Preview: FC Kansas City versus Sky Blue

FC Kansas City (3-1-1) will not have it easy when they attempt to keep up their winning ways at home Saturday evening. The visiting Sky Blue NJ (5-1-1) sits atop the standings with a three game win streak.

"They are at the top of the table for a good reason, they are a good team," Blues head coach Vlatko Andonovski stated. "The three forwards they have are amazing and their back line is solid. Christie Rampone being in charge of that line will make it hard for us to break down."

FC Kansas City central defender Lauren Sesselmann knows Rampone well. Lauren played with Sky Blue in the WPS and was a team mate with the U.S. National team star. "Rampone, I love her, she is a great individual and such a talented player, I learned a lot from her when I was there," explained Sesselmann. "I think it's going to be a really good game and I'm really looking forward to it. They are a very strong side, I think we are ready."

Sesselmann and Becky Sauerbrunn, her partner at center back were both a concern after the last match. Co-captain Sauerbrunn sat last match out nursing a hamstring and Sesselmann left the game early apparently hobbling and could be seen being supported by crutches after the match.

The Canadian National team defender plans on being available. "I'm good, I plan on playing. There will be a little something there but at the same time you play through the pain and don't worry about it," Sesselmann said after practice on Friday.

Coach Andonovski seemed upbeat that his team would be back to close to full strength. "Becky is back and Desiree is at full strength. Lauren got a little injury, she is a warrior, she wants to be back in the lineup, she practiced hard and is ready to go."

One of the concerns for FC Kansas City has been that the offence has been single threaded up top. As the ball moved through the midfield they tended to look for the lone forward Renae Cuellar. While that has been somewhat successful, Cuellar has four goals and has scored in every game they've won, look for the Blues to continue to push their midfield up a bit more. Last game they pressed more and Kristie Mewis had several blasts from distance that threatened the Boston goal.