PREVIEW: FC Kansas City to face Washington Spirit in quick rematch

KANSAS CITY (July 16, 2024) — For the second time in as many weeks, FC Kansas City is preparing to face the Washington Spirit. This time however, the match is at home, where the Blues hold a 3-0-1 advantage in the series. The game is set to start at 6 p.m. at Swope Soccer Village.

Washington won the previous match 2-0 on July 2 at Maryland SoccerPlex with goals from Francisca Ordega and Tori Huster. Both goals game in the final 11 minutes of the match.

The Blues bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Portland Thorns FC on Saturday to improve their record to 3-5-4. Shea Groom scored off two assists from Tiffany McCarty and now ranks first on the team with four this season.

The Spirit also won their last contest, topping the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 at home.

FC Kansas City is playing without Becky Sauerbrunn and Heather O’Reilly, who are training with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team. Sauerbrunn was named to the 18-woman roster on Tuesday and O’Reilly will travel as an alternate. Desiree Scott will represent Canada on its Olympic squad and Katie Bowen is set to join New Zealand.

Their absences have opened up the field for 2024 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft picks Brianne Reed, Alexa Newfield and Alex Arlitt to record a combined 10 starts. The other rookie is Katie Bowen, who has played seven and started six games with the Blues.

Crystal Dunn, Ali Kreiger, Stephanie Labbe, Diana Matheson and Shelina Zadorsky will represent the Spirit on United States and Canadian Olympic rosters.

The Blues will hit the road for their next two matches at the Western New York Flash and the Chicago Red Stars and then play three of the next four in Kansas City.