Angel City FC at Kansas City Current: Match preview, injury report, starting XI, how to watch

Angel City FC will travel to play the Kansas City Current Friday night, looking to extend its unbeaten streak to three games. 

With ACFC just outside of the playoff places, a win could potentially propel it into a postseason spot. But Angel City's also facing the hottest team in the NWSL. The Current is unbeaten in its last 10 games and have won its last two games, both on the road. It is currently in fourth place, and a win could push it to as high as second in the league. 

The first time these two teams met in late May was one of the last matches the Current lost — as the result of an own goal — before launching its current streak. Both teams have improved and evolved since the first month of the season. With points and playoff standing at stake, it is doubtful ACFC can rely on another own goal for a result.

Kickoff time

5 p.m. PT/7 p.m. CT at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. 

How to watch

The match will broadcast and stream nationally via CBS Sports Network. 

How to listen

Tune into the NWSL station on iHeartRadio for live coverage of the game and for other NWSL coverage.

Records

ACFC, 6W-3D-5L (21 points, seventh in NWSL); Kansas City Current, 7W-4D-4L (25 points, fourth in NWSL)

Last time out

ACFC beat the Chicago Red Stars 1-0 at home. Savannah McCaskill scored the lone goal in the 48th minute off of a cross from Claire Emslie, for her fifth goal of the season and second in the last three games. It was ACFC’s third win over current playoff teams.

The Kansas City Current defeated the North Carolina Courage 4-3 on the road. The Current never had the lead until the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute from Claire Lavogez. 

Four separate players scored in the game: Kristen Hamilton, Lo’eau LaBonta, Cece Kizer and Claire Lavogez. On top of her goal, LaBonta also assisted the Current’s first score. It was the first time this season the team had scored more than two goals in a game.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

ACFC (4-4-2): DiDi Haracic, Tyler Lussi, Megan Reid, Paige Nielsen, Ali Riley, Savannah McCaskill, Danielle Weatherholt, Cari Roccaro, Jun Endo, Simone Charley, Paige Emslie

Kansas City Current (3-1-4-2): AD Franch; Kristen Edmonds, Elizabeth Ball, Alexis Loera, Victoria Pickett, Kate Del Fava, Lo'eau LaBonta, Desiree Scott, Hailie Mace, Cecelia Kizer, Kristen Hamilton

Injury report

ACFC: OUT – Hope Breslin (left shoulder), Vanessa Gilles (right hip), Sarah Gorden (right knee), Sydney Leroux (right ankle), Christen Press (SEI- right knee), Jasmyne Spencer (Covid protocol), M.A. Vignola (right hip) 

Kansas City Current: OUT – Jaycie Johnson (right leg), Chloe Logarzo (right leg), Sam Mewis (SEI- right leg), Mallory Weber (SEI- right leg), Lynn Williams (SEI- right leg) 

Players to watch

ACFC: Cari Roccaro, midfielder

When thinking of ACFC, many people may think of names like Sydney Leroux, Ali Riley or McCaskill and for good reason as they have been some of the main players to help ACFC’s success this season. But a player you may not know much about who is an integral part of ACFC’s success is Cari Roccaro. 

This season, the midfielder has 12 starts and two goals along with an assist. According to FotMob, she is Angel City's second highest-rated player after Christen Press. 

Defensively, Roccaro plays a major role for her club. This season, she has 11 clearances, 18 interceptions and has 23 tackles won. With eight chances created and an 82% accurate passer, she is the connective tissue between the offense and defense of ACFC. Her versatility to excel in every facet of the game makes her such an important piece to ACFC and how they perform. 

Because her most impactful tools are helping slow down the opposing offense, her name may not be called as much as others, but now she is getting hot on the offensive side of the ball. Both her goals have come within the last three games. 

If ACFC is able to hold off the Current attack and potentially score, Roccaro will surely have had an impact.

Kansas City Current: Kristen Hamilton, winger

Kristen Hamilton is a goalscorer. A person who is able to find the back of the net however she can.

Take last week against the North Carolina Courage. Hamilton went for a 50/50 ball against two Courage players plus its goalkeeper. Even outnumbered, she did not allow the keeper to come away with the ball, it found its way outside of the 6-yard box when Lo'eau LaBonta put it back in the box and Hamilton poked it past the two defenders guarding her. 

She has the exact brand of grit you'd want in one of your attackers. This season, she has five goals and an assist. Beyond her goal against the Courage, Hamilton created the most chances in the match with three and had an 82% accurate passing rate.  

This season, the Current is unbeaten when Hamilton has a goal or assist. She is an integral part of her team's success. If ACFC wants a result, it has to find a way to silence Hamilton on the left side of the field, something many teams have had a hard time doing this season.

Key matchup: Cece Kizer vs. ACFC defense

So we just talked about the importance of Hamilton to the Current. Well, she’s not KC's only goalscorer. CeCe Kizer has five goals and three assists. She is tied for club high in goals with Hamilton and is second in assists just behind La Bonta. She has scored four goals in her last five games. I would say that is good form.

Besides her own scoring, she also has 13 chances created and 69% accurate passer. Both her and Hamilton up top will surely cause headaches for ACFC.

ACFC relies upon its defense to slow down the opposition and waits for its opportunities to strike. It is fourth in the NWSL conceding an average of 1.1 goals per game, first in average successful tackles per match with 15.7 and has four clean sheets this season. This defense is one of the sturdiest in the league, and it is going to have to be on Friday night to give ACFC a chance to win.

For the win: Play for the counter

Much like ACFC’s regular game plan, the key for it to win this game is to take advantage of counter attacking opportunities or capitalize on set pieces. In their current form, the Current rarely make mistakes and actually capitalize on the ones given to it. ACFC have also proven it is a team that capitalize on opponent’s misplays.

Statistically, ACFC is third in possession won in the final 3rd per match at 7.7. But, it is near the bottom of the NWSL with an average of 1.1 goals per game and just an average of 4.1 shots on target per match.

This game will be decided upon ACFC’s defense and its ability to move the ball quickly up the field once it has possession. If it is unable to take advantage of the small chances they may have, ACFC may be fighting for a scoreless draw.