MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2017
Kickoff: 1 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 65 degrees
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Eduardo Jeff Fourth Official: Cephas Quartson
Broadcast: Lifetime
Broadcast talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Aly Wagner (analyst), Dalen Cuff (sideline reporter)
MATCH PREVIEW
Saturday’s match marks the first of three meetings between Portland and Chicago this season, and the first of two at Providence Park in 2017. Thorns FC posted a record of 1-0-1 against Chicago during the 2016 season, including a 2-0 win against the Red Stars at Providence Park on June 22.
Portland enters this week’s contest unbeaten in their last five home regular- season matches (5-0-0), outscoring opponents 14-3 in those matches. Additionally, forward Christine Sinclair has scored in four consecutive home matches for Thorns FC.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Playing its first road game of the season, Portland conceded a late goal in a 1-0 loss against the North Carolina Courage on April 22. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch came up with a penalty-kick save in the 75th minute, diving to her left to deny Sam Mewis, but Debinha delivered a close-range header in the 81st mintue to give the Courage the win. It was the first penalty kick Franch has stopped in her NWSL career, while she also became the fourth different goalkeeper in club history to save a penalty kick.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday’s meeting will be the 12th in the all-time series between Chicago and Portland. Thorns FC lead the series with a mark of 4-1-6 and are unbeaten in their last eight matches against the Red Stars. Portland has historically gotten off to a fast start against Chicago, registering 12 of its 18 goals in the all-time series in the first half, including nine goals in the first 30 minutes. Forward Christine Sinclair scored in both meetings last season, opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw on the road against Chicago on June 12 and added the game winner in a 2-0 win on June 22 at Providence Park.
SCOUTING CHICAGO
The Chicago Red Stars enter this week’s match after picking up their first win of the 2017 season, claiming a 1-0 win behind a goal from Julie Ertz against FC Kansas Ctiy on April 22 at Toyota Park. Saturday’s match will be the Red Stars second road contest of the season as they opened the campaign on the road in Houston, suffering a 2-0 loss to the Dash on April 15. Defensively, Chicago was one of the top teams in the league in 2016, conceding the second fewest goals (20). On the attack, Chicago is led by forward Christen Press, who finished the 2016 campaign ranked tied for fifth in the league in goals scored (8).
