with multiple talented attackers up top and in the midfield. “I personally think that they have better individuals (than previous opponents), head coach Vlatko Andonovski stated in the pre-match press conference. “When you look at Thembi Kgatlanta and (Jacqueline) Ovalle, Stephany Mayor, these are known attacking threats. They can score goals in different ways. They’re difficult to defend because they can come underneath the line and get the ball and eliminate players in one-on-one settings and shoot. But they can also get behind the line with speed, especially Kgatlana’s speed, she can get behind the line and score goals. So it is a little difficult team to defend, it is a little unpredictable team.”

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The one weakness for Tigres may be on defense. Pachuca fell 4-2 to them but was able to notch a pair of goals themselves. Houston has not been known for their offense this season and they were able to score twice on Tigres as well.

Defensive reinforcements

The Current have had their ups and downs on defense as well, especially early in the season. Andovoski stabilized his defense but injuries and international duty again put the backline in focus. In the first Summer Cup match against Houston, Andonovski was forced to roll out a backline composed of all outside backs and no center backs.

For the Pachuca match, Stine Ballisager returned from Europe and filled a regular center-back spot. Veteran Hailie Mace filled in the other center-back spot. Mace is more traditionally an outside player, either as a fullback or as a winger but has enough experience to shift into that role.

Hanna Glas also returned to Kansas City from Europe and was able to earn her first minutes for the Current. Veteran midfielder Allie Long also debuted in the last match after being signed as a free agent.

The Current made a trade recently and added veteran centerback Alana Cook from the Seattle Reign. The transfer window officially opens August 1st so Cook will be available for Andonovski to select. It would be surprising if she does not get at least some time if not starting.

Alana Cook in practice | Credit: Thad Bell

Availability

Kansas City Current

OUT: Elizabeth Ball (leg), Temwa Chawinga (leg), Alex Pfeiffer (SEI – knee), Gabrielle Robinson

(SEI – knee), Mallory Weber (SEI – knee), Bia Zaneratto (foot)

QUESTIONABLE: None

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Lauren (BRA), Nichelle Prince (CAN), Desiree Scott (CAN)

Tigres UANL

OUT: Tatiana Flores Dorrel (leg) and Ana Rita da Silva Seiça (leg)

QUESTIONABLE: None

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Jennifer Hermoso (ESP)