MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: 65 degrees, Partly cloudy
Referee: Timothy Ford
Assistant Referees: Deleana Quan, John Krill Fourth Official: Farhad Dadkho
Broadcast: Lifetime
Broadcast talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Aly Wagner (analyst), Dalen Cuff (sideline reporter), Julie Foudy (sideline reporter)
MATCH PREVIEW
Thorns FC shift gears to the 2017 NWSL playoffs, playing host to the Orlando Pride in a semifinal match on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Providence Park. The game marks Portland’s fourth trip to the playoffs in the five seasons as well as team’s second consecutive home playoff match.
Portland concluded the 2017 regular-season with a 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars on Sept. 30 at Providence Park. Thorns FC tallied a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes from Hayley Raso and Ashleigh Sykes and added a late goal from a penalty kick by Nadia Nadim. Portland wrapped up the regular season by finishing second in the NWSL standings, setting club records for wins (14), points (47), home wins (10) and shutouts (11).
SURGING DOWN THE STRETCH
Portland has gained momentum late in the season that has helped carry them into the 2017 NWSL playoffs. In their last 12 games, Thorns FC posted a record of 10-1-2, recording five clean sheets. Portland enters Saturday’s match riding a unbeaten streak of six games (5-0-1). During that 12-game stretch, 10 different players have scored goals, while Hayley Raso has five goals and Christine Sinclair has scored four goals.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
This marks Portland’s fourth trip to the NWSL playoffs in five seasons. Thorns FC are the only team to make the NWSL playoffs in four of five seasons. Additionally, Portland is set to a host a playoff semifinal for a second consecutive season. Of the 13 players who appeared in last year’s semifinal match, 12 of those are on Portland’s 2017 roster.
Thorns FC are 2-2-0 all-time in the playoffs. Portland earned a pair of road wins in route to winning the 2013 NWSL Championship. Thorns FC earned a 3-2 win against FC Kansas City in 2013 as Allie Long tallied the game-winner in the 103rd minute on Aug. 24, 2013. Portland went on to register a 2-0 victory in the NWSL Championship over the Western New York Flash with goals from Tobin Heath and Christine Sinclair.
Tobin Heath and Sinclair each have two goals in four career playoff games, while Long, Lindsey Horan and Emily Sonnett have each scored one goal.
SCOUTING ORLANDO
In just its second NWSL season, Orlando earned its first playoff berth after finishing ninth in the league standings in its inaugural season in 2016. The Pride enter Saturday’s match riding a nine-game unbeaten streak after knocking off the North Carolina Courage on Sept. 30 in stoppage time as midfielder Alanna Kennedy scored off a free kick to give Orlando a 3-2 win on the road. Led by 13 goals from forward Marta and nine from forward Alex Morgan, the Pride concluded the regular season with the highest scoring offense (45 goals) in the league.
