What to Expect in the 2022 NWSL Final
The stage is set, and the 2022 NWSL Final is finally upon us. Audi Field in Washington D.C. will play host to a huge day for Women’s Soccer. The matchup features a stark contrast between franchises. On one side is the perennial contender whose expectation is to win every single year. The other side features a new team under a new name. FC Kansas City has won two NWSL titles before, but that was with completely different players, coaches and ownership. The Kansas City Current could cap their Cinderella run as the No. 5 seed and win it all this weekend. So let’s break down the 2022 NWSL Final with a special preview to end the NWSL season.
#2 Portland Thorns vs. #5 Kansas City Current, Saturday, October 29th, 8:00pm EST/5:00pm PST, CBS
Kansas City is on the verge of something that has never been done before. In any major sport, there’s never been a team that went from worst to first. The Current were bottom of the table last year and, this year could actually win the title. We need to appreciate that kind of turnaround.
Kansas City started to find its footing and team chemistry towards the end of last year, and by keeping the whole group together, they were able to carry it forward into this year. Alex Loera, Lo’eau Labonta, Kristen Hamilton, and Hailie Mace are their key contributors, but their experienced backline and Adrianna Franch in goal have also been fantastic.
They’ve gone under the radar with everyone talking about San Diego, Portland, and the OL Reign, and with less attention, they’ve played freely. Well, the spotlight will be even bigger now, and they’ve got the chance to do something unprecedented.
Unfortunately, for Kansas City, the Thorns have been a horrible matchup for them. In six meetings all-time, the Thorns have never lost to the Current, with four wins and two draws. However, the Current can still look at their 1-1 draw with Portland back in September as a good sign, with both goals scored late in the match. That’s exactly what Kansas City needs to do, keep the game low-scoring, but they are capable of stealing the game late on or holding onto a lead if they score early.
While Portland is a very prestigious franchise with a winning track record, its last title was in 2017. Five years is a long time for this fan base to wait, and the Thorns have been building for this moment and this game in front of them. In the 2020 NWSL Draft, Portland addressed an issue that has haunted them over the last couple of years: goal scoring.
They changed everything by taking Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft. Both players are capable of seizing the game by the scruff of its neck and dominating, and that’s what Portland will be hoping their star strikers can do. The Thorns will get their third NWSL crown if Smith and Weaver play well. Kansas City’s run has been incredible, but Rhian Wilkinson is looking to make her own history as well. A first-year coach winning it all would also be a fantastic feat. But, the Thorns were here before, and they should get the job done in the 2022 NWSL final.
Prediction: Thorns Win 2-1
Featured images via @thornfc and @thekccurrent on Twitter
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