KC Current vs. Portland Thorns: Can Kansas City stop the slide?

The Kansas City Current will play their third straight road match on Saturday, traveling to face the Portland Thorns at Providence Park. First-year head coach Chris Armas will be hoping to end a two-match losing streak that has quickly shifted the mood around a Shield-winning team.

Kansas City fell 3-0 to the Seattle Reign in midweek, and the match was effectively over within 33 minutes. Down 3-0 early, the Current never recovered, and the performance raised real concerns about the new head coach.

Attack misfiring despite promising numbers

The bigger issue is at the other end of the field in the attack. The Current have scored just one goal across their last two matches, and Armas is searching for answers. Heading into matchday No. 4, Kansas City sits 11th with three points from nine.

The underlying numbers suggest something different. The Current have an xG of 4.4 through three matches, the fourth-highest in the NWSL. But that attacking promise disappeared against Seattle, where they produced a pitiful 0.47 xG. The chances are there over time, but not consistently enough where it matters. 

Armas started rookie striker Gianni Paul against the Reign. It was her first-ever NWSL start. Armas is searching for attacking answers and may turn elsewhere for the trip to Portland.

Portland looking to bounce back as well

Portland enters the match in fifth place with six points from 12. Head coach Robert Vilahamn saw his side open the season with back-to-back wins over the Washington Spirit and Seattle before falling 3-1 to the San Diego Wave in midweek.

Like Kansas City, the Thorns are looking for a response. A win could push them to the top of the table, depending on other results, which tells you how tight the early NWSL standings are.

Defensively, Portland have been solid, conceding just three goals in three matches—all of them against San Diego. They have scored four times, showing a more balanced profile than the Current at this stage.

Tactical questions and key absences

Armas opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against Seattle, with Paul leading the line in her first start. With injuries continuing to limit options, the 21-year-old could feature again. Although Armas may look for a more established player to play as the No. 9.

Vilahamn deployed a 4-4-2 against the Wave but may reconsider after conceding three goals. Adjustments on both sides feel possible given how midweek unfolded.

The Current’s injury list remains significant. Alana Cook, Clare Gagne, Temwa Chawinga, Mary Long, Meila Brewer, and Bayley Feist were all unavailable in midweek, while Vanessa DiBernardo remains out on maternity leave.

History favors Kansas City but does it matter now?

Recent history leans heavily toward Kansas City. The Current have won their last five matches against the Thorns, including a 3-1 win at home last season with goals from Chawinga, Michelle Cooper, and Debinha. All three were scored within 36 minutes. They also won 2-0 at Providence Park, with Ellie Wheeler and Chawinga on the scoresheet. Chawinga’s potential absence on Saturday will be another huge blow for the Current.

Portland’s Pietra Tordin, who has two goals and two assists this season, represents a real threat and the kind of in-form attacker Kansas City currently lacks. 

For the Current, this isn’t just another road game. It’s an early test of whether this group can respond or whether deeper issues are starting to surface. Armas was a controversial hire in the offseason. A third straight loss would turn the heat up on the head coach.