BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast:go90.com and go90 app (United States), NWSLsoccer.com (International)
Broadcast talent: Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Matt Stubbington (analyst)
MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2017
Kickoff: 1 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Children’s Mercy Victory Field (Kansas City, Mo.)
Forecast: Sunny, 78 degrees
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Ben Pilgrim
Fourth Official: Emily Fletcher
MATCH PREVIEW
After playing three of its first four games at home, Thorns FC travels for back- to-back road matches, visiting FC Kansas City for one of two away matches during the 2017 season against the FC Kansas City on Saturday.
FC Kansas City was the only team Portland did not register a win against in 2016. In addition, Thorns FC is looking for its first win on the road against FC Kansas City.
Both team’s feature strong defensive units as each team is tied for the second-fewest goals conceded (3) in the league through the first four games.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Battling back from a one-goal deficit twice, Thorns FC earned a 2-2 draw against Seattle Reign FC on May 6 at Providence Park. Seattle opened the scoring less than a minute into the match, but a well-placed cross from Hayley Raso yielded an own goal as Jessica Fishlock redirected the ball into her own net in the 37th minute. Reign FC reclaimed the lead two minutes later, but Portland controlled the second half possession (61.8 %) and outshot Seattle 8-3 as Allie Long scored the game-tying goal in the 82nd minute.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday’s match marks the 12th all-time meeting during the regular season between Portland and FC Kansas City. Thorns FC finished with a record of 0-1-1 against FC Kansas City in 2016. Portland rallied to earn 1-1 draw behind a late goal from Lindsey Horan on April 23, while FC Kansas City registered a 2-1 win against Portland on July 9 at Providence Park. Portland is 3-5-3 in regular-season play all-time against FC Kansas City, but is 0-3-2 on the road against FC Kansas City. Thorns FC is looking for its first win against FC Kansas City since 2014.
SCOUTING FC KANSAS CITY
FC Kansas City received a late goal from second-half substitute Erika Tymrak to claim a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride in its last match on May 7 at Children’s Mercy Victory Field. One of the top defensive teams in the NWSL, FC Kansas City conceded the second-fewest goals (20) in the league last season and is tied for the second-fewest goals conceded (3) in 2017. Offensively, FC Kansas City has scored three goals coming from three players (Sydney Leroux, Amy Rodriguez, Tymrak). FC Kansas City is win-less in its last three games, tallying just one goal in the last 312 minutes and has not led in a match since the opening day of the season.
