Portland Thorns Edge KC Current in Thriller

Portland Thorns Vs Kc Current

Portland Thorns Triumph Over KC Current in Thrilling NWSL Showdown

Portland, OR – October 15, 2023 – In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Portland Thorns secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Current at Providence Park on Saturday night. The game was a showcase of skill, determination, and dramatic moments, solidifying the Thorns' position as one of the top contenders in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

The Thorns came out strong in the first half, with forward Sophia Smith opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Smith, who has been in stellar form this season, capitalized on a defensive error by KC Current, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Adrianna Franch with a clinical finish. The home crowd erupted as Portland took an early lead.

However, the KC Current responded swiftly. In the 25th minute, midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta leveled the score with a stunning long-range strike that left Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby with no chance. The goal energized the Current, and the match quickly turned into a back-and-forth battle.

Portland regained the lead just before halftime, courtesy of a header from defender Becky Sauerbrunn off a perfectly delivered corner kick by Crystal Dunn. The Thorns went into the break with a 2-1 advantage, but the Current were far from done.

The second half saw Kansas City push hard for an equalizer, and their efforts paid off in the 63rd minute when forward Cece Kizer found the back of the net after a chaotic scramble in the box. The goal set the stage for a tense final 30 minutes, with both teams creating chances but struggling to convert.

The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Portland’s Morgan Weaver broke through the Current’s defense and unleashed a powerful shot that ricocheted off the post and into the net. Weaver’s goal proved to be the winner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Despite a late surge from Kansas City, including a near-miss from Kristen Hamilton in stoppage time, the Thorns held on to secure the victory. The win extends Portland’s unbeaten streak to six games and keeps them firmly in the hunt for the NWSL Shield.

'It was a tough game, but the team showed incredible resilience,' said Thorns head coach Mike Norris. 'We knew KC would bring their best, and they did. I’m proud of how we responded and found a way to win.'

For the KC Current, the loss is a setback in their playoff push, but head coach Matt Potter remained optimistic. 'We fought hard and showed our quality tonight. We’ll learn from this and keep pushing forward.'

The match drew a record crowd of 22,000 fans, highlighting the growing popularity of women’s soccer in the Pacific Northwest. As the NWSL season heads into its final stretch, both teams will look to build on this performance, with the Thorns eyeing a championship run and the Current aiming to secure a playoff spot.

Next up, the Portland Thorns face OL Reign in a highly anticipated Cascadia rivalry match, while the KC Current return home to host the Chicago Red Stars. Soccer fans can expect more thrilling action as the race for the NWSL playoffs heats up.

Portland Thorns Edge KC Current in Thriller

Report Page