“A team accustomed to winning”: Why Portland Thorns’ self-belief helped defeat Kansas City Current in the NWSL Championship – tactical analysis

For many players, coaches and others involved in the NWSL, 2022 will not provide many fond memories, with it being remembered as the year when a dark shadow was cast on the league as the investigation into player abuse and its cover-up reached its conclusion.

However, whilst Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current share in that sadness, they will also look back on this year with some happiness, as both made it through the league’s play-off rounds and reached the NWSL Championship. History would be made at Washington DC’s Audi Field at the weekend, with Portland, who had seen off former Manchester United Women boss Casey Stoney’s San Diego Wave in the semi-finals, looking to become the first team ever to win three Championship titles, whilst Kansas, who had overcome Shield winners OL Reign, were hoping to lift the trophy in only their second season in existence.

Only one could win though, and this tactical analysis will look at why it was the Thorns who got their hands on the trophy after 90 minutes. The analysis will specifically examine how they maintained control of the game throughout the match, as well as how Kansas’ tactics let them down in the first half and why the changes that they made did have some effect even though they ended up as runners-up.

Lineups

Portland Thorns made just one change from the team that got the better of San Diego, with Japan international Hina Sugita dropping to the bench and Canada legend Christine Sinclair returning to the starting eleven after being a replacement in that game. Former Chelsea Women player Crystal Dunn, who scored the winning goal against the Wave, was once again named on the bench as she continued her return from maternity leave, whilst newly-crowned 2022 Most Valuable Player Sophia Smith, the league’s second top-scorer this season with 13 goals (before this game), was hoping to end what has been a breakthrough season for her on a high note.

Kansas City Current, meanwhile, fielded the same side that had knocked OL out at Lumen Field, with head coach Matt Potter aiming for consistency in order to give his team the best possible chance of getting their hands on the trophy. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and defender Elizabeth Ball both played for Portland at one time or another and lined up against their former club, whilst forward Cece Kizer and defender Addisyn Merrick, who both joined the team halfway through the season from Racing Louisville, were once again included.