Looking Ahead
After a week that saw the Timbers play three games in seven days, Portland has a bit of break before traveling to face the LA Galaxy Friday at Dignity Health Sports Park (7pm PT, ESPN).
The Thorns, meanwhile, host a Sunday match at high noon against Kansas City NWSL at Providence Park (TICKETS, FOX 12 PLUS, Paramount+).
International Stage
The Thorns players on the U.S. Women’s National Team bounced back with a big 6-1 win over New Zealand in Tokyo Olympics group stage play. The USWNT will next play Australia at 1am PT on July 27 (NBCOlympics.com) in a key match to determine advancement.
The USA and Australia both have three points in Group G, but the USWNT is currently second in the group with a better overall goal difference (+2 to Australia’s -1), which is the first tiebreaker. The USA will finish second in the group with a win or a tie in the group finale against Australia. The top two teams from each group as well as the top-two third place teams advance to the knockout stages. The USA could still potentially get through to knockout rounds even with a loss, via one of two third-place berths to the quarterfinals, though would have to wait for results from Groups E and F.
For Christine Sinclair and Canada, following their 2-1 over Chile, they’re assured of at least a top three finish. They will next play Great Britain on July 27 at 4am PT (NBCOlympics.com) with first place in Group E on the line.
Timbers defender Claudio Bravo made his Olympic debut in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Egypt in Group C play on Sunday. With the top two teams in group play advancing, Argentina will face Spain on July 28 (4am PT, NBCOlympics.com) with everything to play for to advance to the quarterfinals. Read Bravo's check-in about his first impressions of Japan here.
A little closer to home, Timbers midfielder Eryk Williamson and the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Jamaica 1-0 in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. Williamson was available off the bench but did not make an appearance in the match.
The USMNT will next face Qatar in the semifinals on June 29 (4:30pm PT, FS1).
ICYMI
Have you been following the Thorns Show with Ann Schatz? In the most recent episode, Schatz chats with Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie about her becoming the youngest player in NWSL history, how her debut felt, what it’s like to play with some of the best players in the world and more.
You can watch the full episode via the Thorns YouTube page here or download the podcast.
PTFC Birthdays This Week:
- July 28: Thorns defender Emily Menges
