MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Toyota Park (Bridgeview, Ill.)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 77 degrees
Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant Referees: Cody Richardson, John Krill Fourth Official: Rebecca Pagan
Broadcast: nwslsoccer.com and go90.com
Broadcast talent: Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Yaneash Donaldson (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Portland Thorns FC open a two-game road swing that is part of a stretch of three games in eight days, including a stretch of five road matches in their next seven games on Saturday against Chicago.
Picking up another win at home on Aug. 5 against Houston, it marked the eighth time this season Thorns FC have scored two or more goals in a match – tied for the second most in league. Additionally, Portland is one of just two teams not to drop any points when leading in the second half this season.
Riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1), Portland has found success as a result of six different players scoring a goal in the team’s last four games.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Wrapping up a three-game home stand, Thorns FC earned a 2-1 win against the Houston Dash on Aug. 5 at Providence Park. Defender Emily Sonnett opened the scoring with her second career professional goal, first in the regular season, in the 12th minute but Carli Lloyd answered to level the match converting from the penalty spot in 33rd minute. Thorns FC wasted no time reclaiming the lead as forward Tyler Lussi tallied her first professional goal, the game-winner, in the 39th minute.
SERIES HISTORY
Thorns FC edged the Red Stars with a 1-0 win in the second week of the season as forward Nadia Nadim converted a penalty kick for the game’s lone goal at Providence Park on April 29. Portland leads the all-time series with a mark of 5-1-6, including a record of 2-0-4 in road matches. Notably, the last four contests between the two sides in Chicago have produced a draw. In addition, Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last nine matches (3-0-6) against the Red Stars. Historically, Portland has gotten on the score sheet early against Chicago, tallying 13 of its 19 goals in the first half, and 10 of those goals in the first 30 minutes.
SCOUTING CHICAGO
Chicago (8-3-5, 29pts) is unbeaten in its last five matches (2-0-3) and enters this week as one of just two teams in the NWSL that has not suffered a loss at home (6-0-2). One of the top defensive teams in the league, the Red Stars have conceded the third-fewest goals (15) and are tied for the fewest-goals conceded at home (6). Individually, Chicago is led by forward Christen Press, who ranks third in the NWSL with eight goals, while forward Sofia Huerta has added four goals and four assists.
