The Thorns had to play their third game this week in Kansas City. Although they had tired legs, they didn't slow down... at least at first.
The XI
The lineup was pretty much the same as on Wednesday, except for the addition of Carolyn Calzada in the centerback position instead of Isabella Obaze, and Reilyn Turner instead of Mimi Alidou.
Portland Thorns FC
Olivia Moultrie didn't start but she was available off the bench after not being available for the past two matches.
First half highlights
9' Tordin fires a dangerous cross right across the mouth of the goal, but no one in black is there to get on the end of it.
11' Save off the line! Croix Bethune cooks the Thorns backline, Cooper gets a shot off at point-blank range, but the rookie is there to block the ball right off the line.
14' Sophia Wilson scores! SHE SNEAKS THE BALL IN AT THE NEAR POST TO MAKE IT 1-0.
SOPHIA WILSON'S ON A ROLL 🔥
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 24, 2026
Soph scores her fourth goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/vyih0oZ8EF
31' Macca Arnold makes a big save and denies Rodríguez.
38' M.A. Vignola tries her luck and shoots from almost the same position she did against Bay. The ball went out but not by much.
40' Kansas City scored through Lo'eau Labonta.
Halftime: Portland Thorns 1 - 1 Kansas City Current
Second half highlights
Halftime substitution: Mimi Alidou enters for M.A. Vignola
47' Sophia's shot forces goalkeeper Lorena to make a save and gets Portland a corner
53' Big save by Macca Arnold to deny Bethune.
54' Mallie McKenzie enters for Reilyn Turner.
56' Sentnor with the low shot. KC is pushing.
63' Kansas scores through Chawinga.
67' Break it in case of emergency. Olivia Moultrie was receiving indications before subbing in.
68' Reyna Reyes scored but the goal was disallowed due to offside.
72' Substitutions: Olivia Moultrie and Jayden Perry enter for Cassandra Bogere and Sam Hiatt.
90+3' Kansas City scores again through Hopkins.
Full time: Portland Thorns 1 - 3 Kansas City Current
Final thoughts
Portland couldn't make the transitional attacks they usually do and that played a part in the final score. The defense wasn't sharp for this match and it was clearly noticed in the second goal Kansas scored when Chawinga was wide open in the far post.
By the 23' the writing was all over the wall with KC showing they could be dangerous around Portland's box. By then, the visitors held but Kansas made some dangerous runs that the backline barely tracked.
Just as the Thorns have become strong when playing at home this season, so has Kansas City. With this win, they have recorded nine straight wins at home, a new league record. Besides that, in four of those matches, KC came from behind.
On the other hand, Portland is not doing well when playing on the road. They have conceded three goals in back-to-back road matches and have conceded all their goals when playing away.
When you look at the stats above, you can see that it's not like the Thorns didn't shoot at all or didn't generate chances but they were not quality shots or quality chances. That's the reason why the xG for Portland was low compared to KC's, although they had a similar amount of shots and SOTs.
The loss also means they're not at the top of the table anymore; now they're second. Not a bad position, but losing the first place always stings.
Stay tuned for more analysis on this game during the week.
