Portland host sixth-seed Gotham FC in 2023 NWSL Semifinal showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm PT. Streaming will be available via CBS Sports Network.
Portland Thorns FC fought through 22 matchdays to earn their direct spot in the 2023 NWSL Playoffs Semifinal this Sunday. It's a postseason battle at Providence Park as the second-seed Thorns welcome sixth-seed NJ/NY Gotham FC. With 21 days of rest following their final match of the regular season and the international break, Portland take the field at home one final time in 2023 with a ticket to San Diego for the 2023 NWSL Championship on the line.
On to the NWSL Playoffs!
Tickets on sale! Thorns battle Gotham FC in NWSL Semifinal on Nov. 5 at Providence Park
Plan ahead for TriMet closures on Sunday
With the Washington Park MAX Station closed all day on Sunday. MAX Blue and Red lines will be disrupted for the entire service day. Shuttle buses will provide service between Sunset Transit Center and Providence Park stations. Trains and shuttle buses will run on regular Sunday frequency – every 15 minutes. If riding MAX Blue or Red lines on Sunday, plan an extra 15 to 30 minutes for trips through the disrupted area. Alternatives include using bus lines 20-Burnside/Stark and 58-Canyon Rd to avoid the disruption. Plan and track rides are available at trimet.org.
Survive and advance to San Diego
Following the conclusion of the NWSL Quarterfinals last weekend, there are four teams left standing in the fight for the NWSL crown. The 2023 NWSL Playoffs arrive to the Rose City for one of the two semifinal battles on Sunday that will determine the two title contenders on Nov. 11.
At 4pm PT, Portland host Gotham FC in the first semifinal matchup, and later at 6:30pm PT first-seed San Diego host fourth-seed OL Reign to finish the night. The four clubs will battle for 90 minutes, and if it ends even at the final whistle, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played before, if necessary, a penalty-kick shootout to determine the winner.
Here are the Thorns' stats you need to know:
4 in last 5
Portland wrapped up the season as the most attacking club in the NWSL with a league-leading 42 goals scored. The Thorns have now registered their fourth 40+ goal campaign in the last five seasons.
Seventh & Nine
Finishing the regular season with a record of 10-7-5, the Thorns recorded a double-digit-win season for the seventh straight year and the ninth time in 10 NWSL regular seasons.
20 of 22
In 2023, Portland scored at least one goal in an astounding 20 of 22 regular season matches – good for 90%.
Sixth
Two of the main reasons the Thorns are at the top of the scoring chart are midfielder Sam Coffey and forward Sophia Smith. Coffey notched a league-leading eight assists, and Smith won the NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals to lead Portland to the second seed. It marked the sixth time in the NWSL that both the top-scorer and top-assister came from the same club.
"Round 3"
The Thorns registered their 12th victory all-time against Gotham FC back on Oct. 7th in a 1-0 result at Providence Park. Although their 12-4-5 record against their NJ/NY opponents is impressive, the series has been very even this year between the two clubs. They first met in Harrison, NJ on July 9, where Gotham emerged victorious, winning 2-1. After the season-series split in early October, Sunday provides a 'tiebreaker' of sorts, making for Thorns-Gotham "Round 3" a must-watch.
