The Washington Spirit have a short turnaround this week. Just days after having their winning streak snapped, the team travels to Chicago for a mid-week match against the Red Stars.

Though still well-ranked, Washington Spirit (4-0-2) lost to Orlando Pride on Friday night and face a gauntlet of away games as they seek to return to their winning ways. Interim head coach Adrián González signalled that Paige Metayer’s start over Ashley Hatch last time was in part motivated by a desire to rest players in the first of four matches in 14 days. Expect more rotation in the Starting XI and earlier substitutions tonight than we’ve come to expect from this Spirit squad.

After finishing at the bottom of the NWSL table last year, the Chicago Red Stars (3-1-2) have turned things around quickly, thanks in large part to new owners. In the offseason, they brought on former Jamaican Women’s National Team coach Lorne Donaldson, bolstered their backline with former Spirit centerback Sam Staab, and ushered in the triumphant return from injury of Mallory Swanson. The Red Stars were taken down by a Sophia Smith brace over the weekend and will be looking for a big home win and a return to their defensive-minded control tonight.

González said his side would focus on avoiding counterattacks, keeping long periods of possession, and playing as much in Chicago’s half as possible.

“They don’t need, maybe, long possession; they don’t need to have the ball too much, but they are very, very clinical,” he said of the Red Stars. “So maybe with two, three approaches, they can score one, two goals. So we need to be ready for that, try to avoid those situations as much as possible.”

Key Player: Tara McKeown

In the second year of her forward-to-centerback conversion, Tara McKeown has continued a quiet competence in the backline. McKeown is often deployed effectively to shut down opposing superstars, as she did against Barbra Banda last week (while Banda remained on her side), and is . She is tied for the lead league-wide in clearances with 42 and is 6th in both tackles won and dribblers tackled.

Watch Out For: Mallory Swanson

Mallory Swanson returned to the pitch this season after a nearly year-long recovery for a patellar tear and already looks back in form. The star forward has two goals and one assist for Chicago so far and will be quick to take advantage of the Spirit’s high back line to score again tonight if she gets the opportunity.

Challenges: Faced with another superstar forward, the Spirit need to avoid defensive mistakes that could give their opponents easy goals. They’ve made two fouls in the box resulting in penalty kicks in just six games this season, putting both of those games out of their reach.

Previously: Last season, Washington lost one and drew one with Chicago.

Chicago Red Stars Availability:

Out: Ava Cook (SEI – leg), Sami Feller (SEI – hip)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Lyza Bosselmann (wrist), Anna Heilferty (SEI – knee), Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Makenna Morris (hip)

Questionable: 

Location: SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago, IL

Kickoff time: 8 p.m. ET

Referee: Alexandra Billeter

Available TV: Monumental Sports Network

Available streaming: NWSL+