FC Kansas City Hosts Portland Thorns

KANSAS CITY (May 12, 2024) – FC Kansas City is prepared to host the Portland Thorns this weekend. These two teams have played in some of the National Women’s Soccer League’s most exciting games, including the first ever game in league history. FC Kansas City (1-2-1) has the slight overall advantage in the series with a 5-4-2 series record over the Portland Thorns (2-1-1).                                                         

The Blues reversed a two-game losing skid last week with a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride. The Thorns also played to a draw, with Allie Long scoring on a header in the 82nd minute to salvage a 2-2 tie with the Seattle Reign.

Kansas City and Portland represent two of the stingiest defenses in the NWSL this season, with each side only allowing 3 goals so far. The Blues can thank their veteran defensive core of Nicole Barnhart, Becky Sauerbrunn and Yael Averbuch for their defensive excellence. With the addition of Brittany Taylor and rookie Christina Gibbons on the outside, opposing teams have not had a lot of success penetrating that back line.

Forward Sydney Leroux played the full 90 minutes last weekend for FC Kansas City. The full match is yet another step in the star forward’s return to the elite level of women’s soccer. Although she hasn’t scored since the opening match of the season, Leroux has continued to improve with each match and provide opportunities to the players around her.

The match is scheduled to kickoff at 3:00 p.m. CT and can be viewed live on go90, the new streaming home of the NWSL. go90 is available on iOS and Android platforms as well as online at go90.com.                                                                       

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s match vs the Portland Thorns and can be purchased online here