Match preview: KC NWSL hosts the Chicago Red Stars @ Legends Field

Match Details

KC NWSL (0-0-2)
vs Chicago Red Stars (0-1-1)

When: Wednesday, May 26 | 7:00 PM CT

Where: Legends Field | Kansas City, KS

Live Stream: CBS Sports Network

Tickets: kcnwsl.com/3fNlMnp

After the first two games of the 2021 NWSL season on the road, Kansas City NWSL returns to KC for the team’s regular-season home opener against the Chicago Red Stars. It’s the second match of 2021 between the two sides. KC traveled to Chicago on April 21st for the Challenge Cup. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with a goal by Amy Rodriguez for KC.

A new era in KC, officially, begins

Kansas City has already hosted two NWSL games thus far, at Children's Mercy Park on April 26 and Legends Field on May 3, but there’s something about this particular home opener. For one, it’s the season home opener for KC, and there will be plenty more. But it’s also a celebration of women’s soccer in Kansas City. The club encourages supporters and businesses to celebrate “Teal Time” on Wednesday by wearing teal or team apparel in support of women’s sports.

On the pitch, the team hopes to continue its two-game unbeaten streak. KC earned a point against Racing Louisville in the season opener, a positive for the club, especially after a rough Challenge Cup campaign. It was also the team’s first clean sheet of 2021. On Sunday, KC NWSL earned another point against the Houston Dash after a stoppage-time tying goal by Taylor Leach.

Both games have shown an improvement from the struggles of the tournament, but KC is still looking for their first win of 2021. Their attack has produced the goals they’ve wanted, but the defense continues to make it easy for teams to equalize or take the lead. In Sunday’s game, the Houston Dash found two goals in the second half. Whatever solutions head coach Huw Williams has will need to come against a Chicago side that has Mallory Pugh, Kealia Watt, and Rachel Hill as attackers. Chicago is in last place in the NWSL standings, but they are a team that can figure out how to get on the winning side again.

KC NWSL Injury Report

OUT: Arielle Ship (Season-Ending - Right Lower Leg), Chloe Logarzo (Left Hip), Diana Matheson (Left Foot), Kiki Pickett (Right Thigh), Lo’eau LaBonta (Right Lower Leg), Elizabeth Ball (Suspension)

Questionable: Abby Smith (Right Quad), Kristen Edmonds (Left Achilles)

Projected Line Up: 4-3-3

Barnhart (GK)
Maemone, Corsie, Leach, Bowen
Vincent, Scott, Pickett
Larroquete, Rodriguez, Jenkins

Prediction: KC NWSL, 1-0