PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES SKY BLUE FC AT PORTLAND THORNS FC WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013, 7:30 P.M. (PT) VP Communications: Chris Metz - (503) 553-5433, cmetz@portlandtimbers.com Manager, Media Relations: Marc Kostic - (503) 553-5415, mkostic@portlandtimbers.com Coordinator, Media Relations: Mark Nelson - (503) 553-5529, mnelson@portlandtimbers.com
THORNS FC
2013 SCHEDULE
SKY BLUE FC
2013 NWSL RECORD: 9-4-4 (Home: 4-3-2; Away: 5-1-2)
VS.
9-4-4 (31pts)
9-5-4 (31pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) Location: JELD-WEN Field (Portland, Ore.) Forecast: Referee: Margaret Domka Assistant Referees: Deleana Quon, Farhad Dadkho Fourth Official: Andrew Brooks Local Radio: Freedom 970AM Talent: Ann Schatz (play-by-play), Angela Harrison (analyst)
DATE Sat., April 13 Sun., April 21 Sat., April 27 Sat., May 4 Sun., May 12 Thurs., May 16 Sun., May 19 Sat., May 25 Sat., June 1 Thurs., June 6 Sun., June 16 Sat., June 22 Sun., June 30 Sat., July 6 Sun., July 14 Sun., July 21 Sun., July 28 Wed., July 31 Sun., Aug. 4 Wed., Aug 7 Sat., Aug. 10 Sat., Aug. 17
OPPONENT TIME/RESULT at FC Kansas City T 1-1 SEATTLE REIGN FC W 2-1 at Chicago Red Stars W 2-0 at Washington W 2-1 at Chicago Red Stars W 2-0 SKY BLUE FC L 0-1 WASHINGTON W 2-0 at Seattle Reign FC W 1-0 CHICAGO RED STARS L 0-2 FC KANSAS CITY W 4-3 SEATTLE REIGN FC W 2-0 at Sky Blue FC T 0-0 at FC Kansas City L 0-2 BOSTON BREAKERS L 0-2 WESTERN NEW YORK T 1-1 at Boston Breakers W 2-1 CHICAGO RED STARS T 3-3 SKY BLUE FC 7:30 p.m. FC KANSAS CITY 5:30 p.m. at Boston Breakers 4 p.m. at Western New York 4:35 p.m. at Seattle Reign FC 8 p.m.
ATTENDANCE 6,784 16,479 2,855 5,011 1,329 11,055 12,474 3,324 12,446 10,886 13,802 3,002 4,774 12,436 13,021 2,978 12,534 FOX Soccer
*dates and times subject to change A high-definition webstream will be available at www.portlandthornsfc.com
NWSL WEEK 17 SCHEDULE Wednesday, July 31
TIME (PT)
Washington Spirit at Western New York Sky Blue FC at Portland Thorns FC
4:05 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 3
TIME (PT)
Western New York at Boston Breakers Washington Spirit at Sky Blue FC Seattle Reign FC at Chicago Red Stars
3 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 4
TIME (PT)
FC Kansas City at Portland Thorns FC
5:30 p.m.
NATIONAL TV
FOX Soccer
HOLDING A LEAD Thorns FC have yet to concede defeat when scoring first in a match this season. Portland is 8-0-1 when scoring first and 8-0-1 when scoring two or more goals. Thorns FC conceded their first draw after taking the lead when the Chicago Red Stars overcame a 3-1 deficit for a 3-3 draw against Portland at JELD-WEN Field on July 28.
SCORING STREAK Rookie midfielder Meleana Shim became the first Thorns FC player to record a goal in three consecutive matches this season with her a goal against Chicago on July 28. Shim, who has scored four goals this year, tallied the game-tying goal against the Western New York Flash on July 14 and the game-winning goal on July 21 against Boston. Forwards Alex Morgan (May 4-12), Christine Sinclair (May 19-25) and Danielle Foxhoven (June 6-16) have scored goals in back-to-back matches this year.
MATCH DAY PREVIEW Wednesday’s match, presented by Alaska Airlines, marks the third regular-season meeting between Portland Thorns FC and Sky Blue FC this year. Thorns FC have recorded an 0-1-1 mark against Sky Blue FC this season, most recently coming away with a scoreless draw on June 22 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. Unbeaten in three straight games, Thorns FC is in the midst of a stretch of three home games in eight days, culminating with the regular-season home finale on Sunday against FC Kansas City. Sky Blue FC enters Wednesday’s match winless in three straight games following a 1-0 loss to top-ranked FC Kansas City on Sunday at Yurcak Field. Wednesday marks Sky Blue FC’s second trip to the Rose City this season, earning a 1-0 win on May 16 at JELD-WEN Field. Substitute midfielder Taylor Lytle tallied the game-winning goal in the 80th minute in the match. Only one of Sky Blue FC’s last four games is against a team (Portland) in the playoff picture.
LAST MATCH VS. SKY BLUE FC Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made a season-high seven saves, including two in second-half stoppage time as Portland Thorns FC played to a scoreless draw against Sky Blue FC before 3,002 fans at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J., on June 22. The result extended the club’s road record to 4-0-2. With the draw, Portland registered its second consecutive shutout, marking the second time this year that Thorns FC have earned back-to-back clean sheets. Forward Tiffany Weimer registered a team-high four shots (3 on goal). Weimer saw a chipped effort to the far post glide just wide in the 19th minute. Forward Alex Morgan attempted three shots, hitting the side netting after rounding Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Brittany Cameron in the 17th minute. LeBlanc put in a productive 90 minutes of work on the defensive end, making four saves in the first half and coming up with consecutive saves in second-half stoppage time to keep the clean sheet. LeBlanc earned NWSL Player of the Week honors for her performance in goal against Sky Blue FC.