The Washington Spirit are finally back home after a long away trip and ready to take on Angel City FC in Buzzard Point tonight.

Washington Spirit (6-0-3) have had a great start to their season, but they need to keep earning points if they want to stay competitive with the likes of undefeated Kansas City and surging Portland Thorns. They’ve struggled with finishing and allowing early goals, but the team is stacked with talented young players and adept at solving problems mid-game. With a full week’s rest, the energy of a home crowd, and the potential return of Makenna Morris — who is finally off the “Out” list after several weeks — to bolster their bench, the Spirit could have a big win in them tonight.

Angel City FC (3-1-4) are also reliant on a number of young players, having brought more than one U18 player onto the roster over the offseason. Coached by Becki Tweed, they’ve shown a fair amount of tactical flexibility this year, adapting their formation to suit the needs of the game. ACFC will be motivated by a search for redemption after their loss to Houston Dash last week. In that match, they dominated play but couldn’t find the back of the net and had a draw snatched away in the last minute by a player they’d traded away just a couple weeks before.

Key Player: Aubrey Kingsbury

Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury’s saves kept the Spirit on top last week, stopping a penalty and preventing an equalizer during Louisville’s second-half onslaught. As captain, Kingsbury takes a leading role in organizing her team on the field and has earned confidence with the ball at her feet to help build out of the back.

Watch Out For: Claire Emslie

One of Angel City’s most dangerous attackers is Scottish forward Claire Emslie, who leads her team with 5 goals and 24 chances created this season. Often teamed up with Alyssa Thompson and Sydney Leroux in the front, Emslie will test the Spirit’s defense — an area in which they have little depth.

Challenges: Though they’ve been winning, Washington have kept few clean sheets this season, and Angel City will be all too happy to slip a goal or two by them for a smash-and-grab victory, if the Spirit aren’t organized tonight.

Previously: The Spirit were victorious in both matches against ACFC last season.

Angel City FC Availability:

Out: Meggie Dougherty Howard (lower leg), Elizabeth Eddy (upper leg), Jun Endo (SEI – knee), Casey Phair (International duty – KOR), Christen Press (SEI – knee), Ali Riley (upper leg)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

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

Questionable: Makenna Morris (hip)

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m.
Referee: Anya Voigt
Available TV: Ion