Kansas City NWSL Returns to Action on the Road Against the Washington Spirit

KANSAS CITY (Sept. 24, 2021) - Kansas City NWSL travels to Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. CT to face the Washington Spirit after a three-week break. This is only the second matchup against Washington this season, with the Spirit prevailing on June 26 at Legends Field in the first dual 2-1. 

Kansas City’s last match was Sept. 5 at home versus the North Carolina Courage, winning in the statistical categories of shots, shots on goal, and possession. However, neither team was able to find the back of the net with the match resulting in a 0-0 draw. 

Washington has been idle since Aug. 29, when they played the North Carolina Courage to a 0-0 draw. Since then, the Spirit forfeited two matches against the Portland Thorns and OL Reign due to COVID-related issues. Both matches are counted as losses for the Spirit.

FOUR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS MAKING AN IMPACT
During the break, four Kansas City NWSL players were called-up internationally. Jéssica Silva (Portugal), Chloe Logarzo (Australia), Rachel Corsie (Scotland), and Mariana Larroquette (Argentina) were each selected to represent their respective contires. 

Silva scored a goal and an assist in the two matchups, but Portugal was unable to come away with the result in either match. Corsie captained a dominant backline to one goal allowed in two wins against Hungary and the Faroe Islands. Larroquette scored a thrilling goal in her match against Brazil, but Argentina was unable to come home with a victory in their match against Brazil. Logarzo started and played 53 minutes before being subbed off for Australia, helping control the midfield on both ends and finding through balls to her forwards. 

FRANCH STAYS IN THE STATES
Kansas City NWSL goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was selected to the roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team in a pair of matches against Paraguay. She was named the starting goalkeeper for the United States Women’s National Team in the first match and recorded her second career clean sheet for the national team as she was key in directing the defense to only allow one shot in a 9-0 victory. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Kansas City: Defender Kristen Edmonds - Edmonds has been a vital piece to the Kansas City defense this season. Edmonds has played nearly every position on the field this season. Although she has not suited up at goalkeeper, Edmonds has been nominated for the NWSL Save of the Week following her block off the line against the Courage at home on July 23. While fellow teammate Rachel Corsie was out due to injury, Edmonds filled in at center back and captain. She has played and started in 16 games for 1,316 minutes while adding 10 shots, with four on goal. 

Washington Spirit: Forward Ashley Hatch - Hatch has been a dominant goal-scorer for the Spirit as she has seven tallies on the season, tied for third in the NWSL. Hatch has played in 15 games (13 starts) for a total of 1,124 minutes on the season.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Aly Trost and Dave Borchardt will be back on the call this week, broadcasting the game locally on KSMO-TV. Nationally the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.