Welcome to Round 14 of Fantasy NWSL! We will preview the Match of the Week selected based on which fixture features the teams with the highest combined fantasy points per game played (FP/GP).
Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns:
With a combined FP/GP of 188.69, the match between Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns is the highest ranked Round 14 fixture when considering teams’ average earning performance.
| Fixture | Combined FP/GP |
| Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns | 188.69 |
| Angel City FC vs Chicago Red Stars | 184.79 |
| Houston Dash vs Racing Louisville FC | 175.00 |
| OL Reign vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | 167.65 |
| North Carolina Courage vs Kansas City Current | 167.57 |
| San Diego Wave FC vs Orlando Pride | 157.05 |
Statistical Comparison:
| Washington Spirit | Portland Thorns | |
| League Standing (Points) | 10th (12) | 1st (25) |
| Regular Season Record (W-L-D) | 1-5-9 | 6-1-7 |
| Record Last Five Games (W-L-D) | 0-2-3 | 2-0-3 |
| GF/GP | 1.00 | 2.43 |
| GA/GP | 1.27 | 1.00 |
| Goal Differential | -4 | 20 |
Players to Watch:
Washington Spirit:
- Sam Staab (DF): Per Nick’s analysis on “unluckiest” players in the league, Staab certainly creates plenty of offensive chances for her teammates. Her key passes haven’t yet yielded the type of output the team would have hoped for, but it’s likely that the talented Washington offense will make good on Staab’s deliveries if she keeps producing them. Her fantasy points certainly reflect her strong play, as she sits fifth in the league among defenders in fantasy points earned.
- Trinity Rodman (FW): The reigning Rookie of the Year ranks second on the Spirit in fantasy points earned, only behind Staab. Rodman has scored three goals in her last three matches for Spirit. And if the team wants to contend with the formidable Portland offense, Rodman will likely be relied upon to find the back of the net once again.
Portland Thorns:
- Sophia Smith (FW): Smith has been one of the best players in the NWSL this year thanks to her high-powered offensive production. She is tied for first place in the Golden Boot race with 11 goals in 11 games played. And her form is red hot having scored three goals in Portland’s last two matches.
- Kelli Hubly (DF): Hubly has been featured in prior “Match of the Week” previews, and for good reason. The central defender has played every minute of the season thus far. And her strong performances have placed her second in total fantasy points earned for defenders across the NWSL. It’s due in part to her efforts that Thorns’ GA/GP statistic is third best in the league.
Prediction:
This will be the second and final meeting between the squads in the 2022 regular season. The prior matchup was in May and ended as a 1-1 draw. Since then, the form of these teams has diverged with Portland ascending to the top of the table while the Spirit have gone winless.
These are two of the most explosive offensive teams in the league, so it could be a high-scoring affair. The defensive side of the ball is where Portland will have the edge. Washington’s defense has made a bad habit of committing untimely mistakes that lead to goals. Look for Portland to take advantage of any of those lapses and emerge from this clash with all three points.