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Portland Thorns FC (5th, 7-4-2, 23pts) are on a mission to climb up the playoffs standings as they host undefeated Kansas City Current (2nd, 8-0-5, 29pts). Kickoff from Providence Park is schduled for 1pm PT – Tickets available here.
After narrowly escaping with a 5-4 win over the Thorns in the NWSL season opener, Kansas City has not looked back and have taken points match after match. After 13 matches, they're just behind the Orlando Pride in the standings.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski's squad leads the league in goals per game (2.5) and shots on target per game (7.6). Leading their offense is forward Temwa Chewinga with eight goals and five assists and right behind her is Brazilian forward Beatriz with five goals and four assists. As both KC forwards battle Thorns' very own Sophia Smith for the goal involvement lead, it's their defense that's kept them undefeated through 13 matches. As a team, they lead the league in successful tackles per game (14.5). Centerback Gabrielle Robinson has been dominant in blocks (1.9) and clearances (5.2) per game, leading the team in each category. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch has been solid beneath the posts, averaging 2.8 saves per game and recording a 65.5% save percentage.
A Timbers and Thorns mixed-teams scrimmage to benefit the environment, on Wednesday, June 26 at Providence Park.
Against the the Current, the Thorns have held their own over the years. In eight all-time regular-season matchups between the Thorns and Kansas CIty, Portland holds the advantage with four wins, two defeats, and two draws.
Although the current edition of Kansas City has only battled eight times with the Thorns, the goal differential over those matches is in considerable favor of Portland. The Thorns have a +7 GD against the Current, with various high-scoring affairs.
Thorns forward Sophia Smith and Current forward Temwa Chewinga go head-to-head on Sunday amidst a battle for the lead in several stats. Smith leads the Golden Boot race (9) by one goal over Chewinga (8) and also total goal contributions, totaling 15 goals and assists to Chewinga's 13. On her end, the Malawian international leads the league in shots (43) and shots on target (31) with Smith close behind her in second in both categories (38 and 24, respectively). One could make the argument that it will be a battle of the top two forwards in the NWSL.
Both clubs head into Sunday's clash with similar form over their last five games. For Portland, a 3-1-1 stretch where they collected 10 points. For the visitors, they collected 11 points from a 3-0-2 run.
ThornsFC.com Staff -@ThornsFC
Portland Thorns FC (5th, 7-4-2, 23pts) are on a mission to climb up the playoffs standings as they host undefeated Kansas City Current (2nd, 8-0-5, 29pts). Kickoff from Providence Park is schduled for 1pm PT – Tickets available here.
After narrowly escaping with a 5-4 win over the Thorns in the NWSL season opener, Kansas City has not looked back and have taken points match after match. After 13 matches, they're just behind the Orlando Pride in the standings.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski's squad leads the league in goals per game (2.5) and shots on target per game (7.6). Leading their offense is forward Temwa Chewinga with eight goals and five assists and right behind her is Brazilian forward Beatriz with five goals and four assists. As both KC forwards battle Thorns' very own Sophia Smith for the goal involvement lead, it's their defense that's kept them undefeated through 13 matches. As a team, they lead the league in successful tackles per game (14.5). Centerback Gabrielle Robinson has been dominant in blocks (1.9) and clearances (5.2) per game, leading the team in each category. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch has been solid beneath the posts, averaging 2.8 saves per game and recording a 65.5% save percentage.
A Timbers and Thorns mixed-teams scrimmage to benefit the environment, on Wednesday, June 26 at Providence Park.
Against the the Current, the Thorns have held their own over the years. In eight all-time regular-season matchups between the Thorns and Kansas CIty, Portland holds the advantage with four wins, two defeats, and two draws.
Although the current edition of Kansas City has only battled eight times with the Thorns, the goal differential over those matches is in considerable favor of Portland. The Thorns have a +7 GD against the Current, with various high-scoring affairs.
Thorns forward Sophia Smith and Current forward Temwa Chewinga go head-to-head on Sunday amidst a battle for the lead in several stats. Smith leads the Golden Boot race (9) by one goal over Chewinga (8) and also total goal contributions, totaling 15 goals and assists to Chewinga's 13. On her end, the Malawian international leads the league in shots (43) and shots on target (31) with Smith close behind her in second in both categories (38 and 24, respectively). One could make the argument that it will be a battle of the top two forwards in the NWSL.
Both clubs head into Sunday's clash with similar form over their last five games. For Portland, a 3-1-1 stretch where they collected 10 points. For the visitors, they collected 11 points from a 3-0-2 run.
ThornsFC.com Staff -@ThornsFC
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