PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC AT WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2013, 4:35 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
WESTERN NY
2013 NWSL RECORD: 10-6-4 (Home: 5-4-2; Away: 5-2-2)
VS.
10-6-4 (34pts)
9-4-7 (34pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 10, 2013 Kickoff: 4:35 p.m. (Pacific) Location: Sahlen’s Stadium (Rochester, N.Y.) Forecast: 77 degrees, partly cloudy Referee: Margaret Domka Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Lauren Dearman Fourth Official: Christopher Trottier Webstream available via www.portlandthornsfc.com.
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 W 3-1 FC KANSAS CITY L 2-3 at Boston Breakers L 1-2 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 13,769 17,619 3,012
*dates and times subject to change
MATCH DAY PREVIEW NWSL WEEK 18 SCHEDULE Wednesday, August 7
TIME (PT)
NATIONAL TV
Boston Breakers 2, Portland Thorns FC 1 Western New York 1, Seattle Reign FC 0 Washington Spirit 1, Chicago Red Stars 0 Saturday, August 10
TIME (PT)
FC Kansas City at Boston Breakers Seattle Reign FC at Washington Spirit Sky Blue FC at Chicago Red Stars Portland Thorns FC at Western New York
3 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4:35 p.m.
FOX Soccer
PLAYOFF SEEDING After clinching a berth in the postseason on Wednesday, Thorns FC are locked into a tight battle for seeding in the NWSL Playoffs. Tied on points with Western New York and Sky Blue FC, Thorns FC are currently seeded third after tiebreakers are applied (with Western New York second and Sky Blue FC fourth). Saturday’s match, along with Sky Blue FC’s game against Chicago, are critical in terms of clinching a home playoff game. The top two seeds host semifinal matches on Aug. 24, while the highest seeded team to reach the final will host the championship on Aug. 31.
INJURY UPDATE Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan sustained a mild MCL sprain in her left knee in the opening minutes of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at the Boston Breakers. The forward, who leads Thorns FC with 21 points (8g, 5a), is expected to miss between 2-4 weeks.
Saturday’s match marks the second, and final, regular-season game between Portland Thorns FC and the Western New York Flash. The match is vitally important for both clubs in terms of seeding for the playoffs, as the winner will have the inside track on the No. 2 seed and the right to host a semifinal match. Entering the game, Western New York is seeded second, holding the tiebreaker over Thorns FC on overall goal differential (the team’s drew 1-1 in their only match). Thorns FC square off against the Flash after suffering a second straight loss, 2-1 against the Boston Breakers on Wednesday at Dilboy Stadium. Forward Tiffany Weimer scored the opening goal for Portland, but Thorns FC conceded two goals in the final 22 minutes. Western New York is unbeaten in five straight games, dating back to a 1-1 draw against Portland on July 14. The Flash earned a 1-0 home win over Seattle Reign FC on Wednesday with Carli Lloyd scoring in the 54th minute.
LAST MATCH VS. WESTERN NEW YORK Midfielder Meleana Shim scored her second goal of the season and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made five saves, including an 84th-minute stop on a penalty kick, as Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-1 draw against the Western New York Flash before a spirited crowd of 13,021 at JELD-WEN Field on July 14. After making three saves in the opening 30 minutes of a back-and-forth match, LeBlanc got a hand on an off-balance shot from Western New York forward Abby Wambach in the 37th minute, but was unable to make the save as the Flash took a 1-0 lead. Just more than 90 seconds later, Thorns FC found the equalizer off Shim’s left foot in the 38th minute. Western New York earned a chance for the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute when forward Veronica Perez was fouled in the penalty box by Thorns FC midfielder Allie Long. Wambach, who increased her season total to 10 goals earlier in the game, stepped up moments later for the penalty kick. Diving to her left side, LeBlanc saved the shot off the right post and the rebound attempt went wide.