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Boston Breakers vs. Seattle Reign FC: Match Preview

Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe to visit Breakers for return of Sydney Leroux and Heather O'Reilly; two struggling sides look to earn first win of June.

  Seattle GK Hope Solo will work to fend off a goal-starved Breakers' attack
Seattle GK Hope Solo will work to fend off a goal-starved Breakers' attack
USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Reign FC at Boston Breakers
7:00 P.M.
Dilboy Stadium, Somerville, MA

Current Form:

The slide continues for the Breakers, who have yet to earn a full three points in June. The team has surrendered a disheartening 11 goals in its past four matches, failing to turn goal-scoring opportunities into quality goals. In order to re-route the ship - and recover from the team's first home loss, a 3-2 defeat to Sky Blue FC - Breakers forwards Sydney Leroux, Kyah Simon and Katie Schoepfer will need to fulfill their goal-scoring duties. A fifth-place deadlock (3-4-3, 12 Pts.) with the Red Stars (3-5-3, 12 Pts.) places the Breakers out of playoff contention and four points behind fourth place FC Kansas City (5-4-1, 16 Pts.).

Last Five: W-L-T-L-L

After earning a point in its first match of the season, Seattle Reign FC proceeded to lose their next nine, entering Sunday's match against Western NY Flash with just a single point on the table. Hope Solo's return from international duty - and Megan Rapinoe's NWSL debut - factored into the team's second result, a 1-1 draw that showed promise on both sides of the ball. Still well out of playoff contention, Seattle (0-9-2, 2 Pts.) will need a win on the road to rewrite a disappointing inaugural season.

Last Five: L-L-L-L-T

What to Watch for:

The storyline surrounding the Breakers, as it has been for several weeks now, centers around the team's inability to finish. It's a simple struggle, yet the Breakers have all-too-often left points on the table due to unfinished opportunities. The return of U.S. Internationals Sydney Leroux and Heather O'Reilly will add much-needed offensive support, though the question remains: will the Breakers' forwards start converting? On Wednesday, they will face one of the greatest goalkeepers on the planet, a welcomed test for a team in need of an offensive awakening.

Seattle, on the other hand, will enter Wednesday's match with a must-win mentality, as an 11-game winless streak leaves them at the bottom of the NWSL table. The addition of Rapinoe, fresh off a four-goal campaign with French side Olympique Lyonnais, seemed to immediately strengthen a lackluster Seattle attack that has been shutout seven times this season. Look for Rapinoe to factor into the attack once again, providing unfamiliar support for standout goalkeeper Hope Solo. If Rapinoe can provide the midfield build-up her teammates need to tally an early goal - and if Solo can fend off a renewed Breakers attack - look for Seattle to earn a second consecutive result on the road.

For tickets to Sunday's match at Dilboy Stadium, visit BreakersTickets.com