After an emotionally taxing win over Racing Louisville on Tuesday evening, Seattle Reign have a quick turnaround to face the top team in the league on Saturday. Kansas City Current is riding a 13-game unbeaten streak in league play, with their last loss coming way back at the start of May when they visited the Reign. Since that time they have 11 wins and two draws and have not given up a goal in NWSL play since a 4-2 win over Louisville in mid-June.

The Reign are 6-5-1 all time against the Current with 13 goals scored and 12 conceded, which includes a 2-4-0 record on the road. The last time these two sides met, a Lynn Biyendolo goal was the deciding factor in a defensive battle that saw both sides combine for less than 1.0 xG. Last week the Reign defeated Racing Louisville at home by a score of 1-0, while Kansas City battled to a 0-0 home draw against the Washington Spirit despite having a player advantage for nearly half an hour.

Keys to the game

Maintain defensive shape
Be disciplined in possession
Slow the tempo

Notes

Defender Ryanne Brown was activated off the long-term injury list on Friday and is available for selection following a lengthy rehab from an ACL injury suffered last summer, but is not expected to feature today. Lynn Biyendolo remains out while dealing with a persistent knee injury. Ana-Maria Crnogorčević picked up an ankle knock during training on Monday and also out.
The NWSL Shield will be in the stadium this evening. A Kansas City win would secure the trophy and set a new record for the earliest that a team has clinched the top of the table, surpassing the 2014 Reign and 2018 Courage. KC is already assured a top-two finish.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (knee), Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (ankle), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Cassie Miller (D45 – leg)

Current: OUT: Alana Cook (SEI – knee), Vanessa DiBernardo (maternity leave), Clare Gagne (SEI – head), Kristen Hamilton (hip)
QUESTIONABLE: Temwa Chawinga (knee), Michelle Cooper (thigh)