KC Current Faces Off Against Portland Thorns: Match Preview
The Kansas City Current arrive in Portland with reinforcements expected soon. Two-time league MVP Temwa Chawinga is nearing a return. Alana Cook and Vanessa DiBernardo should be back on the pitch this summer.
Team personnel and lineup notes
A projected Kansas City lineup includes Lorena, Rodriguez, Sharples, Cook, Bravo Young, LaBonta, DiBernardo, Debinha, Bethune, Cooper, and Chawinga. That combination would look formidable on paper. The club still faces questions about depth and recent roster turnover.
Early-season league context
The NWSL season has started unpredictably. The Washington Spirit are winless through three matches.
- Expansion Denver Summit claimed its first victory, beating Gotham 2-0 on the road.
- Houston and Angel City are both 2-0-0 and meet Friday night.
- The “big three” of Orlando, Washington, and Kansas City have combined for two wins, three draws, and four losses.
Current form and concerns for KC
Kansas City needed a second-half comeback to beat Utah in the opener. They then lost to Chicago and fell 3-0 to Seattle.
Crew depth is under scrutiny. Young midfielders Katie Scott and Kelsey Branson are stepping into larger roles.
Coaching and organization
Questions have emerged about head coach Chris Armas and the club’s offseason decisions. Several key players departed or were transferred, with Claire Hutton later signed by Bay FC through 2030.
Owners Angie and Chris Long remain committed to investing in the team and women’s sports at large.
Portland Thorns status
Portland opened with two wins. They beat the Spirit on the road and thumped Seattle Reign 2-0 despite playing much of a match with nine players.
Midweek, the Thorns rotated and lost 1-3 to the San Diego Wave. Sophia Wilson is returning from maternity leave and has begun increasing her minutes.
Match details
| When | Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 PM (Central Time) |
| Where | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
| How to watch | CBS / Paramount+ |
| Record (KC) | 1-0-2, 3 points, 11th place |
| Record (Portland) | 2-0-1, 6 points, 5th place |
| Last match (KC) | 0-3 away defeat at Seattle Reign |
| Last match (Portland) | 1-3 away defeat at San Diego Wave |
Outlook
This match preview frames a clear challenge for Kansas City. On paper, Portland looks stronger based on early results.
That said, reinforcements such as Chawinga could shift momentum. The Current will try to show improvement in Rose City.
Coverage and analysis available at Filmogaz.com. This match will be watched closely by both fanbases.
