MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Orlando City Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
Forecast: Scattered thunderstorms, 87 degrees
Referee: Christopher Spivey
Assistant Referees: Adrienne McDonald, Trent Vanhaitsma Fourth Official: Francesco Terranova
Broadcast: Lifetime
Broadcast talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Aly Wagner (analyst), Dalen Cuff (sideline reporter)
MATCH PREVIEW
With just two matches remaining on the regular-season schedule, Thorns FC travel to square off against the Orlando Pride in the second meeting between the two sides this season on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Portland has won three of its last four games on the road as part of a stretch of eight wins in its last nine games. Additionally, Thorns FC have won four straight games.
Saturday’s meeting features one of the best defensive teams in the league in Thorns FC, which have conceded the second-fewest goals (19) in the NWSL and the Pride, which have scored a league-leading 42 goals.
LAST MATCH RECAP
Thorns FC secured a home playoff game for a second straight season, earning a 1-0 win on the road against the Boston Breakers on Sept. 10. It marked Portland’s third road win in its last four matches away from Providence Park. Thorns FC recorded their 10th clean sheet of the campaign as goalkeeper Adrianna Franch tied the NWSL single-season record with her 10th shutout of the season. Forward Christine Sinclair tallied her team-leading eighth goal of the campaign, assisted by forward Hayley Raso, in the 72nd minute to help Thorns FC earn the win on the road.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday’s match marks the fourth meeting all-time between Portland and Orlando. Thorns FC have won all three of the previous meetings, including a 2-1 come-from-behind win on the road against the Pride in 2016. Thorns FC won each of the previous meetings at Providence Park, including the first meeting this season between the two sides a 2-0 win on April 15 with goals from forwards Nadia Nadim and Christine Sinclair. In three matches against Orlando, Lindsey Horan and Dagny Brynjarsdottir each have a pair of goals.
SCOUTING ORLANDO
Orlando is unbeaten in its last five matches, including a 1-1 draw at home against Seattle Reign FC on Sept. 7. The Pride have a posted a record of 6-2-3 at Orlando City Stadium this season and have not suffered a loss at home since July 1. Orlando leads the league in goals scored (42) and is led by Marta, who has tallied 12 goals, which is tied for the second-most goal in the NWSL this season, while Alex Morgan has nine goals in 11 matches.
