PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC AT HOUSTON DASH SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015, 5:30 P.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 Coordinator, Media Relations: Diego Basabe - (503) 553-5543, dbasabe@timbers.com
THORNS FC
2015 SCHEDULE
DASH
2015 NWSL RECORD: 2-3-2 (Home: 2-1-1; Away: 0-2-1)
VS.
2-3-2 (8pts)
2-2-3 (9pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Saturday, June 6, 2015 Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) Location: BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, Texas) Forecast: Sunny, 93 degrees Referee: Danielle Chesky Assistant Referees: Veronica Perez, Francisco Bermudez Fourth Official: Christa Dorsey Webstream available via www.portlandthornsfc.com
NWSL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE Saturday, June 6
TIME (PT)
Boston Breakers at Washington Spirit Chicago Red Stars at Western NY Flash Portland Thorns FC at Houston Dash Sky Blue FC at Seattle Reign FC
4 p.m. 4 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
MIDFIELD PARTNERSHIP Midfielder Allie Long and Mana Shim have proved to be a lethal combo for Thorns FC this season. Of the team’s 10 goals scored this season, seven have come from the dynamic pair, while five of the team’s eight assists have also come from either Long or Shim. Notably, Shim has assisted on three of Long’s four goals. Thorns FC have a record of 11-0-4 in regular-season NWSL matches since 2013 when either Long or Shim scores.
STOUT DEFENSE Portland’s defense ranks near the top of the league in goals allowed (9), tied for second-fewest goals conceded in the NWSL this season. Thorns FC have allowed the third fewest shots (70) and shots on goal (36) in the league this season. Portland has surrendered nine shots or less in four of its seven matches this season, while limiting four of their seven opponents to five or less shots on goal, including three opponents to just two shots on goal.
STREAKS Midfielder McCall Zerboni has started 22 consecutive NWSL regular-season matches, dating back to her 2014 campaign with Western New York. She recorded a stretch of 1,957 minutes consecutive regular season minutes played. Defender Emily Menges has played 1,169 straight minutes without committing a foul during regular season play.
DATE Sat., April 11 Sat., April 18 Sat., April 25 Sat., May 9 Sat., May 16 Sat., May 23 Sat, May 30 Sat., June 6 Fri., June 19 Fri., July 3 Sat., July 11 Wed., July 22 Sun., July 26 Wed., July 29 Wed., Aug. 5 Sun., Aug. 9 Wed., Aug. 12 Sat., Aug. 22 Sun., Aug. 30 Fri., Sept. 4
OPPONENT TIME/RESULT BROADCAST/ATT. BOSTON BREAKERS W 4-1 13,386 WESTERN NY FLASH W 1-0 13,148 @Chicago Red Stars D 2-2 2,136 WASHINGTON SPIRIT D 2-2 14,236 @Boston Breakers L 0-1 2,669 HOUSTON DASH L 0-1 14,409 @Washington Spirit L 1-2 3,519 @Houston Dash 5:30 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com FC KANSAS CITY 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com SKY BLUE FC 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @Sky Blue FC 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com SEATTLE REIGN FC 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @Seattle Reign FC 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @Western NY Flash 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com BOSTON BREAKERS 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com CHICAGO RED STARS 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @FC Kansas City 5 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @Sky Blue FC 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com WASHINGTON SPIRIT 6 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com @Western NY Flash 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com
*dates and times subject to change
MATCH DAY PREVIEW Portland Thorns FC close out their two-game road swing against the Houston Dash on Saturday, June 6, at BBVA Compass Stadium; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match is Portland’s final match before a mandatory league-wide break during the group stage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is Portland’s second match against Houston in its last three and the team’s four road match in its last six. In the previous meeting between the two clubs, Thorns FC dominated the stat sheet with an 18-4 advantage in shots, while limiting the Dash to just two shots on goal, including zero in the second half. But Houston grabbed an early goal through forward Jessica McDonald to secure a 1-0 win and claim its first win in the all-time series.
SERIES HISTORY Portland has a record of 3-1-0 all-time against the Dash, including a pair of wins on the road in 2014. Defensively, Portland has limited Houston to singledigit shot attempts in each of the last three meetings. In the last meeting on May 23 at Providence Park, Thorns FC held Houston to a season-low four shots in the match, allowing just one shot in the second half. Portland recorded an 18-4 advantage in shots in the match, but Houston got the eventual game winner from forward Jessica McDonald early in the match and held on for a 1-0 win. It marked the fourth straight match between the two teams that has ended with a 1-0 result. Midfielder Allie Long scored the first-ever goal in the all-time series in a 1-0 victory on April 14, 2014 at BBVA Compass Stadium.