Kansas City Current crushes Portland Thorns and extends home unbeaten streak | OneFootball

Kansas City Current opened the 2025 NWSL season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Portland Thorns, before a packed CPKC Stadium. The team not only reaffirmed its home superiority, where it has remained unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions, but also reiterated its capacity to play with the league's top teams.

The game had individual brilliance, breathtaking goals, and the level of intensity that only top women's soccer can provide. Temwa Chawinga, the league MVP and Golden Boot winner from last season, did not waste any time, scoring four minutes in to show that 2024 was not a one-off. Michelle Cooper doubled the advantage with a beautiful long-range goal, and Debinha, ever present in the right spot, put the icing on the cake before halftime.

Current leaves Thorns with no chance

Kansas City came out to play knowing exactly what it intended to do: attack. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski had already emphasized that the team had to take the energy from the crowd and turn it into their game, and the players were able to implement the plan flawlessly.

"I loved it. Obviously, we wanted to start with something to aim for, or lots of things to aim for, but honestly, I didn't think we were going to get three in the first half, which got us off on a good note," Andonovski said.

His passion was not for naught. The Current not only asserted an early lead, but also set the tone, bullied high, and suffocated Portland, with visitors struggling to find their balance. Total domination in the first half, with a ruthless midfield and never-say-die forward line.

Chawinga doesn't stop and breaks the deadlock

For anyone wondering if Temwa Chawinga would take time to find her rhythm after her incredible 2024 season, she did not take long to prove them otherwise. Four minutes into the match, the forward reminded everyone why she's among the most dreaded players in the league.

Vanessa DiBernardo started the game by gaining possession of the ball in the middle of the field and passing it to Debinha. The Brazilian accelerated into a gallop and slid a pinpoint pass to Chawinga, who accepted it in stride and floated it over Mackenzie Arnold, who had no chance.

This was Chawinga's sixth-consecutive regular season game with a goal. The second was every bit as sensational as the first, if such is possible. Michelle Cooper in the 24th minute finished with a touch of magic. Lo'eau LaBonta, on the left, gave Cooper some room. The forward, under pressure from defense, touched the ball twice and released a shot from distance that arced into the top left corner of the goal.

Debinha ends first half in style

Kansas City was not keen on relaxing. They continued to apply pressure and scored a third goal in the 38th minute, with Debinha being the architect.

The action started with Debinha herself, collecting the ball up high on the field before playing it into space on the right to Michelle Cooper. Cooper delivered a low cross into the box, which Arnold dived to reach, but the ball was deflected directly into Debinha's path. Well-placed, she slotted it home serenely.

That objective was historic: it represented Debinha's 48th career NWSL regular-season goal, and it brought her into a tie with Sydney Leroux and Christen Press for eighth on the league's all-time scoring list.

Thorns battle back, Current stands firm

Portland played tougher in the second half, attempting to narrow the gap and get back into the contest. In the 49th minute, Olivia Moultrie scored to give the visitors a lifeline.

The Thorns also had their golden opportunity to narrow the game in the 79th minute, when they were given a penalty after VAR review. Moultrie converted the opportunity, but her kick struck against the crossbar, and the score was still at 3-1. Then Kansas City gained control of the game and concluded the match.