The first game of a tough road trip for Washington Spirit kicks off tonight in Kansas City when they take on the fourth-ranked Current. Both teams are looking to stay at the top of the table as the season winds down, but playing at home and determination to stop a slide could give KC the edge.

Once an unstoppable juggernaut, Kansas City Current (11-6-3) faltered a bit after their loss to Orlando Pride near the mid-season. They’ve only won one game in their last five, though they still have enough points to be comfortably in the Top Four. Their attack has also remained strong, led by the likes of Temwa Chawinga, and they’ll be bolstered by the recent return of Bia Zaneratto from a foot injury. They’ve also shown a flexibility in tactics and formation recently that could leave Washington unprepared for what exactly they’ll face on the pitch.

“I think tomorrow will be a good test to see how the team can adapt, especially from the beginning of the game,” Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez said. He warned that the Current will likely want revenge after their earlier 4-1 loss to Washington and that he has focused on “giv[ing] the players tools to solve different situations.”

Washington Spirit (14-2-4) already have many of those tools in their toolbox. Throughout the season, they’ve been persistent and creative, frequently outshooting opponents and managing to keep goals against low, though clean sheets tend to elude them. They’ve been hit with a number of injuries, as the availability report shows, but have so far had the depth to keep winning despite it. Giráldez has also recently emphasized rotating his squad to ensure everyone is prepared in the event they’re called upon to step up.

“I think we have an amazing group, and I think it’s awesome that we have so much depth,” forward Lena Silano said. “Regardless of the minutes we all get, I think everyone shows up and gives 100 percent of themselves.”

Key Player: Tara McKeown

Center back Tara McKeown has been absolutely essential to the Spirit this year and was just rewarded for it with a new four-ish year contract (and please believe me, I selected Key Player of the week before the announcement!). The only Spirit to play every minute of this season so far, McKeown is effective both at stopping dangerous runs by her opponents and breaking through their press with dribbles of her own.

Watch Out For: Temwa Chawinga

According to Giraldez, going up against some of the league’s best attackers is part of what drives McKeown, and she’ll have plenty of chances to do that tonight. The biggest threat is Temwa Chawinga, who has scored in eight of her last 10 matches, including against Washington, and leads the NWSL Golden Boot race with 15 goals. Another is Vanessa DiBernardo, who has four goals and five assists of her own and could cause some disruption in the midfield.

Challenges: With a high-scoring opponent like the Current, Washington will need to be on point defensively, particularly on set pieces, where they’ve sometimes struggled to provide complete coverage.

Previously: Washington defeated the Current 4-1 in late August, converting all but one of their shots on target with unusual precision.

Kansas City Current Availability:

Out: Claire Hutton (international duty), Alex Pfeiffer (SEI – knee), Gabrielle Robinson (SEI – knee), Mallory Weber (SEI – knee)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Croix Bethune (SEI – knee), Lyza Bosselmann (SEI – wrist), Anna Heilferty (SEI – knee), Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Chloe Ricketts (knee), Ouleymata Sarr (back), Kate Wiesner (thigh)

Questionable: None

Location: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Kickoff time: 8 p.m.
Referee: Matt Thompson
Available streaming: Prime Video