MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 77 degrees
Referee: Chipalo Street
Assistant Referees: Christopher Elliott, Andrew Brooks Fourth Official: JP Spicer-Escalante
NEW PROVIDENCE PARK ENTRANCE SECURITY PROCEDURES
Beginning at the Portland Thorns FC match against the Chicago Red Stars on June 22, 2016, all guests entering Providence Park will be subject to new enhanced security screening procedures, including metal detector screening prior to admittance to all Thorns & Portland Timbers matches. The new security measures are being put in place at all MLS soccer venues.
With the new policies in place, we are encouraging all fans to arrive extra early for matches to minimize wait times and potential delays entering Providence Park. Remember, early entry into the stadium for Timbers matches includes concession discounts—courtesy of Simple—of up to 25 percent on all concessions beginning the hour after the first gates open (e.g. between 5:30-6:30 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. match).
This enhanced screening includes walkthrough metal detectors (magnetometers), and a recently implemented bag size policy (bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6” are not be allowed into Providence Park). Providence Park does not offer storage of prohibited items or oversized bags for guests, so everyone is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new policies.
Guests with special medical and dietary needs will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis with respect and minimal inconvenience.
All five gates at Providence Park will have magnetometers. Click here for additional information.
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Following back-to-back road games, Portland Thorns FC face a quick turnaround, playing their second match in the last six days on Wednesday, June 22, squaring off the Chicago Red Stars.
Wednesday’s match is just the fourth home match this season for Thorns FC. Portland is tied for the fewest home games played (4) through the first nine weeks of the season, but have earned more points through road matches than any other NWSL club (10).
Portland and Chicago head into the match as two of the top scoring teams in the league with 12 and 11 goals, respectively, and two of the top defenses with Thorns FC conceding just five goals and the Red Stars allowing six goals.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing the second of back-to-back road matches, Thorns FC improved to 2-0- 4 on the road this season with a 2-0 win against the Western New York Flash on June 17 at Rhinos Stadium. Portland scored a pair of second-half goals in the win as forward Christine Sinclair scored for a second straight match. Finding space in the middle of the field, midfielder Allie Long split the defense with a pass to Sinclair just outside the box and she finished from distance into bottom left corner in the 48th minute. Thorns FC doubled their lead in the 73rd minute through forward Nadia Nadim. Midfielder Tobin Heath was fouled in the goal box by defender Elizabeth Eddy, giving Portland its first penalty-kick attempt of the season. Nadim converted, scoring her second goal of the season to give Portland the lead. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch registered a season-high seven saves as Thorns FC kept their fourth clean sheet of the campaign.
SCOUTING THE RED STARS
Chicago heads into Wednesday’s match sitting in first place in the league standings with a record of 5-1-3 after registering a 3-0 win at home against the Boston Breakers on June 18. The Red Stars are unbeaten in their last eight matches and Wednesday’s match will be the first of four straight on the road after playing three consecutive at home. Chicago boasts the top goal scorer in the league in forward Christen Press, who has tallied four goals for the Red Stars. Forward Sofia Huerta is an attacking option for Chicago as well as she tallied a brace against Boston in the last match. Defensively, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher directs a defense that has posted a league-best five shutouts. Naeher has surrendered just five goals this season. Additionally, the midfield trio of Alyssa Mautz, Vanessa DiBernardo and Danielle Colaprico have combined for all seven of the team’s assists.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday’s match marks the 11th all-time meeting between Chicago and Portland as well as the second match between the two teams in the last 11 days. Thorns FC and the Red Stars played to a 1-1 draw at Toyota Park on June 12 - marking the sixth draw in the last seven matches against the two clubs. Portland leads the all-time series with a record of 3-1-6, including a mark of 1-1-2 at Providence Park. Portland earned a 2-1 win against Chicago in last year’s meet- ing at Providence Park on Aug. 9, 2015, as midfielder Allie Long scored a brace. Forward Christine Sinclair has tallied five goals in nine career games against Chicago.
