Portland Thorns vs Kansas City Current Preview
What to expect in the rematch of the 2022 NWSL Championship
The Rematch of the NWSL Championship
The last time these two teams met, the Portland Thorns defeated the Kansas City Current in the final of the 2022 NWSL Championship game 2-0 and added a third star above the crest.
After that final game, Kansas City GM Camille Levin Ashton made the biggest splash in free agency.
KC would end up adding the treasure of free agents, Debinha. She is one of the best players of all time and her list of achievement would take days to list. The Current would also add Morgan Gautrat, Hanna Glas, Mimmi Larsson, Vanessa DiBernardo. In the NWSL Draft they selected elite prospects: Michelle Cooper, Alexa Spaanstra, and Gabrielle Robinson.
This team was selected as a top pick to win the 2023 NWSL Shield and Championship by media outlets.
Unfortunately, their injury list looks quite similar to the Portland Timbers.
They went into the NWSL regular season opener with 9 players out and unavailable for the game.
In the season opener in North Carolina against the courage, they suffered a 0-1 defeat. The current were out-possessed 41% to 59% and had 2 less shots on goal.
Kansas City Current started four newcomers, including three rookies in Cooper, Spaanstra, and Robinson. They also started Swedish forward Mimmi Larsson.
After going with a 3 back for the majority of head coach Matt Potter’s first year, they opted to play a 4 back in the opener with Mace and Del Fava as the fullbacks and Robinson and Ball as the center backs.
This game will be showcased on CBS and give the Portland Thorns another opportunity to send a message to the rest of the league and viewers.
In order to get a preview for the game, I attended training and got a chance to speak to Head Coach Mike Norris.
Coach’s Corner
His takeaways from Kansas City Current’s Opener:
“Obviously, they played in a back three system last year. Against North Carolina they played a back four system. That’s probably the biggest takeaway. Some of the same personnel. They’ve got some new personnel, particularly in the frontline. Somewhat familiar with them in terms of draft prep. It’s not that it’s unknown, but it’ll interesting to see their injury report - who’s available this week after their injury report from last week.”
What the team needs to do to come out with three points:
“Show up and be us is the big piece. I think we need to travel well. We need to start the game well like we did on Sunday. If we show up and be us again, it’ll give us a good chance.”
Portland’s Projected Starting XI (4-3-3)
Weaver - Smith - Sugita
Dunn - Coffey - Rodriguez
Klingenberg - Sauerbrunn - Hubly - Kuikka
Rocky Rodriguez came off the bench for the home opener on Sunday and played very few minutes. This could have been to rest her for this matchup which will be a better fit for her skillset. Could Sinclair start again? Of course, but I expect more of a timeshare to take shape in 2023.
Portland dominated Orlando 4-0 at Providence Park in the opener and this team looks like what they are: the defending NWSL champions. This team returned nearly their entire roster from last season and it is paying dividends early on. They played on the front foot the entire game and will need to bring it again on the road.
Game Prediction and Preview:
Unfortunately, we will not get to see both teams at full strength. Portland and Kansas City at 100% would have been a great TV game for all fans. However, the Thorns will head into this game with the upper-hand against the Current. If KC’s injury list remains unchanged, it’ll be a long morning for them. Debinha will be making her season debut, but it is unknown whether it will be as a starter or sub.
At the end of the day, the Portland Thorns frontline is a complete mismatch for the Kansas City Current backline. Whether they go with a three- or four-back system really does not matter. Their defense has no answer for the 2022 NWSL MVP, Sophia Smith, and rapidly improving star Morgan Weaver. Adrianna Franch still is one of the best goalkeepers in the world though, and getting past her will be difficult.
The other mismatch is the midfield. Portland has elite options at midfield and KC does not have that due to injury. Expect Coffey to control this game with Dunn and Rocky or Sincy pressing nonstop.
The new frontline of the Current is going to find it hard to score on Portland’s backline. Portland allowed only one goal in their last three meetings against KC.
All lines should favor Portland — but winning on the road always proves quite difficult. Franch will also have a big say in this game.
Can she stop the waves of Portland Thorns attacks? That’s a tough ask for any keeper.
Score prediction:
Portland Thorns 2
Kansas City 1
Goals: Sophia Smith, Hina Sugita, Michelle Cooper
Assists: Morgan Weaver, Crystal Dunn, Hallie Mace
Players to Watch
• Lo’eau Labonta - She led the Current with 8 goals in 2022 and is one of the most fouled players in the league.
• Michelle Cooper - The #2 overall pick, is one of the best young frontline players. Portland’s backline will have to pay close attention to her.
• Hallie Mace - One of the best two-way fullbacks in the NWSL, and will be a handful coming forward and in defense.
• Debinha - Whether it be as a starter or a substitute, she is going to be the key to Kansas City’s attack.
• Rocky Rodriguez - Had a resurgent and career year in 2022. She will be fresh and ready for this game.
• Reyna Reyes - This is a perfect game to give the #5 overall pick her debut. She is the fastest fullback Portland has and it’ll help especially in the later stages of the game.
• Hina Sugita - Although she may be listed as a winger, she is way more than that. Her hybrid role allows her to roam from the frontline down to the midfield. This helps maximize the attack and midfield control.
• Morgan Weaver - One of the players who is on a scoring tear. She has scored 7 goals in her last 12 regular season games. Weaver’s work rate is second to none.
Where to Watch
Portland Thorns @ Kansas City Current
Kickoff: 9:50am PST
Network: CBS
Have I ever showed you all this pic of Rhian Wilkinson I found at a castle on the Rhine?
https://ibb.co/StTjYpP
Definitely a case where Thorns need to have a killer instinct on full display. A massively short-handed team is going to be going into the match in full knowledge that they will have to do something truly special to get a result and will be playing accordingly. We need to be at the same level of intensity.