Match Preview: KC Current at Bay FC

The Kansas City Current are finally coming off a long awaited win after they defeated the NC Courage last week, closing a month long window of going winless. The last game seemed to be a tale of two halves as they rocked their way through halftime as they failed to keep that momentum steady. They travel to the Bay as they go against some familiar faces.

Match Details

Kansas City Current @ Bay FC

PayPal Park | San Jose, California @ 9:00 pm CT

TV: Prime Video 

Radio: KC Current Radio

Kansas City’s Struggling Road Trips

The Current’s home versus away records are night and day. Sitting seventh on the table, if you looked at just their home games, Kansas City would sit first overall. But with just seven points from their 14 away games, the Current currently have a 2-11-1 road record, with their last road win coming July 3 at Denver. Meanwhile, Bay FC has struggled to turn PayPal Park into a true home-field advantage. Their home record has earned them a similar 11 points, though their last home win came just two weeks ago against Houston. These are the types of games the Current need to capitalize on, as they look to collect as many points as possible while trying to squeeze into a home-field advantage spot for the playoffs.

While KC looks to overcome its road struggles, the Current are also working with a depleted roster and a particularly thin back line. In their last match, Kansas City was already without Ellie Bravo-Young (now on maternity leave, congrats!), while Laney Rouse continues to work her way back from injury, Elizabeth Ball got the start at right back. In the 24th minute, Gabrielle Robinson subbed out due to injury, Ball slid into the centreback position, bringing Katie Scott to fill in the backline. Now Scott has departed for the U-20’s Women’s World Cup. The Current did sign a defender today, but she is awaiting for her P-1 visa, which leaves a right back spot wide open if Rouse isn’t fully fit. Running at that weakened back line is an extra motivated Bay team featuring several young former KC players. Alex Pfeiffer’s mutually terminated contract this offseason came as a shock to fans, as it allowed her to leave on a free transfer. Meanwhile the major three-team trade that brought Croix Bethune to Kansas City sent Claire Hutton, a prominent young USWNT midfielder, to Bay FC. With Kansas City trying to finally find a win on the road, and several former Current players lining up on the other side, this matchup may have more at stake than the standings alone.

Availability Report

KANSAS CITY CURRENT

OUT: Ellie Bravo-Young (Maternity Leave), Alana Cook (Knee – SEI), Clare Gagne (Head – SEI), Mary Long (D-45), Kolo Suliafu (Thigh)
QUESTIONABLE: Temwa Chawinga (Illness), Gabrielle Robinson (Knee)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Katie Scott (U.S. U-20)

BAY FC

OUT: Anouk Denton (Lower Leg), Caprice Dydasco (Maternity Leave), Alyssa Malonson (Knee – SEI), Emily Menges (Excused Absence), Maddie Moreau (Suspension)
QUESTIONABLE: None
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Kennedy Fuller (USA)