Can Kansas City Current secure the Top 4 while Louisville fight for NWSL survival?

This Saturday's matchup between Kansas City Current and Racing Louisville could prove to be a crucial game for either side, as the NWSL regular season approaches its final stretch. Current is fighting to lock up a top-four spot to host a playoff game, while Louisville is fighting for the final postseason spot. The showdown takes place at Lynn Family Stadium, where Racing has been on a good run of form as of late.

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Kansas City Current: A Search for Consistency

In this match, the Kansas City Current have come quite confident. Through three grueling games against the top three in NWSL-Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, and NJ/NY Gotham FC-the team came out undefeated with one win and two draws, showing especially the ability to sustain attacks on the defensive side with only one goal across those matches. This was particularly in evidence in the 1-1 draw against Gotham.

Forward Temwa Chawinga scored her 17th goal of the season in that game, further sealing her position as one of the top scorers of the league. Sheer has been an outstanding player and has been a key factor in the surge by Kansas City for the top playoff spot. A win against Louisville would help secure that position and also bring the team closer to hosting a home playoff game.

However, Kansas City knows that will be far from over. With four matches remaining in the regular season, direct playoff competition follows the team everywhere. Beating Racing would be an important step, and depending on the outcome of North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave, Current could clinch a top-four finish as early as this weekend.

Racing Louisville: The Last Chance

On the other hand, Racing Louisville find themselves in a precarious position in that even their current ninth place standing on 25 points would have had an opportunity to push for playoffs, but they need to start piecing together positive results if they want to stay in the playoff race. The recent 1-0 loss against Utah Royals was tough, but hope is not lost. Louisville sits just three points behind eighthplace Bay FC, meaning a win against Kansas City keeps them in contention.

It has been one of Racing's primary strengths: performances at home, particularly at Lynn Family Stadium. The team has won three of their last four matches at home, turning the stadium into something of a fortress. Even more encouraging is their record against Kansas City at home - Racing has never lost to Current at Lynn Family Stadium, boasting a 4-0-2 record in all competitions since joining the NWSL in 2021.

That unbeaten run at home against Kansas City carries a psychological advantage for Racing. They can prove to themselves that they can compete, just as that dramatic 3-3 draw showed in their first meeting of the season. In this match, Savannah DeMelo scored a last-minute equalizer, proving the determination of the team to fight to the very end-a spirit they will need again this Saturday.