Both PTFC clubs have home matches this week as Challenge Cup-leading Thorns FC host a rival, OL Reign, on Wednesday (7:00 p.m. PT, CBS Sports Network) while the Timbers host Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT, FOX 12 PLUS) in their MLS home opener.
What's on tap for Thorns
The Thorns look to continue their strong start to the season when they take on Wednesday at Providence Park. A victory over the Reign will give Portland three straight victories to start a year for the first time in club history.
Welcome Back
The Timbers will kick off their MLS home campaign when they welcome the Dynamo to Providence Park for a Saturday night match. Portland is 17-8-5 all-time in regular-season home openers across all eras of the club.
Timbers Opponent Connections
Dynamo defender Zarek Valentin spent four seasons with Timbers, playing in 92 MLS matches for Portland. Valentin was named the Timbers Community MVP on three different occasions (2016, 2018, and 2019).
Thorns Opponent Connections
The Thorns and Reign have competed against each other since the NWSL's inaugural season of 2013. The clubs met three times last season, with Portland beating OL Reign twice in the Fall Series after the clubs drew their match in Challenge Cup.
#StatMan randomness
- The air distance between Portland and OL Reign's home of Tacoma, Washington, is 121 miles. That is the closest distance between any two NWSL clubs.
- Saturday's home opener will be the 31st home opener in club history, and it will be the first time a team from Texas has played in a Timbers home opener.
- Dynamo manager Tab Ramos scored two of his eight international goals for the U.S. men's national team in Portland. The first was the lone goal in a World Cup Qualifying win over Costa Rica in 1997, and the other was in a 2-0 win in a friendly against Kuwait.
- Thorns defender Meaghan Nally made her club debut in the team's 1-0 win over Chicago. Nally, who was the 25th selection in the 2020 NWSL Draft, is the second Thorns defender from Georgetown University, along with Emily Menges.
Five numbers to know
5Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch delivered five saves in Portland's last match. The five saves were the most by Franch since she made 10 saves against the North Carolina Courage on Aug. 11, 2019.
4The last time Houston and Portland met at Providence Park was June 22, 2019, when the Timbers defeated the Dynamo, 4-0. Diego Valeri scored a goal and notched three assists in the match, the only time in Timbers MLS history that a player has had a goal and three or more assists in a single match.
+9In their last six matches dating back to last season, the Thorns are 5-0-1, with wins in all three of their home matches in that span. In those games, Portland has a plus-9 goal differential.
6The Timbers conceded just six shots against Whitecaps FC on Sunday. It was the fewest shots by a Timbers opponent since July 18, 2019.
2014Emily Menges made her season debut for the Thorns in their 1-0 win over Chicago, entering as a substitute in the second half. It was the first appearance off the bench for Menges since July 4, 2014.
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