Which matchups should you focus on in Round 8?

by | May 18, 2023 | NWSL

A blonde with a long ponytail runs away from the camera facing right. She wears a black soccer uniform with her name in white across the back and black socks, with dirty white cleats dribbling a white and pink soccer ball as teammates look on, to the right of the image is an opponent in the background dressed in orange. The red stadium seats can be seen in the background.

Now that we have seven matches in the books, it becomes a little easier to make FNWSL decisions based on weekly NWSL matchups. The one that REALLY jumps out this week is Sunday’s matinee in Oregon between the Thorns and Red Stars. Even after being blanked in Houston over the weekend, Portland still has a considerable lead over the rest of the pack in both goals (18) and expected goals (15.4). Chicago, meanwhile, has conceded four more times than any other team (18) and has by far the highest expected goals allowed (14.8). Based on these stats, both teams may regress towards the mean as the season continues, but this may be the best matchup all season for the prolific Portland attack. I’d put as many Thorns in your side as possible this week (for those of you following along at home, that’s the second time I’ve used that pun this season) – check here if you need to decide which ones. 

Don’t overlook the Orlando-Washington game this week either. This matchup is essentially the exact opposite of the Portland-Chicago game – in this case it is the league’s best defense visiting the lowest-scoring NWSL team. Orlando has only scored five times this season (7.5 xG) and Washington has only conceded five times (7.9 xGA). It’s likely a good week to start a few Washington DFs, as well as a great opportunity for Aubrey Kingsbury in goal.