MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016
Kickoff: 2 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 57 degrees
Referee: Marco Vega
Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Benjamin Wooten Fourth Official: Farhad Dadkho
National TV: FS1
Talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Kyndra de St. Aubin (analyst)
TV PROGRAMMING UPDATE
Due to a FOX scheduling conflict, today's match will begin on FS2 (Channels 618 on DirecTV, 397 on Dish Network and 198 on Frontier Fios in Portland).
The match will resume on FS1 (channels 723 on Comcast, 219 on DirecTV, 150 on Dish Network and 583 on Frontier Fios)in progress once the conflicting event finishes. Match is also available online via FOX Sports GO app and online at FOXSportsGO.com.
In addition, the game can be seen via YouTube above.
MATCH DAY PREVIEW
Sunday’s NWSL Playoffs semifinal match marks the first time Portland has hosted a playoff game. This will be the third meeting of the 2016 season, and 12th meeting all-time in all competitions, between Thorns FC and the Western New York Flash. Portland is undefeated in two meetings this season against the Flash, earning a 2-0 win at Sahlen’s Stadium on June 17 and a 3-2 win in the regular-season home finale at Providence Park on Sept. 11. In 11 meetings all-time, Portland has a 6-2-3 record against Western New York. In five meetings at Providence Park, Thorns FC have a 3-1-1 record against the Flash.
In the inaugural NWSL Championship on Aug. 31, 2013 at Sahlen’s Stadium, Thorns FC defeated Western New York 2-0 behind goals from Tobin Heath and Christine Sinclair to help the club win its first championship.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday’s match marks the 12th meeting all-time between the two clubs, with Portland leading the all-time series 6-2-3. Today’s match marks the third meeting between the two teams this season, with Portland earning a 2-0 win over the Flash at Sahlen’s Stadium on June 17 and a 3-2 win over the Western New York Flash at Providence Park on Sept. 11. The two teams have combined to score 29 goals in their matches against one another, which equates to 2.6 goals per game.
SCOUTING THE FLASH
The Flash (9-6-5, 32pts) enter the Thorns FC 2016 Playoffs presented by Tillamook Ice Cream following a 4-0 win on the road against the Boston Breakers on Sept. 24 at Jordan Field. Western New York makes its second appearance in the playoffs after last appearing in 2013, when it fell 2-0 to the Thorns in the NWSL Championship game at Sahlen’s Stadium on Aug. 31, 2013. For- ward Lynn Williams captured the 2016 NWSL Golden Boot after finishing the season with 11 goals – tied for the league lead with Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai, but edged Ohai out thanks to her five assists compared to the Dash player’s four. Forward Jessica McDonald finished third in the league in goals scored (10) and second in the league in assists (7) behind Portland’s Tobin Heath. The Flash lead the league in goals scored (40) and have a 3-3-4 record on the road this season.
REGULAR SEASON REVIEW
Portland Thorns FC returns to the NWSL Playoffs for the third time in four seasons, claiming the NWSL Shield on the final day of the 2016 regular season after defeating Sky Blue FC 3-1 on Sept. 25 at Yurcak Field. Portland’s home form was key in helping the team claim a playoff berth. Thorns FC finished the regular season with the best home record (8-1-1) in the league and finished the season on a four-game winning streak to leapfrog the Washington Spirit in the league table to capture the club’s first-ever Shield.
Thorns FC started the 2016 campaign on a 12-game unbeaten run, the longest unbeaten run in the NWSL this season and the second-longest run in league history behind the 16 straight games by Seattle Reign FC in 2016. With her 10 assists in 2016, midfielder Tobin Heath set a new NWSL record for the most assists in a single season.
Portland saw a number of offseason additions contribute significantly to the team’s impressive campaign. Forward Nadia Nadim set a career-high for goals scored (9) and finished fourth in the Golden Boot race. Midfielders Lindsey Horan and Dagny Brynjarsdottir each chipped in with five goals a piece. Defenders Meghan Klingenberg and Emily Sonnett were part of a backline that allowed the fewest number of goals in the league – with the 19 conceded in 20 games translating to a 0.95 goals against average. Midfielder Amandine Henry joined midway through the season and was a rock in the midfield as the team posted a record of 8-1-0 in her nine appearances this season.
