For the second and final time this season, Washington Spirit will face Seattle Reign FC on the pitch tonight, this time with a home field advantage. It’s a relatively short time since these teams played in mid-March, but that gives us an opportunity to check in on how both teams have fared since Opening Day as the halfway mark of the season approaches.

Seattle (2-1-7) started their season with a win over the Spirit and plenty of good vibes as they shed the Olympique Lyonnais mantle and brought back their queen crest while retaining some core players and coach Laura Harvey. Things haven’t gone so well for the Reign since, however. They’ve earned just four points, all of them at home, and have yet to score more than two goals in one match. More bad news tonight: Bethany Balcer, Seattle’s only player with more than one goal on the season, will be out after picking up two yellow cards in last weekend’s match against Orlando.

By contrast, Washington Spirit (7-0-3) began with a game that’s looking like something of an aberration, unfocused and uncoordinated (and missing their leading attack driver, Trinity Rodman) as they introduced a number of new players under a new coach. In the weeks since, the Spirit have been maintaining a permanent residency near the top of the table. They’ve developed a dynamism and ability to solve problems to help them win games, despite some struggles with finishing and defense.

Interim head coach Adrián González said fans should expect to see two very different teams in tonight’s match. Just as the Spirit have developed, Seattle have been trying out some changes of their own, playing different players in different positions to try to find a winning combination.

“I’m not expecting a similar game,” González said. “We’re just focused on who we are right now as a team and what we want to achieve, and I’m ready to have a different game.” The biggest difference between the Spirit today and the Spirit on Opening Day? “We are a team.”

Key Player: Croix Bethune

This rookie has set the Spirit’s record for assists (and the NWSL’s rookie record) with over half the season to go, and just nabbed her first call-up to the U.S. senior National Team. With her skill at finding open pockets of space and tricking defenders into doing exactly what she wants, she’s sure to continue creating chances for Washington tonight.

Watch Out For: Jess Fishlock

Long-time Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock is a threat on the attack, in addition to helping keep her team steady and motivated through sheer force of personality on the pitch. Adept at mind games, Fishlock will be looking to throw the Spirit off their momentum and put her team in good set piece opportunities.

Challenges: Washington have a lot of room for improvement defensively and will need to avoid the kinds of mistakes in the box that saw them (briefly) trailing against Angel City last week.

Previously: As discussed, ReignSeattle won the first match between these teams 2-1. The historical record between these teams is pretty even, at 8 regular season wins for the Spirit, 7 for the Reign, and 12 draws.

Seattle Reign Availability:

Out: Bethany Balcer (suspension), Claudia Dickey (knee), Quinn (knee)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Lyza Bosselmann (wrist), Anna Heilferty (SEI – knee), Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Paige Metayer (lower leg)

Questionable: Makenna Morris (hip)

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Referee: Joshua Encarnacion
Available TV: MNMT
Available streaming: NWSL+