Match Preview: Portland Thorns @ Kansas City Current Ft. KC Soccer Journal

Portland opens NWSL play away at the brand new KPCP Stadium in KC, Missouri

In the opening match of the NWSL the Thorns head to KC to christen the new stadium (kickoff at 10 am PST, available to watch on ABC). Can Portland start their season with a win? How will this new team adjust to the level that fans expect from them? Will the new jerseys look good in the run of play?

With a lot of players returning from a stint of international play, it will be interesting to see how the Thorns adjust to playing together again at the start of the season.

Where we left off:

Last time we saw the Thorns they had just finished second place in the NWSL and were knocked out of the playoffs in the semi-finals by Gotham FC.

The Current finished 11th out of 12 teams and didn’t make it the playoffs.

Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how both teams approached their offseasons. The Thorns are now under new owners and the Current boasts a brand new stadium and new coach in Vlatko Andonovski.

Players to watch:

Portland

Jessie Fleming- The new signing from Chelsea is sure to be a solid fixture in our midfield.

Morgan Weaver- Coming off of a very solid season last year, Weaver offers a great wing option being able to both serve balls into the like of Smith or to put balls away herself.

Sophia Smith- I mean, what do I need to say? She just finished a very successful run with the USWNT, Smith is set to just keep improving this season.

KC Current-

Lo’eau LaBonta- Last season she was a crucial player for the Current last season so I hope she continues that path this season. Additionally, she has some of the most fun celebrations in the league (though I hope we don’t see one in this opening game against the Thorns…)

Nichelle Prince- The Canadian Forward assisted the game-winning goal in Tokyo and was a major starter throughout the tournament. This will be her first season with KC after being traded from the Houston Dash.

Debinha- The Brazilian national is a prolific player for any team she’s on. It will be exciting to see how she assimilates to Vlatko’s KC side.

Match Preview Ft. Cody Bradley of KC Soccer Journal

New coach, new season, new players —what are your hopes heading into this game?

High hopes and big dreams right now in KC! Everyone is beaming about the season ahead of opening up the new stadium. But realistically, we had high hopes coming into last season. That turned out horribly. So, I’m cautious. There’s a lot of talent, but so many changes make it hard to tell what this team will look like. Or even predict a starting lineup! The roster was shaken up and Vlatko comes in as a “new” coach who may see things verry differently.

What matchup are you most looking forward to seeing on the pitch?

I’m interested to see the defense be tested in the opening match by the league’s highest scoring team last year. Elizabeth Ball featured heavily last year, but it looks like Stine Ballisager Pedersen will step up as her CB partner to start the season. She arrived last August and made just four appearances. So I will have my eye on that CB pairing as they try to handle the likes of Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver.

How do you feel about the new stadium? Do you think it will impact how the players go about this game?

Kansas Citians already possess a borderline obnoxious city pride. And we are so incredibly proud to be the home of the first stadium in the world for women’s sports. It really does mean a lot to so many people here. Every home opener comes with excitement and atmosphere, but I think players on BOTH sides are likely to feel an extra layer of emotion coming out of the tunnel. This is a big moment not just for the team, or just the NWSL, or even just soccer… but it’s a monument to the progress for women’s sports. It’s hard NOT to imagine the next generation of players sitting that crowd, and watching on tv, who will grow up seeing this dream as a reality.

Score prediction and why?

2-1 KC Current. Because I’m an eternal optimist.

Starting Lineup prediction

Franch, Rodriguez, Ball, Ballisager, Mace, Dibernardo, Labonta, Debinha, Sapaanstra, Bia, Hamilton

My Predictions:

The final score: 2-0 Thorns because I love a good clean sheet and multiple-goal combo.

Lineup: Hogan, Kling, Hubly, Sauerbrunn, Reyes, Coffey, Flemming, Sugita, Weaver, Smith, D’Aquila