Can the Chicago Red Stars win a third-straight game vs. a depleted FC Kansas City side? (Photo copyright Patricia Giobetti | http://www.printroom.com/pro/psgiobetti)
The focus of NWSL will be directed on the Midwest on Thursday night as the two teams stationed between the coastal states get together for the first time this season. Here is a look at the midweek action in NWSL Week 10:
FC Kansas City (4-3-1)
at Chicago Red Stars (2-4-2)
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Benedictine University Sports Complex
Series: First meeting
Quick Look: The first installment of what we’ll call the Midwest Melee will be the first of a home-and-home over four days and will take place without many of the best players on each team. Lauren Cheney, Kristie Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Nicole Barnhart are off with the U.S. national team while Desiree Scott, Lauren Sesselmann, Erin McLeod, and Carmelina Moscato have departed to join Canada. For Kansas City it will be the first time this season Vlatko Andonovski will be forced to make significant changes to his starting XI. The Red Stars will be looking to build on their 2-0-0 mark since the arrival of Sonja Fuss and Inka Grings.
Tactical Short: With both central defenders gone plus Scott, the Blues will have to scramble to find central players to ward off Lori Chalupny, who has more room to roam since Grings got there. Look for Nia Williams and Katie Kelly to get the starts in central defense while Jen Buczkowski focuses on trying to stop Chalupny before she is able to possess in dangerous areas.
