Match Preview: Kansas City Current returns to regular season play to face league-leading San Diego Wave

The Kansas City Current have traveled to Southern California as the club returns to regular season play against the San Diego Wave Saturday September 16 at 9 p.m. CT. Kansas City area fans can watch all the action locally on KMCI, 38 The Spot with Lisa Carlin and Dave Borchardt on the call. Paramount+ will stream the match with Josh Eastern and Jillian Loyden.   

Only seven points out of playoff position with four games left to play, the Current will be pushing to get into the playoff mix with every match. After a successful run through the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup that fell less than a minute from reaching the championship, the team looks to close out the regular season continuing its positive run of form. In regular season play the team has earned points in three of the past six matches.  

San Diego also comes into the match on a hot streak. The Wave have won three straight and are undefeated in the past four times out. The team is led by U.S. Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan. She holds the team lead for goals, shots and assists. Kaleigh Riehl leads the team defensively, playing the most minutes on the team (1,620) and blocking the most shots (18). Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has 52 saves on the season.  

PLAYERS TO WATCH 
Kansas City Current defender Stine Ballisager – Ballisager is expected to be in the lineup for the third straight match for Kansas City after getting her first regular season action in the second half against Angel City, then coming in at the end of the Challenge Cup semifinal. The Danish international continues to impress with her new squad and is a solid defender on the team’s back line. 

San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma – Drafted by the Wave in 2022, Girma earned Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year honors last season and has followed it up with another solid NWSL season, along with being the anchor of the U.S. Women’s National Team defense.  

TIGHT TABLE 
Although the Current are in 12th position on the NWSL’s table, the team sits only seven points out of playoff position and very much alive in the race for the postseason. By contrast, in 2022, the difference between 12th and 6th positions with four games remaining was 15 points. The Current will need to earn points in all remaining games, and count on other teams for assistance, but the parity in the NWSL has never been more apparent. 

INTERNATIONAL DUTY 
Two of Kansas City’s best have been called to international duty this week. Brazilian midfielder Debinha will be in camp with her country’s squad for a development camp with their new head coach. Meanwhile defender Stine Ballisager Pedersen will head to Europe to help Denmark open up the 2023 UEFA Women’s Cup against Germany and Wales. Both players will be available for selection Saturday before heading off to join their country.