The Kansas City Current will face off against the Portland Thorns on April 1 at Children’s Mercy Park. This rematch of last year’s championship match will be the first of several nationally broadcast matches on CBS. After an opening week with record-breaking attendance and viewership, the NWSL will look to continue the momentum with this marquee matchup. Here are the predictions and best odds for Kansas City vs Portland.
Week 2 coming in
on CBS!
@thekccurrent
@ThornsFC
Saturday, April 1
11:40 AM CT
CBS
https://t.co/VkBa6RIsME#WePlayHere pic.twitter.com/db4RVk9y1G
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 30, 2023
Kansas City vs Portland Predictions and Best Odds for April 1
Kansas City Current Run of Form
Kansas City was widely regarded as the winner of the offseason. Their many moves in free agency for the likes of Debinha have made them favorites going into the season. However, their first match against North Carolina ended in a 1-0 defeat. The Courage’s Mille Gejl scored early on in the 23-minute. Both teams played fairly even 90 minutes. This is a disappointing start for the Current considering the anticipation pre-season.
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Portland Current Run of Form
Last year’s champs got off to a hot start this season. In their opening match against the Orlando Pride, they won 4-0. In a dominating offensive performance, Portland outshot Orlando 16 to 1. The Thorns distributed the scoring evenly with goals from Morgan Weaver, Sophia Smith, Hina Sugita, and Michele Vasconcelos. If things continue, Portland will be well on track to a repeat by year’s end.
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Recent Head to Head
Briefly give the details of the last few fixtures between the two. Keep it to a paragraph or two, 100-200 words
These two clubs last met at the 2022 NWSL Championship in DC last October. Portland came out victorious in a 2-0 shutout thanks to a goal from MVP Sophia Smith and an own goal from Kansas City’s Addisyn Merrick. Kansas City went into the match as underdogs due to their being a fifth seed in the six-team playoffs. With a victory over the Current, Portland won their third championship, giving them the most titles in league history.
Kansas City vs Portland Prediction
Kansas City is still figuring out its chemistry with all the turnover in free agency. With one match played so far, they are presumably on their way to finding mid-season form. Considering this, it would be difficult to assume that playing the defending champions will result in a win. But, it is still early in the season. In a league where parity has always been present, it’s not given for Portland to win, but it is logical to assume that is the outcome. Portland should win 3-1.
Current Odds: Kansas City vs Portland
ML: POR +150, KC +145
Photo Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports on March 18, 2023, of Hina Sugita’s Headshot.
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