NWSL Matchweek Eight: Key Absences Shape Friday Fixture List
The National Women's Soccer League has confirmed significant player unavailability for Matchweek Eight, with notable omissions across the Houston Dash, Washington Spirit, and San Diego Wave.
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has released its official availability reports for all fixtures scheduled on Friday during Matchweek Eight. The documentation outlines player status for four key matchups, highlighting a series of absences due to injury, illness, and maternity leave that will impact team line-ups across the league.
The opening fixture sees the KC Current host the Houston Dash. The Dash will be without several key personnel, including Kiki Van Zanten, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. The team also lists Alana Cook, Debinha de Oliveira, Mary Long, Gianna Paul, and Rocky Rodriguez as out, with specific injuries ranging from knee issues to head injuries.
In the Seattle Reign’s clash against Gotham FC, the Reign face a depleted squad. Lynn Biyendolo and Jess Fishlock are unavailable, with Biyendolo on maternity leave and Fishlock dealing with a lower leg issue. Gotham FC also report significant absences, with Abby Dahlkemper, Caprice Dydasco, Emily Menges, and Casey Krueger all listed as out due to maternity leave or knee injuries. Keira Barry is listed as questionable for Gotham with a lower leg issue.
Bay FC take on Boston Legacy in another fixture affected by roster changes. Bay FC will be without Bruninha, Kayla Duran, Mandy Freeman, Rose Lavelle, and Taryn Torres, with injuries including hamstring strains and knee issues accounting for most omissions. Boston Legacy’s unavailability list includes Kaká and Fauzia Najjemba, both dealing with thigh and ankle injuries respectively.
The final Friday match features the San Diego Wave hosting the Washington Spirit. The Wave are without Trinity Armstrong, Adriana Leon, and Cat Macario, with Leon sidelined by a back injury and Armstrong and Macario dealing with knee and heel issues respectively. Ludmila is listed as questionable for the Wave with a thigh injury. The Washington Spirit will be missing Deborah Abiodun, Ashley Hatch, Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Krueger, and Sara Wojdelko, with the latter four absent due to maternity leave or hand injuries.
The NWSL reports confirm no players are currently on international duty or listed as questionable across the other teams not detailed above, providing a clear picture of the available talent for the weekend’s proceedings.
