For perhaps the first time this season, the Kansas City Currents finished the game feeling truly disappointed. Schedulers, the weather, and Jane Campbell all played havoc with Kansas City's plans to open this busy week.
Soccer can sometimes feel like a special sport where one team is clearly superior but never wins. That was certainly the case Sunday against Texas, where the Currents outscored the Houston Dash 29-8 but failed to capitalize on most chances and had to settle for a tie before giving up a goal to the Dash. some sloppy play One of the few to invade KC territory. Perhaps this outcome was inevitable. KC has far exceeded expected goals for most of the season, but xG would have scored at least two goals this weekend. This compares to his 0.2 xG in Houston.
KC Current needs to forget his disappointment soon. Because just 72 hours after leaving the field in Houston, they will head to the field in Washington to take on Seattle Reign FC (nee OL Reign, Reign FC). ,Such). Not only will the Reigns have the advantage of two extra days of rest, but they will also play at home on Friday and remain at home for Wednesday's game. Emotions may also be running high as Laura Harvey's women's team overcame a red card and a goal to come from behind to win their last game against the Waves.
But excuses are for people who are not good enough, and all evidence shows that current is good enough to endure any adverse situation.
Despite Friday's win, Laine finds himself in unfamiliar territory a quarter of the way into the season. Turning the clock back to November, Seattle will clash with Gotham in the NWSL Championship, currently sitting in 11th place with just two wins from seven games. The team's goal difference this season is -3, and their recent win followed a five-game losing streak.
Reigns have traditionally been so consistent and successful that Harvey was included as a shortlist for the USWNT coaching position (which would eventually go to Chelsea's Emma Hayes) following Vlatko's departure. It was rumored that it would happen, but that consistent success was not seen in 2024. The club said goodbye to legend Megan Rapinoe in the offseason and has been dealing with several injuries (Claudia Dickey, Jordyn Huytema and Quinn were “absent” for Friday's game), but still has talent. It boasts a rich roster. Alana Cook, Ji So-yun, Jess Fishlock and Sofia Huerta are all on their respective national team rosters. Ziara King will not be able to play during the reign after receiving the aforementioned red card.
Current, meanwhile, enter Wednesday's game in the unusual position of having to look up to another team that occupies the top spot in the league standings. Like KC, the Orlando Pride are undefeated this season. They have 18 points with 5 wins and 3 draws, one more than Current's 17 points. However, they have played one more game than KC, so if Current wins on Wednesday, they can regain their rightful first place.
One of the main questions we have to ask heading into this Lumen Field matchup is what lineup Kansas City will field. Will Bea make the trip to the northwest now that he is unable to play in this weekend's game? Did Mace suffer a serious injury on Sunday? Which players would need rest after a highly unusual (4-hour “halftime”) game in Houston? Will players who have fallen or have yet to make their debut with the team (Hamilton, Scott, Prince, etc.) be given a chance to play? Who is the team's starting center back? Ball? Robinson? Barisager? What about the starting forwards? When healthy, Bia and Chawinga are clearly his two, but is Spaanstra definitively his third? If Bia can't go yet, Laboges will continue to hold the number 9 spot. Will it be?
Vlatko was praised for pulling the right strings in the second half against Angel City, but things didn't work out in Houston. If he and his staff can navigate this tight schedule and get a win out of Seattle, they'll get paid. Especially if he can follow up with his next W against Karage in a few days.
When: Wednesday, May 8th, 9:00 PM (Central Time)
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
How to watch: 38 The Spot/NWSL+
record:
Current: 5-2-0 (17 points, 2nd place)
Seattle Reign FC: 2-0-5 (6 points, 11th place)
last match:
KC Current: Draw 1-1 away against Houston Dash
Seattle Reign FC: 2-1 home win over San Diego Wave
