Can Kansas City Current secure the top four as Louisville fights for NWSL survival?

This Saturday's clash between Kansas City Current and Racing Louisville could prove to be a pivotal game for both sides as the NWSL regular season nears its final stretch. Current is fighting to secure a spot in the top four to host a playoff game, while Louisville is fighting for the final postseason spot. The showdown will take place at Lynn Family Stadium, where Racing has been in good form recently.

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The Kansas City Current appeared quite confident in this game. In three grueling games against the NWSL's top three – Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC – the team remained undefeated with one win and two draws and, most importantly, showed the ability to sustain attacks on the defensive side with just one goal in these games. This was particularly evident in the 1-1 draw against Gotham.

Striker Temwa Chawinga scored her 17th goal of the season in the game, cementing her position as one of the league's top scorers. Sheer was an outstanding player and was a key factor in Kansas City's rise to the top spot in the playoffs. A win against Louisville would help secure that position and move the team closer to hosting a home playoff game.

However, Kansas City knows this is far from over. With four games remaining in the regular season, direct playoff contention follows the team wherever it goes. Beating Racing would be an important step, and depending on the outcome of North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave, Current could finish in the top four as early as this weekend.

On the other hand, Racing Louisville is in a precarious position as even their current ninth place position with 25 points would have had the opportunity to push for the playoffs, but they need to start producing positive results if they want to stay in the playoffs Playoff race. The recent 1-0 loss to the Utah Royals was tough, but hope is not lost. Louisville is just three points behind eighth-place Bay FC, meaning a win against Kansas City will keep them in the race.

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

The unbeaten home series against Kansas City brings a psychological advantage for Racing. They can prove to themselves that they are competitive, as the dramatic 3-3 draw in their first meeting of the season showed. In that game, Savannah DeMelo scored a last-minute equalizer, showing the team's determination to fight until the end – an attitude they will need again this Saturday.