NWSL

Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current, 2022 National Women's Soccer League, Playoffs - Championship

· NWSL
Portland Thorns FC
  • 4': Sophia Wilson
  • 56': Addisyn Merrick (OG)
FT
2 - 0
Kansas City Current

    Portland Thorns beat Kansas City Current to win NWSL Championship

    Sophia Smith opened the scoring early and the Portland Thorns never looked back in a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Current to win the NWSL title.

    Match Timeline

    • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
    • 0': First Half begins.
    • 1': Foul by Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current).
    • 1': Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 2': Attempt blocked. Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
    • 3': Attempt blocked. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Morgan Weaver.
    • 4': Goal! Portland Thorns 1, Kansas City Current 0. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal following a fast break.
    • 7': Cecelia Kizer (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick on the left wing.
    • 7': Foul by Raquel Rodríguez (Portland Thorns).
    • 7': Foul by Kate Del Fava (Kansas City Current).
    • 7': Natalia Kuikka (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 9': Hand ball by Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current).
    • 12': Foul by Kate Del Fava (Kansas City Current).
    • 12': Raquel Rodríguez (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 14': Attempt missed. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Morgan Weaver with a headed pass.
    • 15': Desiree Scott (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 15': Foul by Raquel Rodríguez (Portland Thorns).
    • 16': Attempt blocked. Kristen Hamilton (Kansas City Current) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lo'eau LaBonta.
    • 17': Foul by Raquel Rodríguez (Portland Thorns).
    • 17': Kristen Hamilton (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 19': Attempt missed. Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Sophia Smith.
    • 22': Attempt blocked. Cecelia Kizer (Kansas City Current) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kate Del Fava.
    • 23': Attempt blocked. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Meghan Klingenberg.
    • 25': Attempt blocked. Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Cecelia Kizer.
    • 27': Attempt missed. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Meghan Klingenberg.
    • 28': Offside, Portland Thorns. Christine Sinclair tries a through ball, but Morgan Weaver is caught offside.
    • 32': Corner, Portland Thorns. Conceded by Addisyn Merrick.
    • 34': Foul by Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns).
    • 34': Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 34': Attempt missed. Kate Del Fava (Kansas City Current) header from the right side of the six yard box is just a bit too high.
    • 35': Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 35': Foul by Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current).
    • 38': Attempt missed. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sophia Smith.
    • 39': Attempt saved. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Yazmeen Ryan.
    • 42': Offside, Portland Thorns. Sophia Smith tries a through ball, but Morgan Weaver is caught offside.
    • 44': Foul by Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current).
    • 44': Samantha Coffey (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 45': Attempt blocked. Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
    • 45'+1': Corner, Kansas City Current. Conceded by Kelli Hubly.
    • 45'+2': First Half ends, Portland Thorns 1, Kansas City Current 0.
    • 45': Second Half begins Portland Thorns 1, Kansas City Current 0.
    • 46': Attempt saved. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Christine Sinclair.
    • 51': Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 51': Foul by Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current).
    • 55': Foul by Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns).
    • 55': Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 55': Attempt missed. Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
    • 56': Own Goal by Addisyn Merrick, Kansas City Current. Portland Thorns 2, Kansas City Current 0.
    • 58': Foul by Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current).
    • 58': Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick on the right wing.
    • 58': Attempt saved. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Samantha Coffey.
    • 58': Corner, Portland Thorns. Conceded by Adrianna Franch.
    • 59': Attempt saved. Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Samantha Coffey.
    • 59': Corner, Portland Thorns. Conceded by Adrianna Franch.
    • 60': Attempt missed. Raquel Rodríguez (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
    • 61': Attempt blocked. Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kristen Hamilton.
    • 63': Substitution, Portland Thorns. Janine Beckie replaces Morgan Weaver.
    • 63': Substitution, Portland Thorns. Hina Sugita replaces Raquel Rodríguez.
    • 64': Substitution, Kansas City Current. Elyse Bennett replaces Addisyn Merrick.
    • 64': Foul by Elizabeth Ball (Kansas City Current).
    • 64': Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 64': Corner, Portland Thorns. Conceded by Kristen Edmonds.
    • 66': Attempt blocked. Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hina Sugita.
    • 67': Attempt missed. Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
    • 71': Attempt saved. Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Sophia Smith.
    • 73': Substitution, Portland Thorns. Crystal Dunn replaces Christine Sinclair.
    • 75': Substitution, Kansas City Current. Isabel Rodriguez replaces Desiree Scott.
    • 76': Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 76': Foul by Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns).
    • 77': Attempt blocked. Alexis Loera (Kansas City Current) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lo'eau LaBonta.
    • 78': Foul by Yazmeen Ryan (Portland Thorns).
    • 78': Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
    • 82': Attempt missed. Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Janine Beckie with a cross.
    • 83': Attempt missed. Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Sophia Smith following a fast break.
    • 84': Corner, Kansas City Current. Conceded by Natalia Kuikka.
    • 88': Attempt missed. Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sophia Smith.
    • 90': Offside, Portland Thorns. Becky Sauerbrunn tries a through ball, but Sophia Smith is caught offside.
    • 90'+1': Foul by Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current).
    • 90'+1': Janine Beckie (Portland Thorns) wins a free kick on the right wing.
    • 90'+1': Foul by Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns).
    • 90'+1': Kristen Edmonds (Kansas City Current) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
    • 90'+3': Substitution, Portland Thorns. Olivia Moultrie replaces Yazmeen Ryan.
    • 90'+4': Second Half ends, Portland Thorns 2, Kansas City Current 0.
    • 0': Match ends, Portland Thorns 2, Kansas City Current 0.

    Game Information

    Competition: NWSL

    Venue: Audi Field
    Location: Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    Attendance: 17,624

    Line-Ups

    POR Portland Thorns FC (4-3-3)

    No. Name
    1 Bella Bixby (GK)
    4 Becky Sauerbrunn
    20 Kelli Hubly
    25 Meghan Klingenberg
    14 Natalia Kuikka
    17 Sam Coffey
    11 Rocky Rodríguez
    12 Christine Sinclair
    9 Sophia Wilson
    22 Morgan Weaver
    23 Yazmeen Ryan
    Portland Thorns FC Substitutes:
    Hina Sugita, Olivia Moultrie, Abby Smith, Janine Sonis, Meaghan Nally, Taylor Porter, Emily Menges, Crystal Dunn, Tegan McGrady.

    KC Kansas City Current (3-4-3)

    No. Name
    21 Adrianna Franch (GK)
    7 Elizabeth Ball
    3 Kristen Edmonds
    26 Addisyn Merrick
    11 Desiree Scott
    22 Alex Loera
    4 Hailie Mace
    8 Kate Del Fava
    10 Lo'eau LaBonta
    25 Kristen Hamilton
    5 Cece Delzer
    Kansas City Current Substitutes:
    Chardonnay Curran, Elyse Bennett, Cassie Miller, Sydney Schneider, Chloe Berryhill, Jenna Winebrenner, Izzy Rodriguez, Addie McCain, Taylor Leach.

    NWSL News

    Denver sign Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan from Houston
    Denver sign Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan from Houston

    NWSL expansion side Denver Summit FC has signed forward Yazmeen Ryan and midfielder Delanie Sheehan from the Houston Dash in a major trade one week into the 2026 NWSL season.

    Chicago Stars halt Northwestern stadium plan switch
    Chicago Stars halt Northwestern stadium plan switch

    The Chicago Stars announced on Wednesday that they are no longer pursuing Northwestern University's Ryan Field as a 2027 home venue "at this time" following pushback from residents and politicians.

    Angel City, Japan star Hina Sugita out for season with torn ACL
    Angel City, Japan star Hina Sugita out for season with torn ACL

    Angel City FC midfielder Hina Sugita has torn her left ACL and will be placed on the season-ending injury list, the team announced on Tuesday.

    USWNT transfer grades: Rodman, Heaps, Macario and more moves
    USWNT transfer grades: Rodman, Heaps, Macario and more moves

    A bunch of USWNT stars have moved in-and-out of the NWSL and Europe on big-money deals. Let's grade them all!

    Catarina Macario makes record-breaking move to San Diego
    Catarina Macario makes record-breaking move to San Diego

    Jeff Kassouf breaks down Catarina Macario's record-setting move to San Diego and what it means for the NWSL.