This Week in PTFC | Timbers x2 + medals on the line

Timbers.com & ThornsFC.com Staff

Looking ahead

Another busy week for the Portland Timbers with two matches coming up, both at Providence Park. On Wednesday, the Timbers will take on the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, ROOT SPORTS) before turning around to host Real Salt Lake on Saturday (7:30pm PT, TICKETS, ROOT SPORTS).

For Thorns FC, they look to extend their five-game unbeaten streak when they play the Washington Spirit at Segra Field on Aug. 7 (4:30pm PT, Paramount+).

Proving their mettle for medals

In a tricky-to-watch Tokyo Olympics semifinal – at least for Thorns fans – that saw Christine Sinclair and Canada defeat Crystal Dunn, Adrianna Franch, Lindsey Horan and Becky Sauerbrunn of the USWNT 1-0, both teams will now vie for medals this week.

In a rematch of their Group G 0-0 draw, the U.S. faces Australia on Thursday, Aug. 5 in the bronze medal match (1am PT, NBCOlympics.com) followed by Canada in the gold medal match against Sweden (7pm PT, NBCOlympics.com).

Women’s International Champions Cup

Speaking of international play, some of the best women’s club teams in the world are coming to Providence Park Aug. 18-21 for the Women’s International Champions Cup (WICC) presented by Budweiser.

The four participants have each qualified for the WICC by winning championships in their 2020 tournaments, competitions, and leagues. The Thorns host the tournament and have qualified as winners of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. The remaining three clubs are Olympique Lyonnais, who qualified as winners of the 2020 UEFA Women’s Champions League and 2020 D1 Féminine, the Houston Dash, who qualified as winners of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, and FC Barcelona Femení, who qualified as winners of the 2020 Primera División winners.

Barcelona plays Lyon at 5:30pm PT on Aug. 18 with Portland hosting the dash at 8pm PT. A third place game on Saturday begins at 4:30pm PT with the championship at 7pm. Tickets get you to both games each day.