MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 75 degrees
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Greeson, Andrew Deuker Fourth Official: Farhad Dadkho
Webstream:Available via www.foxsportsgo.com.
NOTE: Tonight's match is sold out.
- Fans holding 76 promotional vouchers can still redeem them for the August 30 match vs. Washington Spirit
- Fans holding Flex Plan tickets can redeem them for any other remaining regular season Thorns match
- Multnomah County Library night vouchers can redeem them for the Thorns FC August 30 match or the T2 vs. Sacramento Republic FC match on September 12
MATCH DAY PREVIEW
Portland Thorns FC and Cascadia-rival Seattle Reign FC square off in the first of two meetings in a five-day stretch, beginning on Wednesday, July 22, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). Prior to Wednesday’s match, the club will recognize its nine players, the most of any NWSL team, that represented their respective national teams at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Wednesday’s match is the first, and only, match between the two clubs during the regular season at Providence Park, and part of a stretch of three games in eight days for Portland.
Each of the last two meetings at Providence Park have finished with a 1-0 result. Seattle Reign FC came away with a late goal in a 1-0 win back on May 10, 2014, while Portland secured a NWSL Playoff berth on the final day of the regular season on Aug. 17, 2014 in front of 17,109 fans at Providence Park.
SCOUTING SEATTLE REIGN
Reign FC (6-3-3, 21pts) visit Portland on the back of a two-game road trip, suffering a 3-0 loss on the road against the Washington Spirit on July 18. Led by the trio of forward Beverly Yanez (6), Jessica Fishlock (5), Kim Little (4), Reign FC lead the league with 24 goals. Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer has filled in for U.S. Women’s National goalkeeper Hope Solo while away for the World Cup, posting a record of 5-1-3 in net, while ranking third in the NWSL with 36 saves.
AGAINST SEATTLE
Portland leads the all-time series with a record of 5-2-0, owning a 3-1-0 record at Providence Park. Thorns FC closed out the 2014 regular-season with a thrilling 1-0 victory over their Cascadia-rival to secure a spot in the NWSL Playoffs on the final day of the 2014 season. Midfielder Allie Long registered the game- winning assist on forward Alex Morgan’s game-winning goal in the second half of the match. In a tightly contested series, Portland has registered eight goals; three of which have come from forward Christine Sinclair.
HOT IN JULY
Thorns FC have posted a record of 5-3-6 all-time during the month of July, including a record of 4-1-3 at Providence Park. In eight homes matches, Portland has scored 24 goals, tallying multiple goals in six of those matches. In addition, Thorns FC set a NWSL single-game record for goals in a match, recording a 7-1 win against FC Kansas City on July 13, 2014 at Providence Park and followed that up with a 6-3 win over the Boston Breakers on July 20, 2014. Individually, midfielder Allie Long has been highly productive in July, recording six goals in 13 career matches. In addition, forward Christine Sinclair has six goals and two assists in 12 matches during the month of July since 2013, while defender Steph Catley has registered all four of her assists for the club in July.
STOUT DEFENSE
Portland remains near the top of the league in several defensive categories through the first half of the season. Thorns FC are tied for the second-fewest goals allowed in the league (11) this season, having conceded multiple goals in a match just three times. In addition, Portland has surrendered the fewest shots (91) and is tied for fewest shots on goal allowed (47) in the NWSL.
LONG IN FORM
Midfielder Allie Long continues to have another productive season for Thorns FC, tallying her fifth goal of the season on July 3, which ranks tied for third in the NWSL this season. In addition, Long ranks tied for third in assists (3), ranks fifth in shots (31) and fourth in shots on goal (17). The midfielder has tallied a goal or an assist in seven of Portland 11 games this season, including three of the team’s last five matches. Thorns FC are 3-0-1 this season when Long scores and all-time since 2013, Portland is 12-0-3 when Long scores a goal.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
Thorns FC have posted a record of 7-1-3 in their last 11 matches, including a mark of 3-1-2 during the 2015 campaign at Providence Park. Portland has scored two or more goals in six of those matches, outscoring their opponents 27-12. Defensively, Thorns FC have held five of its six opponents at home to single-digit shot attempts. Midfielder Allie Long has tallied a goal or an assist in eight of Thorns FC’s last 11 home matches.
NOTABLE STATS
Portland is 19-2-5 all-time when scoring first in a match, including a record of 2-1-0 this season. Thorns FC are 13-0-5 all-time when leading at the half and 23-5-10 when leading or tied at half. Thorns FC are 17-9-10 all-time when outshooting their opponents in a match. Also, Portland is 11-5-5 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 18-1-4 all-time.
MILESTONES
Several players are approaching 50 career NWSL games played: midfielder/defender Kendall Johnson (48), midfielder Mana Shim (47) and midfielder Sinead Farrelly (44). Additionally, forward Christine Sinclair (45), along with Shim, could also become one of a handful of players this year to reach 50 career NWSL games played for Thorns FC, joining midfielder Allie Long.
Midfielder Kendall Johnson is approaching 4,000 career minutes played as she currently sits at 3,990 minutes, while Sinclair has played 3,880 minutes. Defender Emily Menges will surpass 3,000 career minutes if she players at least 39 minutes on Wednesday. Defender Rachel Van Hollebeke could make her 40th career appearance for Thorns FC on Wednesday.
Long remains tied for first-place in career assists for the club with nine, tied with Thorns FC 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. In addition, Sinclair (16) sits one goal behind Long (17) in the all-time career scoring list.
