Portland Thorns FC Quotes
Portland Thorns FC head coach Mark Parsons
Overall thoughts on the match…
“It’s going to be a tough game coming back from the East Coast and coming back from a game that we used a lot of energy and we didn’t get anything out of. We had a good intense focus this week, we’ve obviously been banged up and we lost a couple more players over this period and coming in a little light handed. Coming into this game, missing a few players, winning and getting three points against a team that’s going to be right up there in the mix was great. I think it’s an important three points and an important result. It was a scrappy game, there wasn’t much momentum or rhythm for either team, that’s probably what it’s going to be like in this league for the next two, three or four games – that’s what it’s going to be like. Then it starts to calm down. Important one for us and now we build off this heading into a big one against Seattle next week.”
On the play of the defense today…
“It takes everyone to defend for your team and it takes everyone to attack. The performance, another clean sheet, the second clean sheet in three games. I was disappointed, we deserved one through the battle last week and they snuck one in there near the end in the 81st minute against Carolina. It took everyone to defend, but AD [Adrianna Franch] was outstanding, the saves she’s been making and when the ball goes up in the box from crossing in wide areas, she’s been outstanding for us and is an important piece. Seeing her distribution today, there was a high line from Chicago and they were trying to press us like every team has been doing and AD has been able to get us out of that pressure and play longer and get it into higher people – it gets us going forward. Everyone was responsible for the clean sheet, but AD had a special performance. She’s been outstanding these three games and we’re excited for her moving forward to keep building on this.”
On Celeste Boureille and Meghan Cox playing outside back…
“Clean sheet in this league is unbelievably difficult. A clean sheet when you have two new pieces, because defending we have great defenders, we have great players. [Meghan] Cox and [Celeste] Boureille are great individual players, just like the rest of our defenders, but the chemistry and tactical work you do it as a unit. Those two, Cox has been thrown in, this four is trying to understand and still get to know each other in this side. Last year we had a whole year of reps with our backline, with that new chemistry trying to build and get a clean sheet is very good and everyone is a part of it. I was very impressed with Cox, undrafted player who’s come into preseason and smashed it in preseason, like all of our players that were invited in - we wish we could have them all on contract, and now she got her first game last week and now a start today. Good, now we’ve got to get better. It was a grind for everyone today, now let’s build off this. We’ve got to keep trying to get individually better and as a team get better.”
On the lack of goals in the run of play…
“A goal is a goal, two wins out of three, two at home is two wins. We could’ve scored a couple more today, we could have scored a lot more against Orlando and we could have scored two or three in the first 20 against North Carolina. Our focus has to be on producing and creating these opportunities. I remember last year it took us awhile, it was 0-0’s, 1-0’s, 2-1’s and towards the end if we stay focused on what we’re trying to be here, when that game gives us a chance to bang in goals, we’ll be there to take it. We’ve got to keep creating and I believe the goals will come.”
On the team’s ability to bounce back after last week’s loss to the North Carolina Courage…
“Very important after the game last week, but also during this game. Wish we had that second goal as a bit more cover and protection, we were under a lot of pressure the last five or 10, and two new young defenders in the backline. We’ve got [Hayley] Raso just come back off a knock and we’ve got Lindsey [Horan] coming back from injury, it was a real grind and a battle out there. It’s great when you’ve got a lot of experience and you’ve got people like Sinc [Christine Sinclair] and Allie [Long] calming people down, and you’ve got AD who was relieving a lot of pressure for us today. Think it was a big time performance from her, not only relieving pressure when Chicago got momentum, but also to get us going further up the pitch.”
Portland Thorns FC defender Emily Menges
On the chemistry in the Portland backline with two new outside backs in the lineup…
“We have a good amount of depth on the backline. Obviously we have injuries that are a bummer, but it’s coming together nicely. Defensively I thought we played well as a backline. We played cohesively. Our line was way better. That’s something we’ve been working on all week. Even with the injuries, the new players are doing great. Meghan Cox, for her first NWSL start ever, that was incredible. We’re happy with where we’re at.”
On keeping a second clean sheet in three matches…
“That’s our goal every single game, to get a clean sheet. We want to win obviously, but there’s only so much [the Thorns defense] can do. So defensively, a clean sheet is our ultimate goal. That feels pretty good. We trust in AD. We’re happy she’s crushing it.”
On Adrianna Franch’s performance…
“It helps us a ton. Having her behind us just adds an extra element of comfort back there. She saved our butt a few times today. We’re grateful to have her. She’s doing a great job. That’s what you need out of a keeper. You need someone who’s going to come, whenever it’s in her range, come out and get it. If she doesn’t come, you know immediately it is her problem and you need to do it. If she can get to it, she’s going to get to it.”
Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch
On Chicago’s late pressure in the match…
“I think with our team as a whole, especially the backline, they were the reason we got the shutout. We won our individual battles, we made sure our line was tighter than it has been in the past, and I think as a whole, we took care of the numbers that did come forward.”
On the chemistry in the backline with two new outside backs…
“That comes a lot in preseason and everyone coming together. I think the chemistry, even outside being new defenders, is easy when we’re collectively a group. We’re able to communicate with each other and as long as we have that communication, they can be in the right spots. The shape, the movement, it makes it easier for them to come into those positions.”
On getting a clean sheet…
“That’s one of the things that I think our backline and I cherish, especially here at home. If you have a clean sheet, you’re more than likely going to win right? At least tie. You’re definitely going to get a point and points are what are important. Hopefully we’ll continue to do that and continue to get our points and be in a really good place at the end of the season.”
Notes:
· Nadia Nadim scored her 11th career game-winning goal, moving her into a tie for first-place all-time in NWSL history with Kim Little.
· Portland has won six straight regular-season matches at Providence Park, dating back to the 2016 season.
· During their six-game, regular-season home-winning streak, Thorns FC have recorded four shutouts.
· Saturday’s match marked the 12th meeting all-time between Chicago and Portland. Thorns FC has only played more games against Seattle (13) since 2013.
· Portland improved to 5-1-6 all-time against Chicago, extending its streak to nine games unbeaten against the Red Stars.
· Meghan Cox made her first professional start in her Thorns FC home debut in the match.
· Allie Long started her 80th career match for Portland becoming the eighth player in NWSL history to reach this milestone. In addition, Long is one of five players to make 80 starts all with the same club.
· Nadim has converted seven consecutive penalty-kick attempts since joining the league in 2015. Additionally, has scored a penalty kick against six different NWSL teams.
· Adrianna Franch recorded her 12th career NWSL shutout, which is tied for fourth most in league history.
