Match Details
KC NWSL (0-7-4 )
@ Portland Thorns FC (7-3-1)
When: Sunday, August 1 | 2:00 PM CT
Where: Providence Park| Portland, OR
TV: KCTV5, Paramount+
Radio: Sports Radio 810 WHB
Kansas City NWSL kicks off the month of August with a trip against a familiar opponent, the Portland Thorns. It’ll be the third meeting of 2021 between both clubs, all at Providence Park since the opening game of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup. Portland currently stands at the top of the NWSL table, and well, like usual, they’re a good team and could give KC loads of trouble, as they have in their previous two meetings. KC is 0-2 versus the Thorns.
Oh, yea? How so?
The Thorns have one of the best defenses in the league, giving up just seven goals in 10 games, which is second in the NWSL, one behind NJ/NY Gotham FC’s total of six. In the last eight games, only three goals have gotten past them, recording six shutouts along the way, and one of those was against Kansas City on June in their 1-0 victory. This streak is also a club record, by the way, for the fewest goals allowed. Portland is also on a four-game unbeaten streak.
Players to Watch: Sophia Smith, Simone Charley, Rocky Rodriguez, Meghan Klingenberg
What we’re watching on the KC side
It’s been over a week since KC NWSL traded Amy Rodriguez and gained three new players, forward Kristen Hamilton, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, and midfielder Hailie Mace. It was a needed change, and their presence on the KC squad has already made a difference.
In their previous game against the North Carolina Courage, Kansas City held 55 percent possession, outshooting North Carolina 14-7, with five shots on goal to North Carolina’s one. The KC offense had the best attack so far. Mace had an opportunity to score in the 86th minute against her former team, but the attempt was deflected wide. Hamilton had three total shots and one shot on goal last week.
It’s a new Kansas City team with the inclusion of these three players. All should feature in this game, with the hope they can continue to help a struggling KC team.
KC NWSL Injury Report
OUT: Arielle Ship (R Lower Leg-SEI), Abby Smith (R Thigh), Taylor Leach (L Foot), Allie Hess (L Lower Leg)
QUE: Jéssica Silva (R Thigh)
Olympic: Desiree Scott, Chloe Logarzo, Katie Bowen
Projected Line Up: 4-3-3
Rowland (GK)
Weber, Corsie, Edmonds, K. Pickett
Pickett, McCain, Vincent
Jenkins, Hamilton, Mace
Match preview: KC NWSL in the Rose City (again) - The Blue Testament
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment