Preview: Kansas City NWSL vs Washington Spirit

Kansas City NWSL (0-5-2) vs. Washington Spirit (2-1-3)

When: Saturday June, 26 at 7:30 PM CT

Where: Legends Field | Kansas City, Kansas

How to watch: Twitch

Radio: ESPN Kansas City 1510AM / 94.5 FM

Kansas City NWSL wraps up a tough stretch of three games in six days versus the top of the table when they host the Washington Spirit. This will be the first meeting of the two sides. The Spirit are in 4^th place, have not lost in their last four matches (D-D-W-W), and are well rested compared to the congestion weary Kansas City.

Manager Huw Williams and his squad are still looking for their first win as a franchise but will face a tough challenge. Kansas City had a good performance in a 1-0 loss at Portland last Sunday and then a tough loss at home against Orlando on Wednesday.

The home side was starting to get healthy and Williams had almost his whole roster available (even if some were on limited minutes), but the unavailable list is growing again with Elizabeth Ball out and Desiree Scott and Chloe Logarzo with their respective national teams.

On the bright side, forward Mariana Larroquette has had her best games since joining the team and seems to be adapting to what Kansas City needs and Jéssica Silva is getting fit and is showing a creative presence for KC NWSL. First round draft pick Kiki Pickett should be available and could be a speedy option for Kansas City.

Washington is loaded with talent like Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnet, Ashley Hatch and young star Trinity Rodman. The Spirit also have Kansas City native Dorian Bailey on their squad.

Keys to the game:

Be more clinical, be smarter in the attack - Huw Williams and his team are looking for a win to get the ship steered in a positive direction but with a four game losing streak, any result is a positive. KC NWSL has had portions of games where they were equal or better than their opposition but have failed to capitalize on those moments. Defensively they have been pretty good most of the time but struggled to score, often wasting opportunities to shoot to make one more pass.

Injury Report:

Kansas City

OUT: Elizabeth Ball (right thigh), Jordyn Listro (left lower leg), Diana Matheson (left foot), Sydney Miramontez (right foot), Arielle Ship (right lower leg)

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Chloe Logarzo (AUS), Desiree Scott (CAN)

Washington

OUT: Averie Collins (ACL-SEI), Jordan DiBiasi (right hip), Bayley Feist (ACL-SEI)