BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast: go90.com and NWSLSoccer.com
Broadcast talent: Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Morgan Church (analyst)
MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, May 27, 2017
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 86 degrees
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliot, Alicia Messer Fourth Official: Jason Perlewitz
MATCH PREVIEW
Portland enters Saturday’s match with Boston, riding a seven-game home unbeaten streak in regular-season play (6-0-1). The match is the second in a nine-day span between Thorns FC and the Breakers this season, and the only meeting between the two sides during the regular season at Providence Park.
Nadia Nadim has been in form against Boston, tallying five goals in her last two matches against the Breakers, including a hat-trick in the last meeting between the two sides at Providence Park - a 5-1 win on Sept. 4, 2016.
In three home matches in 2017, Thorns FC have conceded just two goals, while posting two shutouts.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Battling back from a two-goal deficit in the second half, Thorns FC earned a 2-2 draw on the road, receiving a brace from forward Nadia Nadim. Boston opened the score in the 38th minute and added a second goal in the 48th minute, but Portland pulled a goal back when Nadim converted from the spot in the 57th minute. Pushing for the equalizer, Nadim collected a second-half brace, finishing from close range after receiving a pass from Hayley Raso in the 83rd minute.
SERIES HISTORY
Thorns FC and the Breakers square off for a second straight week as the two teams meet at Providence Park for the only time this season. Saturday’s match will be the sixth in the all-time series between the two sides at Providence Park. Thorns FC are 4-1-0 in the five previous meetings against Boston at home, outscoring the Breakers 20-9 in those games. Additionally, Portland has scored four or more goals in the last four meetings at home against Boston.
SCOUTING BOSTON
Boston (2-2-2, 8pts) has posted a record of 0-1-1 in road matches this season, falling to FC Kansas City 2-0 on the road to open the 2017 season and earning a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars on May 14. Boston has one just one of their last 24 road games, averaging 0.7 goals per game, while conceding 2.6 goals per game. The Breakers are led by forward Natasha Dowie (3g, 1a), who tallied a goal and an assist in the last meeting between the two sides, and now has a team-leading three goals this season. Forward Adrianna Leon (1g, 3a) has recorded a team-leading three assists. The pair are tied for fourth in goals + assists this season with four each.