With all the World Cup players gone, FNWSL managers need to balance the increased opportunity for some players with the potential decrease in effectiveness caused by multiple starters suddenly being away from the team.
In that vein, some FNWSL managers may have been alarmed by Portland failing to find the net at home against Kansas City this weekend. However, though the Current have conceded more goals this season than any team outside of Chicago, in terms of expected goals allowed, they are actually a middling defensive squad (6th in the NWSL). And, though Portland was held scoreless, the Thorns still reached an xG of 1.60, meaning that their offense was still relatively effective over the course of the game – they just didn’t score.
Therefore, I wouldn’t be in a rush to remove any Thorns from your side this week (unless of course you have actual thorns in your side, in which case I would recommend removing those as soon as possible). Morgan Weaver and Sam Coffey both logged a full 90 minutes and each posted double digit fantasy points despite Portland not scoring a goal. They created 10 chances between them and racked up six shots, so the fantasy points should increase over the next few weeks.
Also, remember that Bella Bixby, Natalia Kuikka, Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, and company were just a penalty kick away from getting a clean sheet, so don’t give up on the Portland defense yet either.