​COLUMBUS, OHIO — JUNE 26: Michelle Cooper #17 of the Kansas City Current warms up before the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by e.l.f. match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on June 26, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty Images
Friday night in the NWSL spotlight will feature just one matchup for Matchweek 13, as the first-place San Diego Wave host the sixth-place Kansas City Current in a key regular-season showdown. With both clubs looking to build momentum in the middle of the 2026 NWSL season, this meeting has the potential to deliver an entertaining and competitive night of soccer between two teams with postseason ambitions.
San Diego enters the match sitting at the top of the NWSL standings, continuing to prove why the club is one of the league’s strongest sides this season. The Wave have been consistent, organized, and difficult to break down, and they will look to protect their place in first against a Kansas City team that has enough attacking quality and depth to make the match challenging from the opening whistle.
Kansas City Current, currently in sixth place, remain firmly in the playoff conversation and will be aiming to earn valuable points on the road. The Current have dealt with injuries throughout the season, but their roster depth has helped them stay competitive. Friday’s match against San Diego Wave FC gives Kansas City an opportunity to measure itself against the league leaders and potentially make a statement in the NWSL playoff race.
Both teams will be without the same players who were unavailable for last week’s matches. While neither side has any new questionable players listed, the injury report still includes several notable absences. Kansas City will again be without Michelle Cooper, who remains out with a thigh injury. Cooper’s absence is significant for the Current attack, but Kansas City still has enough depth across the roster to create chances and keep pressure on San Diego throughout the match.
The Kansas City Current availability report lists Ellie Bravo-Young as out with a thigh injury, Alana Cook as out with a knee injury and on the season-ending injury list, Michelle Cooper as out with a thigh injury, Clare Gagne as out with a head injury and on the season-ending injury list, Mary Long as unavailable due to D-45 status, and Lorena da Silva Leite as out with a hip injury. Kansas City has no players listed as questionable and no players away on international duty for this match.
For San Diego Wave FC, the injury report also remains unchanged. Dudinha is out with a knee injury and is on the season-ending injury list, Cat Macario is unavailable due to a heel injury, and Kiki Pickett is out with an ankle injury. Like Kansas City, San Diego has no players listed as questionable and no players currently away on international duty.
The absence of Cat Macario remains one of the most important notes for San Diego Wave fans. Macario’s creativity, technical ability, and attacking presence can change a match, but the Wave have continued to show why they are at the top of the NWSL table even without key contributors. San Diego’s depth and tactical balance will be important once again as the club prepares for a Kansas City side that can be dangerous in transition and organized in possession.
With no players listed as questionable for either team, the matchday picture is relatively clear. Both coaches will know which players are available and can plan accordingly, making depth, rotation, and in-game adjustments especially important. Kansas City Current will need to find ways to generate attacking opportunities without Cooper, while San Diego Wave FC will look to maintain control and continue its strong run at the top of the standings.
Friday’s NWSL Matchweek 13 meeting between San Diego Wave and Kansas City Current is more than just a matchup between first and sixth place. It is a chance for San Diego to reinforce its position as one of the best teams in the league and for Kansas City to close the gap in the standings. With both teams managing injuries but still carrying plenty of talent, fans should expect a competitive match with important playoff implications.
Here is the latest NWSL availability report for San Diego Wave FC vs. Kansas City Current.
Kansas City Current: Out — Ellie Bravo-Young, thigh; Alana Cook, knee, season-ending injury list; Michelle Cooper, thigh; Clare Gagne, head, season-ending injury list; Mary Long, D-45; Lorena da Silva Leite, hip. Questionable — none. International duty — none.
San Diego Wave FC: Out — Dudinha, knee, season-ending injury list; Cat Macario, heel; Kiki Pickett, ankle. Questionable — none. International duty — none.