Preview: FC Kansas City host revamped Seattle Reign

FC Kansas City hosts the Seattle Reign today in what should be a much better matchup than would appear by their positions in the standings. The Blues are 3-0 against the Reign this season but this is a much improved Seattle team over their previous meetings.

Over the last few weeks the Reign have revamped their team through players returning from injury, players joining the team as their European team finished and through trades. U.S. National Team keeper Hope Solo came back from off season surgery to tend the nets. While she is no stranger to controversy, she is also one of the best keepers in the world and can keep a team in a game even when they are being outplayed.

Another U.S. National team player has made a huge impact for the Reign, Megan Rapinoe has scored two goals after joining the team six games ago (the same stretch that Seattle has been undefeated). Rapinoe is a force on the field no matter where she plays and will draw the attention of Kansas City defenders.

The Reign picked up Jessica McDonald off of waivers from the Red Stars and they are certainly happy with that move. She has three goals and an assist in three games for Seattle.

Another new face in Seattle is a familiar one for Kansas City fans. Mexican National team forward Renae Cuellar was traded from the Blues in exchange for fellow Mexican Teresa Noyola.

While the Reign have made significant improvements and are riding a six game undefeated streak, none of that success has come against a top three team, only Western NY was in the upper half of the table and they have been struggling the last few games. This will be Seattle's toughest match since they started their turnaround.

The Blues are also undefeated in six games and are finally hitting the point where they have all of their players healthy, not called up to national team duty or away getting married.

Lauren Holiday (nee Cheney) has cemented her place as one of the top players in the league. She is third in goals and second in assists despite missing four games and has been a role model for her team as co-captain.

Erika Tymrak has also really started to show what she can do over the last few weeks as well. Since stepping in to the starting role she has quickly blossomed and is now a scoring and playmaking threat to match Holiday in the midfield.

Game view: Look for Seattle to be more dangerous going forward than in the previous meetings but much of the battle should take place in the midfield.

When and where: 7:35p.m. on Verizon Wireless Field at Shawnee Mission District Stadium