Gotham FC vs Kansas City Current preview: The Ted Lasso revenge game | OneFootball

NJ/NY Gotham FC looks to extend their seven-match unbeaten run as they welcome the Kansas City Current to New Jersey. The NJ/NY side will not only be looking to avenge their 2-1 loss to the Current earlier in the regular season, but also their antagonist portrayal in the most recent season of the Apple TV show Ted Lasso.

As mentioned, Gotham FC is in fantastic form as they currently sit on a seven-game unbeaten run with six wins. They have currently won three in a row, all by a score of 1-0. They are currently in the midst of a run of four games in August against playoff teams, three of which are at home. This unbeaten run sees them sit at the top of the table, four points ahead of the second-place Washington Spirit. That means even with a loss and a Spirit win over Angel City FC, Gotham will still end the weekend in first place.

Kansas City, meanwhile, has had a very difficult start to life in the NWSL's second half. Starting with a loss in the Challenge Cup to the Bats, they have only managed two wins in seven games. This has seen them drop down to seventh place in the table, vulnerable to both Angel City and Seattle Reign FC behind them, who both sit six points back with two games in hand. The Current will want to get a win to build up some momentum before heading into a run of five home games in their next seven.

The Current has always been a difficult team for Gotham to find success against, with just two wins in 14 all-time matchups. However, those two wins have come in their last three meetings, including the Challenge Cup this past June and last season's stunning playoff upset. With the home side trending up and KC trending down, this could be Gotham FC's best opportunity to earn a regular-season win over the Current for the first time in club history. Here is a preview of Friday's match.

Gotham FC vs Kansas City Current

Date

The game will take place on Friday, August 14.

Time

The fixture is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET.

Location

The match will be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

How to watch

The game will be streamed on Amazon Prime video.

Weather

A Gotham home game unaffected by weather? Is that allowed? Yes, it looks like a normal weather game is in store for Gotham fans for the first time since the end of May, with a less than 5% chance of rain forecast throughout the 90 minutes. The temperature at kickoff is set to be 81 degrees, with it dropping to 78 by the end of the match. Wind speeds will hover around five mph, with humidity rising from 50% to 60%.

Injury report

Three players are missing. Kayla Duran (knee - SEI), Denise O'Sullivan (knee), and Emily Sonnett (knee - SEI) remain out for the Bats.

Players to watch

A standout in Gotham's win last Friday, Jordynn Dudley is looking to make a late-season push for Rookie of the Year. While the goal contribution total has not quite matched the eye test, it's easy to see the confidence she is currently playing with now that she has passed the midpoint of her rookie season, making her one to watch.

For Kansas City, with Temwa Chawinga away at WAFCON and Michelle Cooper still questionable, Haley Hopkins has stepped up in a big way in recent games. Hence, she is someone to watch. The forward has managed three goals and an assist in her last three fixtures, which has seen her goal contributions total match her career high of six with around a third of the season still to go. While she may not be the most well-established name on the Current roster, she is playing like one when they needed her most.

Prediction

This will be another tough contest for the Bats despite KC's inconsistent recent form and the fact that they are missing a few of their star players. This makes a 1-0 victory, which would be their fourth in a row by that scoreline, the most likely outcome for Gotham FC, with Dudley picking up the lone goal in the match.