MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 81 degrees
Referee: Matthew Kreitzer
Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, J.J. Blodgett Fourth Official: Jason Perlewitz
Webstream: Available via www.FOXSportsGo.com
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MATCH DAY PREVIEW
Portland Thorns FC return to Providence Park for back-to-back home matches beginning with a midweek contest on Wednesday, Aug. 5, against the Boston Breakers; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Portland faces another busy eight-day stretch beginning on Wednesday and then plays hosts to the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, Aug. 9, before traveling to take on FC Kansas City on Wednesday, Aug. 12. In total, Thorns FC will have played six games in a span of 22 days.
The race is tight for the final playoff spot as four points separate fourth and seventh place in the league table. With six games remaining and a win on Wednesday, Thorns FC would be even on points with FC Kansas City (19pts) in fifth place, and just one point out of the fourth slot which is currently occupied by the Houston Dash (20pts).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Behind a goal and an assist from forward Christine Sinclair, Thorns FC claimed its first win on the road since June 21, 2014 defeating the Western New York Flash by a score of 2-0 on July 29 at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. Sinclair tallied her second goal of the 2015 campaign and Ayo recorded her first career NWSL and Thorns FC assist in the 33rd minute. Portland doubled its lead and secured the win as midfielder Allie Long finished a cross from Sinclair in the 80th minute. Goalkeeper MIchelle Betos made four saves earning a clean sheet.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BOSTON
Portland opened the 2015 campaign with a 4-1 win over the Breakers on April 11 at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won each of the last two meetings against Boston at home, outscoring the Breakers 10-4 in those two matches. In addition, a Thorns FC player has recorded multi goals in each of the last two home matches against Boston: Allie Long scored a brace in the April 11 meeting and forward Christine Sinclair recorded the club’s first hat-trick on July 20, 2014.
SCOUTING THE BREAKERS
Facing a quick turnaround, Boston (3-9-3, 12pts) visits Portland after suffering a 2-1 loss at home against Seattle Reign FC on Aug. 1 at Soldier Field Soccer Stadium. The Breakers play four of their remaining five games this season on the road, but are winless in 2015 away from home (0-4-2). Tom Durkin’s side is lead by forward Kristie Mewis who has tallied five goals in 15 matches to lead the Breakers this season. Forwards Morgan Marlborough and rookie Stephanie McCaffrey provide scoring options as well with three goals each this season. After the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Boston signed Australia Women’s National Team forward Kyah Simon. The Matildas striker has one goal in three games for the team. Additionally, the 2014 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, Alyssa Naeher, is back in the lineup after being away at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Thorns FC have posted a record of 7-2-3 in their last 12 matches at Providence Park, dating back to 2014. Portland has scored two or more goals in six of those matches, outscoring their opponents 27-13. Defensively, Thorns FC have held six of their seven opponents at home to single-digit shot attempts, while only allowing multiple goals in a match once in seven home matches this season. Individually, Long has tallied a goal or an assist in eight of Thorns FC’s last 12 home matches.
LIMITING CHANCES
Portland remains near the top of the league in several defensive categories and are tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league (16). Thorns FC have allowed multiple goals in a match just four times this season, and have allowed more than one goal at home this season just one time. In addition, Portland has allowed the fewest shots (135) and shots on goal (69) in the league.
NOTABLE STATS
Portland is 20-2-5 all-time when scoring first in a match, including a record of 3-1-0 this season. Thorns FC are 14-0-5 all-time when leading at the half and 24-6-10 when leading or tied at half. Thorns FC are 18-9-10 all-time when outshooting their opponents in a match. Also, Portland is 12- 6-5 when limiting its opponent to single-digit shot attempts in a match. When scoring two or more goals in a match, Portland has a record of 19-1-4 all-time.
MILESTONES
Midfielders Mana Shim and Kendall Johnson reached 50 career NWSL games played on July 29 against Western New York. Shim joins Long as the only other player to appear in 50 career games for Thorns FC, but forward Christine Sinclair currently sits at 48 career games played for the club as well. Other players that could potentially reach 50 career NWSL matches: midfielders Kaylyn Kyle (48) and Sinead Farrelly (46).
In addition, Sinclair and Long are in a back and forth battle for the top spot on the all-time scoring list. Sinclair briefly tied Long with her 17th goal against the Flash on July 29, but Long reclaimed the spot registering her 18th career tally late in the match. Sinclair did move into second place all-time in points (38) with a goal and an assist in the match. Long also became the first player in club history to surpass 5,000 career minutes played.
Long remains tied for first place in career assists for the club with nine, tied with forward Alex Morgan. She can claim sole possession of first place on the list, while also becoming the first player to record double-digit goals and assists if she registers an assist on Wednesday.
