BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast:go90.com and go90 app (United States), NWSLsoccer.com (International)
Broadcast talent: Jordan Angeli (play-by-play), Morgan Conklin (analyst)
MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Friday, May 19, 2017
Kickoff: 4 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Jordan Field (Allston, Mass.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 69 degrees
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Assistant Referees: Shane Kennard, Kali Langevin Fourth Official: Alexandria White
MATCH PREVIEW
Thorns FC wraps up a stretch of back-to-back away matches, visiting Boston for one of two matches on the road against the Breakers this season on Friday.
This match is part of a stretch of six road contests in the next 10 for Portland, including four of the next six away from Providence Park. Thorns FC finished the 2016 season with one of the best road records in the league (4-2-4).
Friday’s match will feature two of the top defensive teams in the league. Portland has allowed the fewest goals (3) in the NWSL, tied with FC Kansas City, while Boston has conceded the second-fewest goals (4).
LAST MATCH RECAP
Thorns FC earned their third clean sheet of the season, playing to a scoreless draw on the road against FC Kansas City on May 13. It marked the first time in club history Portland has registered three clean sheets in its first five matches. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch came up with a key stop, making a point-blank reaction save to deny Sydney Leroux a one-on-one opportunity in the 65th minute, preserving the clean sheet and helping the team earn a road point.
SERIES HISTORY
Thorns FC and the Breakers will be meet three times during the 2017 regular season, with Portland making two visits to Jordan Field. The first meeting this season marks the 12th all-time between the two sides. Thorns FC won both matches last season, outscoring the Breakers 6-1 in those two games. Portland has won four of the last five contests against Boston, tallying 15 goals during that stretch, including three games with four or more goals. Notably, Thorns FC have outscored Boston 16-6 in the second half of matches.
SCOUTING BOSTON
Boston enters Saturday’s match coming off a 1-1 draw on the road against the Chicago Red Stars on May 14. The Breakers return home where they have posted a record of 2-1 this season, recording a pair of shutout victories against Sky Blue FC (1-0) and Seattle Reign FC (3-0). Boston is led by the first-overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft Rose Lavelle. The U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder has tallied two goals in her first five professional games for Boston. Lavelle along with English international Natasha Dowie have combined to score four of the Breakers five goals this season. Goalkeeper Abby Smith ranks among the league leaders in saves (20), while recording three shutouts.
