For their third game in eight days, Washington Spirit will play San Diego Wave FC at home in Buzzard Point. It will be a tough match for both teams — ranked first and fourth in the league respectively — and likely a battle for possession.

The Spirit (11-3-3) played to a pair of narrow wins earlier this week and have had little time to prepare for this afternoon’s game, in addition of missing some important players to international duty. Adrián González said the team has focused on recovering “as much as possible” from Wednesday night’s match against Utah Royals FC.

“We will need to be again very aggressive, defending-wise and also on the ball,” he said, “Having different ways to attack, being brave, trying to keep the ball as much as possible, and according to what they do and how they press, identify that and try to exploit the spaces that they give us.”

San Diego (9-2-6) have been winless since Independence Day, but still pose plenty of threats to the Spirit. A high possession team, they lead the league in shots on target and expected goals per 90. Like the Spirit, the Wave prefer to play close together to complete short passes, and González said he anticipated they would try to make it difficult for Washington to play through the midfield.

“San Diego will definitely give us some trouble, hopefully not enough trouble,” Paige Metayer said. “Hopefully, we’ll give them a little more trouble, but it is definitely a tough game, and to only have really a day to prepare it is going to be a little difficult, especially without them having a mid-week game, but, I mean, we’re up to the challenge. If you want to be a winning team, these are things you have to deal with.”

Key Player: Paige Metayer

Though more frequently a fullback, Paige Metayer has been asked to play a bigger and more attacking role in recent matches. Her speed and footwork help her to progress the ball well on the wings and led to her assist on Wednesday night’s only goal.

Watch Out For: Trinity Byars

Trinity Byars spent most of her rookie season on the SEI list, but this year, the young striker is back to full health and making her mark on the Wave. She’s scored six goals for them so far, including a brace against Kansas City two weeks ago and one against the Spirit in May.

Challenges: The Spirit have relied on defensive solidity to outlast their opponents in recent matches. To make things easier on themselves, they’ll need to maintain possession and exert more control over the game.

Previously: The Wave defeated the Spirit 2-1 in May.

San Diego Wave FC Availability:

Out: Trinity Amrstrong (Knee – SEI), Dudinha (Knee – SEI), DiDi Haracic (Lower Leg), Cat Macario (Heel), Kiki Pickett (Ankle), Gabi Portilho (Hip)

Questionable: None

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Deborah Abiodun (Intl Duty), Mélissa Bethi (Intl Duty), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Lower Leg), Ashley Hatch (Maternity Leave), Aubrey Kingsbury (Maternity Leave), Rosemonde Kouassi (Intl Duty), Casey Krueger (Maternity Leave), Gift Monday (Intl Duty), Monique Ngock (Intl Duty)

Questionable: None

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 4 p.m. ET
Referee: JC Griggs
Available TV: CBS Sports
Available streaming: Paramount+