PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC play host to Pacific Northwest-rival Seattle Reign FC in the regular-season finale on Sunday at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).
Sunday’s match, presented by Alaska Airlines, will be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet Northwest.
Entering the final week of the regular season, Thorns FC remain in the hunt for one of two final NWSL playoff spots, but could see their fate decided before Sunday’s match. The result of Saturday’s match between the Chicago Red Stars and Western New York Flash is paramount for Thorns FC. Portland must hope for a loss or draw by Chicago to remain in contention for the postseason as a Red Stars win on Saturday would eliminate Thorns FC. With a Chicago loss or draw on Saturday, Portland still faces a must-win situation on Sunday against Seattle in order to leapfrog the Red Stars for the final postseason berth. Click here for updated postseason scenarios.
Thorns FC are unbeaten in four consecutive home matches heading into Sunday’s match against Seattle and have won three straight at Providence Park. In the last four home matches, Portland has outscored its opponents 16-6, while holding a 14-3 advantage in goals in its last three wins at home. Midfielder Vero Boquete has tallied at least one point in six consecutive home matches. All four of Boquete’s goals and five of her six assists this season have come in home matches, while forward Christine Sinclair has scored five of her seven goals this season at Providence Park.
Portland continues to lead the league in shots (352), shots on goal (171) and corner kicks (147). Sinclair set a NWSL single-game record for shots on goal (7) in Portland’s 2-0 loss against Boston on Aug. 10 at Harvard Stadium. The league leader in shots (77) and shots on goal (40), Sinclair registered 11 shots against Boston, becoming the third player in league history to record 10 or more shots in a single match.
Individually, forward Jessica McDonald is tied for third in the NWSL in goals (11), while midfielder Allie Long is tied for fifth (9). Long also leads the league in corner kicks (111). Boquete remains among league leaders with six assists. Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer ranks fifth in the league with 69 saves.
Thorns FC lead the all-time series against Seattle (4-2-0) and are 2-1-0 at Providence Park against Reign FC, dating back to the 2013 season. In the most recent meeting, Seattle grabbed two goals in the first half and Portland was unable to recover from a halftime deficit in a 5-0 loss on July 27 at Moda Health Pitch at Memorial Stadium.
Seattle (16-1-6, 54pts) has already earned the top seed in the NWSL playoffs as well as home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Reign FC are unbeaten in their last six matches and have outscored their opponents, 16-5, in those games. Seattle lead the league in goals scored (50) and have conceded the fewest goals (19) in the NWSL, giving up multiple goals just three times in 23 matches this season. Midfielder Kim Little leads the league with 16 goals, while forward Naho Kawasumi ranks tied for fifth with nine goals.
TEAM NEWS
NWSL playoff picture taking shape as regular season nears its conclusion
Thorns FC along with the Chicago Red Stars, Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC all have a shot at the final two NWSL playoff spots entering the final week of the regular season. Portland can potentially earn the third seed in the playoffs, earning a trip to FC Kansas City on Aug. 23 or end up in the fourth spot and face off against Seattle Reign FC for a second consecutive week on Aug. 24, depending on results this weekend. For a rundown of the Thorns FC playoff picture click here.
Morgan, Long named to U.S. Women’s National Team roster for friendly match
Forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Allie Long have been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for an upcoming international friendly against Switzerland on Aug. 20. The U.S. Women’s National Team will face Switzerland on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on ussoccer.com. For the complete release click here.
Stumptown Dumplings to be featured food cart Sunday at Providence Park
As part of the match-day experience at Providence Park, fans can enjoy food from four of Portland’s most popular food carts through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA). Featured on Sunday at Providence Park will be Stumptown Dumplings.
Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City’s vibrant food-cart culture. In addition to Stumptown Dumplings, Big-Ass Sandwiches, 808 Grinds and Nong’s Khao Man Gai also will be featured at Providence Park in 2014 at both Timbers and Thorns FC home games. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/ptfca-members.
Thorns FC new team store at Providence Park
Thorns FC, in partnership with Gameday Merchandising and Nike, have an official team store at Providence Park, located in the southeast corner of the stadium adjacent to the Providence Sports Care Center. General hours of business for the new Thorns FC store are Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fans can also purchase Thorns gear online here.
