March 31, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City Current will open the club’s home schedule Saturday, April 1 at 11:40 a.m. CT in a nationally broadcast rematch of the 2022 NWSL Championship against the Portland Thorns, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. The match will feature a record-breaking crowd as the team has already sold enough tickets to beat the attendance record of 10,395 set last season.
Last week, the Current opened the 2023 season in North Carolina. With a starting lineup that featured three rookies and four players making their NWSL debut, the team fought hard for 90 minutes. Unfortunately an unexpected shot from distance gave the Courage a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute and the Current were not able to find an equalizer.
Portland made their home debut last weekend, facing off against the Orlando Pride in a dominant performance for the Thorns. Goals from Weaver, Smith, Sugita and Vasconcelos led Portland to a 4-0 win.
Saturday’s match will be broadcast nationally, live on CBS. In addition, Dave Borchardt and Jillian Carroll Letrinko will bring fans all the action from KC Current Radio on the Kansas City Current app, available on Apple and Android devices.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha – After picking up a knock to her right knee in Brazil’s match against the United States at the SheBelieves Cup, Debinha is listed as questionable on this week’s player availability report and is expected to be available for selection for Kansas City for the first time. Born in Brasopolis, Brazil, Debinha has represented her country in more than 100 matches throughout two Olympic games and in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Since joining the National Women’s Soccer League in 2017, she has regularly led her team to the playoffs, been honored on the league’s Team of the Month/Best XI, and notably won back-to-back NWSL Challenge Cup MVP Awards in 2021 and 2022. Prior to joining the Current, she scored 12 goals in 18 appearances for the North Carolina Courage in 2022.
Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith – The reigning NWSL MVP, Sophia Smith scored her first and last goals of the 2022 season against the Kansas City Current. In Portland’s first match this year, she had five shots, three of which were on target and one which resulted in a goal for the Thorns. She has 12 goals in 27 appearances for the United States Women’s National Team and was…