Match: Chicago Purple Stars (7-5-6, 27 pts) vs Kansas Metropolis Present (9-4-5, 32 pts)

When: Wednesday, Sept. 14th at 7 p.m. CT

The place: Seatgeek Stadium – Bridgeview, Illinois

Watch: Paramount +

Hear: N/A

The primary place Kansas Metropolis Present (9-4-5, 32 pts) keep on the highway to go to the Chicago Purple Stars (7-5-6, 27 pts). The Present prolonged their unbeaten streak to 13 with a 1-0 win over NY/NJ Gotham FC on Sunday however don’t have a lot time to relaxation with a fast turnaround to face the sixth-place Purple Stars as they battle to remain in that final playoff spot.

The Present have 9 wins and 4 attracts of their final 13 matches and have scored a minimum of as soon as in every recreation, the longest lively streak within the league. The Purple Stars have three wins of their final 9 (3-4-2), with none of their victories in opposition to a playoff-contending crew.

Final Assembly: When these two groups met in mid-June, they fought to a 2-2 draw. It was a comparatively even match with Kansas Metropolis taking the lead within the first half with a Kristen Hamilton purpose. Chicago responded within the second half with objectives from Amanda Kowalski and Mallory Pugh. Just lately acquired CeCe Kizer leveled it up within the 68th minute with an help from Elyse Bennett. It could have stayed in Kansas Metropolis’s favor however standout defender Elizabeth Ball was subbed out within the 25th minute with an damage. This was the fourth lead to Kansas Metropolis’s unbeaten streak. The Present additionally beat the Purple Stars twice within the NWSL Problem Cup by a rating of 2-1 each instances.

CeCe Kizer celebrating or making ready to knock out a ref… ?
Thad Bell

Present jumped to first place after win in New York(ish)

Kansas Metropolis’s final match was in opposition to NY/NJ Gotham Braveness and the Present got here out with all three factors at Purple Bull Area. With Lo Labonta subbed out, Hailie Mace stepped as much as take a late penalty and safe the 1-0 win. It was not the Present’s greatest recreation however they proved they’ll grind out a consequence on a moist evening in New Jersey.

Coach ideas on the opponent

Like several crew they’ve their challenges, shedding gamers as we and different groups have” Present head coach Matt Potter defined. “They’re clearly nonetheless a gifted crew and are clearly pushed by gamers which might be distinctive. if not within the elite of the elite on the planet recreation of their place. Whether or not it’s Alyssa (Naeher) in purpose, or Mal Pugh. She is a participant that everybody talks about and rightly so, she’s most likely a real MVP candidate. So gifted, organized, very possession based mostly. I’ve been an ideal admirer of Chris Petrucelli with respect to the best way he performs and organizes his crew.”

“We anticipate anticipating an enormous problem, particularly with them being at dwelling and particularly the crew within the playoff hunt. The truth is now, we spent all season because the hunter and now we’re a little bit bit the hunted. Now it’s a distinct emotion, a distinct situation that we now discover ourselves confronted with,” Potter added.

Availability

KC Present

OUT: N/A

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: N/A

Gotham FC

OUT: N/A

QUESTIONABLE: N/A

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: N/A

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas Metropolis Present ahead Kristen Hamilton — The Present have three gamers tied with six objectives, however Hamilton is the one to observe. She has performed probably the most minutes, solely subbing off a few instances however nonetheless operating and going all out by means of stoppage time. If Kansas Metropolis wants a late purpose, Hamilton is more likely to step up within the wanted second.

Chicago Purple Stars attacker Mallory Pugh — Pugh leads the Purple Stars with eight objectives and 5 assists and is contemporary off of a very good pair of video games with the U.S. Nationwide crew. Pugh is harmful wherever she is lined up on the sphere and a doubtlessly drained Present backline should control the 24-year-old attacker.



Supply hyperlink