Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC and KC Current Set for First Meeting of 2024

Seattle Reign FC are back at Lumen Field for a midweek matchup with the Kansas City Current tonight at 7:00 p.m. This match marks the first meeting between the teams this season, but the 10th meeting all-time. 

WHEN AND WHERE: Reign FC kickoff at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. 

WHERE TO WATCH: Tickets to the match are available HERE to catch the action from Lumen Field. Otherwise, fans can tune in on Kong, KING 5+ or NWSL+. 

2024 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC:2-5-0 (11th place), Kansas City Current: 5-0-2 (2nd place) 

Key Points Ahead of the Match: 

1. LAST MEETING – Seattle Reign FC and the Kansas City Current last met in August 2023, in Kansas City. The Reign fell 1-0 after a deadlocked first half that left both sides scoreless. The match was decided in the second half. The Reign pressed forward to threaten the Current, but none of the team’s shots were enough to beat AD Franch between the posts. 

Kansas City’s game-winning goal came in the 61st minute, when a throw in resulted in a cross from defender Izzy Rodriguez to the head of forward Cece Kizer. Seattle had one more chance to find the back of the net on a penalty kick, but it was unfortunately saved by Franch. 

“I think Kansas City obviously pose different challenges than a team like San Diego; they have a lot of speed upfront. So, I think our message has just been that we have to be really disciplined defensively and know where their threats are coming from and do our best to be proactive and stop those,” said Seattle Reign FC midfielder Olivia Athens. 

2. SCOUTING KANSAS CITY – Kansas City currently sits in 2nd place in the NWSL standings as one of two undefeated teams in the league. Most recently, the Current played the Houston Dash in a match that featured a four-hour weather delay on Sunday. Current Forward Temwa Chawinga scored the Current’s lone goal of the match in the 24th minute, assisted by midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo. However, Houston recorded the equalizer in the 71st minute after a goalkeeper turnover allowed forward Amanda West to find the back of the net. 

KC Current has three players out with injury ahead of tonight’s match – Hanna Glas (SEI - knee), Mallory Weber (SEI - knee) and Bia Zaneratto (foot). 

“I think you've got to try and get their back four on the ball and then when they're on it, you've got to try and stop them from playing to the people that hurt them the most, that hurt you the most. I think you've also got to be really good at preventing transitional opportunities for them - they've obviously proven this year that they're very strong in that department,” said Seattle Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey. 

“I think you've also got to accept that they are going to get some form of opportunity at some point - they're very explosive in those moments, so limiting the amount you possibly can, but knowing that there's chances that they are going to create. So, in those moments, just staying strong and showing the sort of mentality and the grit of not being beaten like we did on Friday.” 

3. HOME FIELD – Both of Seatle Reign FC’s wins have been earned at Lumen Field, in front of the team’s home crowd. During a time of major schedule congestion, the Reign are looking forward to a second consecutive home match before hitting the road once again. After an action-packed match last Friday night, the team knows just how loud and invested in the match the fans at Lumen Field are. 

“We love playing at Lumen. We love that the fans buy in. I think - I don't love that players get booed, but I think the fact that a player was getting booed from the opponent shows that they're very bought into what's happening on the field. So yeah, it was great. I think we're going to need them again [tonight]. It's going to be tough - we know that. We're going to have to show that mentality again and if the fans can push us an extra 10 percent, that'd be amazing,” said Harvey. 

4. BEST OF THE BEST– There are a lot of exciting match ups to watch tonight, as both teams have players that were recently honored by the league for their recent performances. The Current had three players named to the NWSL March/April Best XI – forwards Bia Zaneratto and Temwa Chawinga, and midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo. Zaneratto was also named Player of the Month for March/April. 

Meanwhile, the Reign’s performance on Friday took both Goal of the Week and Save of the Week honors. Reign FC forward Veronica Latsko's 89th minute game-winning header took the honors, alongside goalkeeper Laurel Ivory’s 66th minute save against the Wave. 

MultiCare Availability Report: 

OUT  

Claudia Dickey (knee) 

Jordyn Huitema (back) 

Tziarra King (suspension) 

Quinn (knee) 

QUESTIONABLE 

None