MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Showers, 66 degrees
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Assistant Referees: Christopher Elliott, Ceciah Valero Fourth Official: Jason Perlewitz
- TICKETS: Thorns vs. FCKC
MATCH DAY PREVIEW
Playing the second of back-to-back home matches, Portland plays host to FC Kansas City in the second and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs.
Portland and Kansas City squared off for the first time during the second week of the season, playing to a 1-1 draw. Portland rallied after surrendering a first- half goal, tallying the equalizer 78th minute to secure a point on the road.
Saturday’s match features two of the top defensive teams in the league this season. Portland has the top defense in the league, having allowed just seven goals this season, while Kansas City has conceded the third fewest goals in the NWSL (9).
LAST MATCH RECAP
After conceding an early goal, Thorns FC rallied to score twice and earn a 2-1 win against Sky Blue FC on July 2 at Providence Park. Midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir and forward Nadia Nadim both tallied their fourth goals of the campaign to help Portland secure the win at home. Brynjarsdottir headed home a corner kick from Nadim in the 38th minute to level the match after Sky Blue FC forward Tasha Kai put her club in front with a goal in the 30th minute. Pushing for the game-winning goal, midfielder Hayley Raso earned a penalty kick for Thorns FC and Nadim stepped to the spot and converted to give Portland a 2-1 advantage with the goal in the 62nd minute.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday’s match marks the second and final meeting during the regular season between Portland and FC Kansas City. Portland is 3-1-1 all-time against FC Kansas City at Providence Park, scoring 17 goals in five home matches. The last time the two teams met at Providence Park on June 19, 2015, goalkeeper Michelle Betos scored a dramatic equalizer in the final moments of second-half stoppage time to help Thorns FC earn a 1-1 draw.
SCOUTING KANSAS CITY
FC Kansas City (2-5-4, 10pts) comes into Saturday’s match, following a 2-0 loss on the road to the Washington Spirit on July 9. The loss snapped a four-game unbeaten streak for the Kansas City. A strong defensive team, FC Kansas City has conceded just nine goals this season, allowing multiple goals in a match just twice this season. Led by veteran goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, FC Kansas City has registered four shutouts this season, including three in their last five matches. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s side ranks second to last in the league in goals scored, tallying just six goals this season and only two of those goals have been scored in road matches. Midfielder Yael Averbuch and forward Shea Groom have notched two goals each this season, while midfielder Erika Tymrak has a goal and an assist.
