Preview: First Place Casey’s current trip to Chicago and how to watch it

Match: Chicago Red Stars (7-5-6, 27 points) vs. Kansas City Current (9-4-5, 32 points)

When: Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. CT

Where: Seatgeek Stadium – Bridgeview, Illinois

See: Paramount +

Listen: N/A

First place Kansas City current (9-4-5, 32 pts) will stay on the road to visit the Chicago Red Stars (7-5-6, 27 pts). The current 1-0 saw NY/NJ Gotham FC extend their losing streak to 13 with a 1-0 win on Sunday, but they won’t have much time to rest on a quick turnaround as the sixth-placed Red Stars battle to stay in that final spot. Playground.

In their last thirteen games, they have won nine, drawn four and scored at least once in every game, the longest streak in the league. The Red Stars have three wins in their last nine (3-4-2), none of which have come against a playoff contender.

Last Meeting: These two teams played to a 2-2 draw when they met in mid-June. It was a relatively even game in the first half with Kansas City taking the lead on a goal by Christian Hamilton. Chicago scored goals in the second half from Amanda Kowalski and Mallory Pugh. Recently acquired CeCe Kizer is up at 68.^Th Minutes assisted by Elise Bennett. It may have been in Kansas City’s favor, but standout defender Elizabeth Ball fell in the 25^Th Minutes with injuries. It was the fourth win in Kansas City’s unbeaten streak. The current one also beat the Red Stars twice in the NWSL Challenge Cup with a score of 2-1.

Thad Bell

After winning in New York (ish), the current jumped to first place

Kansas City’s last match was against the NY/NJ Gotham Courage and the current one came away with all three points at the Red Bull Arena. Hayley Massey converted a late penalty to make it 1-0 after Lo Labonta was sent off. It wasn’t their best game of the season, but they proved they can get results on a wet night in New Jersey.

Coach’s thoughts on the opponent

“They have challenges like any team, losing players like we have and other teams have,” explained current head coach Matt Potter. “Obviously they are still a talented team and they are led by exceptional players. If not in the elite in the world game in their position. Whether it’s Alyssa (Naher) or Mal Pugh in goal. She’s the player everyone’s talking about and rightly so, she’s probably a real MVP candidate. Very smart, organized, very possessive. I was a big fan of Chris Petrucelli’s team play and organization.

“We expect a big challenge, especially at home and especially for the team in the playoffs. The truth is that we have spent all seasons as hunters and now we are being hunted a bit. It’s a different feeling, a different situation that we find ourselves in now,” Potter added.

Availability

KC Current

out of N/A

Can be asked: N/A

International Obligation: N/A

Gotham FC

out of N/A

Can be asked: N/A

International Obligation: N/A

Players to watch

Kansas City’s current forward Christine Hamilton – The current trio are tied on six goals, but Hamilton is the one to watch. She played a lot of minutes, getting subbed just a couple of times but still running and getting out every break. If Kansas City needs a late goal, Hamilton can step up when needed.

Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh — Pugh is fresh off a good pair of games against the United States national team, leading the Red Stars with eight goals and five assists. Pugh is dangerous wherever she is on the pitch and a potentially tiring current backline will have to keep an eye on the 24-year-old forward.