NWSL Game Guide | FC Kansas City vs. Portland Thorns FC - Aug. 23, 2014

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PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC AT FC KANSAS CITY SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014, 10 A.M. (PT) VP Communications: Chris Metz - (503) 553-5433, cmetz@timbers.com Manager, Media Relations: Mark Nelson - (503) 553-5529, mnelson@timbers.com Coordinator, Media Relations: Katie Simons - (503) 553-5539, ksimons@timbers.com

THORNS FC

2014 SCHEDULE

FC KANSAS CITY

2014 NWSL RECORD: 10-8-6 (Home: 7-4-1; Away: 3-4-5)

VS.

10-8-6 (36pts)

12-7-5 (41pts)

MATCH INFORMATION Date: Saturday, August 23, 2014 Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Pacific) Location: Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium (Kansas City, Mo.) Forecast: Sunny, 99 degrees Referee: Chris Spivey Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Kathryn Nesbitt Fourth Official: David Yon National Television: ESPN2 Broadcast Team: Jonathan Yardley and Julie Foudy

NWSL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE Saturday, Aug. 23 TIME (PT) Portland Thorns FC at FC Kansas City 10 a.m.

NATIONAL TV ESPN2

Sunday, Aug. 24 TIME (PT) Washington Spirit at Seattle Reign FC 8 p.m.

NATIONAL TV ESPN2

REGULAR SEASON REVIEW Portland Thorns FC returns to the NWSL Playoffs for a second consecutive season, claiming the third seed on the final day of the 2014 regular season with a 1-0 win against Seattle Reign FC on Aug. 17 at Providence Park. Forward Alex Morgan scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute, vaulting Portland into the postseason. Portland’s home form during the season was key in helping the team claim a playoff berth. Thorns FC finished the regular season on a five-match, home unbeaten streak (4-0-1), winning its last four matches at Providence Park, and produced a record of 7-4-1 at home. Portland opened the season without the services of Morgan and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke, while defender Steph Catley and midfielders Tobin Heath and Vero Boquete arrived midway through the season. Portland’s depth was highlighted throughout the regular season as 11 different players tallied at least one point. Boquete provided a spark upon arrival, recording 14 points in 15 matches (all starts) with four goals and six assists. Morgan returned in early June and added six goals and four assists in 14 games (16 points). Forward Jessica McDonald had a breakout season with 11 goals. McDonald is one of two players to appear in all 24 regular-season matches, along with defender Nikki Marshall. Midfielder Allie Long upped her goal total from a year ago (3), finishing the regular season with nine goals.

DATE Sat., April 12 Sat., April 19 Sat., April 26 Sat., May 3 Sat., May 10 Wed., May 14 Wed., May 21 Sat., May 24 Wed., May 28 Sat., June 7 Sun., June 15 Sat., June 21 Wed., June 25 Sat., June 28 Fri., July 4 Wed., July 9 Sun., July 13 Thurs., July 17 Sun., July 20 Wed., July 23 Sun., July 27 Sun., Aug. 3 Sun., Aug. 10 Sun., Aug. 17 Sat., Aug. 23

OPPONENT @Houston Dash @Sky Blue FC FC KANSAS CITY @Western NY SEATTLE REIGN FC @Houston Dash WESTERN NY SKY BLUE FC @Boston Breakers WESTERN NY WASHINGTON @Washington SKY BLUE FC @FC Kansas City CHICAGO @Chicago FC KANSAS CITY @Chicago BOSTON @Washington @Seattle Reign FC HOUSTON DASH @Boston SEATTLE REIGN FC @FC Kansas City^

TIME/RESULT W 1-0 T 1-1 W 3-1 T 1-1 L 0-1 W 1-0 W 2-1 L 0-1 L 1-4 L 0-5 W 2-0 W 6-1 L 1-2 L 0-1 T 2-2 T 1-1 W 7-1 T 1-1 W 6-3 T 1-1 L 0-5 W 1-0 L 0-2 W 1-0 10 a.m.

BROADCAST/ATT. 8,097 2,983 14,124 3,274 14,182 3,931 10,920 13,427 1,556 13,838 10,056 3,806 10,866 2,421 13,084 2,101 9,672 2,014 14,383 3,854 5,957 19,123 4,191 17,109 ESPN2

^ - NWSL Playoffs *dates and times subject to change

MATCH PREVIEW Saturday’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Playoffs semifinal match marks the fourth meeting of the 2014 season, and eighth meeting all-time, in all competitions, between Thorns FC and FC Kansas City. The clubs met three times during the regular season, twice at Providence Park and once at Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium. In the only meeting in Kansas City, Mo., FC Kansas City earned a 1-0 victory on June 28. Overall, Portland registered a record of 2-1-0 against FC Kansas City in the regular season. The two teams combined for 13 goals in three matches, while Thorns FC outscored the Blues in those meetings, 10-2, including a recordbreaking 7-1 victory on July 13 at Providence Park. Portland’s six-goal victory currently stands as the largest margin of victory in match in NWSL history and the team’s seven goals are the most in a single match in the league’s history. Thorns FC have compiled a mark of 11-6-8 (.600) on the road in all competitions since 2013, including a 2-0-0 record on the road in the postseason.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Playing their home matches at downtown Portland’s iconic Providence Park, Thorns FC drew an average crowd of 13,320 fans per game during the inaugural 2013 National Women’s Soccer League season. In 2014, Thorns FC averaged 13,362 fans at Providence Park. Portland’s tallied an NWSL record 19,123 fans against the Houston Dash on ESPN2 on Aug. 3, 2014.


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