PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC AT HOUSTON DASH WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014, 5 P.M. (PT) VP Communications: Chris Metz - (503) 553-5433, cmetz@timbers.com Manager, Media Relations: Mark Nelson - (503) 553-5529, mnelson@timbers.com
THORNS FC
2014 SCHEDULE
DASH
2014 NWSL RECORD: 2-1-2 (Home: 1-1-0; Away: 1-0-2)
VS.
2-1-2 (8pts)
1-4-0 (3pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific) Location: BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, Texas) Forecast: 71 degrees, chance of showers Referee: Josh Wilkens Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Tony Obas Fourth Official: Jody Pinkerton Local TV: Comcast SportsNet Northwest Webstream: www.portlandthornsfc.com
NWSL WEEK 6 SCHEDULE Wednesday, May 14 Portland Thorns FC at Houston Dash FC Kansas City at Seattle Reign FC
TIME (PT) 5 p.m. 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 Chicago Red Stars at Boston Breakers
TIME (PT) 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 17 Western New York at Washington Spirit
TIME (PT) 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 18 Houston Dash at FC Kansas City Chicago Red Stars at Boston Breakers
TIME (PT) 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
LAST TIME VERSUS HOUSTON Midfielder Allie Long scored the game’s decisive goal in the first half and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer registered a shutout as defending-National Women’s Soccer League champions Portland Thorns FC opened the 2014 regular season with a 1-0 win on the road against the Houston Dash before 8,097 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 12. Thorns FC did well to manage the early pressure and energy from the NWSL expansion Dash playing in their inaugural match at home. Portland secured the lead in the 24th minute as Long headed home her first goal of the season. The Thorns FC defense held Houston to just three shots on goal during the match, and Angerer recorded two saves in her team debut to help Portland head coach Paul Riley record the victory in his first match at the helm.
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
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
TIME/RESULT BROADCAST/ATT. W 1-0 8,097 D 1-1 2,983 W 3-1 14,124 T 1-1 3,274 L 0-1 14,182 5 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com/CSN 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 2 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 3:30 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 7 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com/CSN 5 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 11 a.m. portlandthornsfc.com 5 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 2 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 5 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 2 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 4 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 2 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com/CSN 3:30 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com 2 p.m. portlandthornsfc.com
*dates and times subject to change
MATCH PREVIEW Wednesday’s match marks the second of three regular-season meetings between Portland Thorns FC and the Houston Dash. Portland travels to face Houston for the second time in six games at BBVA Compass Stadium following the team’s first meeting in Houston’s inaugural NWSL match on April 12. Thorns FC, playing in their first midweek match of the season, enter Wednesday’s game following a hard-fought, 1-0 loss against league-leaders Seattle Reign FC at Providence Park. Despite outshooting Reign FC 18-14, including 9-5 on goal, Thorns FC conceded the game-winning goal in the 89th minute for their first loss of the season. Houston enters Wednesday’s match on a three-game losing streak. Head coach Randy Waldrum’s side has not scored a goal in 275 minutes, while starting goalkeeper Erin McLeod missed Houston’s 1-0 loss at Chicago on Sunday due to injury.
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. Through two home games in 2014, Thorns FC has averaged 14,153 fans at Providence Park. Portland’s tallied an NWSL record 17,619 fans at the team’s 2013 regular-season, home finale agianst FC Kansas City on Aug. 4, 2013.