FC Kansas City vs Sky Blue preview

The defending NWSL champion FC Kansas City hosts Sky Blue FC to open the season this afternoon at Sporting Park. The Blues will look to continue a 13 game home undefeated streak and take advantage of the larger than normal expected crowd.

With numerous veteran US National team stars and young players hungry for goals and looking to get to that level, the defending champs return a strong team from last season. A team that prides itself on possession, passing and attacking, the Blues are itching to put the large, quality surfaces at Sporting Park and Swope Soccer Village to good use this season. With Sky Blue and US defender Christie Rampone doubtful for the game with a knee strain, FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski will be expecting more "Holiday to Rodriguez" scoring opportunities on the large grass field at Sporting Park.

Sky Blue FC hope to improve in the standings and make the playoffs this year. Coach Jim Gabarra will be relying heavily on Denmark international Nadia Nadim through the first half of the season when his US and Australian stars will be at the World Cup. Nadim will be a challenge for FC Kansas City's revamped back line.

See FC Kansas City team preview

If Andonovski goes with his normal 4-2-3-1, his lineup may look like this:

Barnhart

Robinson - LePeilbet - Sauerbrunn - Moros

Averbuch - Buczkowski

O'Reilly - Holiday -Tymrak

Rodriguez

The game is at 3:00 PM at Sporting Park and can also be viewed online here.