NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

Published on May 23, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


Thorns FC take on Seattle Reign FC in Pacific Northwest derby Saturday

PORTLAND, Ore. - Following a stretch of three games in eight days from May 12-19, Portland Thorns FC take to the road for a match against Pacific Northwest neighbor Seattle Reign FC on Saturday at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.; kickoff is at 7 p.m. (Pacific). Fans can follow the action through a live web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com or on Twitter @ThornsFC.

Portland (5-1-1, 16pts) takes its National Women's Soccer League-leading offense to Seattle on Saturday. Thorns FC rank tied for first in the league in goals (11), assists (7) and road scoring (7 goals) while the team is second in shots (82) and shots on goal (46).

After seeing a five-game unbeaten streak snapped in a 1-0 loss against Sky Blue FC on May 16, Thorns FC got back on the winning track with a 2-0 shutout against the Washington Spirit on May 19. Forward Christine Sinclair tallied her third goal of the season, netting the go-ahead goal for Portland in the 41st minute on a bending shot inside the left post. Forward Alex Morgan scored her team-leading fourth goal of the year in the 86th minute on an assist from midfielder Courtney Wetzel. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made three saves to earn her third clean sheet of the season.

Morgan's insurance goal against the Spirit put the U.S. Women's National Team standout into a tie for the league lead in goal scoring. Topping the NWSL in shots (31) and shots on goal (20), Morgan has scored a goal in four of Portland's last six matches and leads the team with nine points (4g, 1a).

Seattle (0-6-1, 1pt) has faced a rough start to the inaugural NWSL season, losing six straight games after a season-opening 1-1 road draw at the Chicago Red Stars on April 14. Head coach Laura Harvey's squad is missing the U.S. Women's National Team trio of goalkeeper Hope Solo (wrist injury), forward Amy Rodriguez (pregnancy) and midfielder Megan Rapinoe (finishing contract with Lyon in France). Several players, including defenders Elli Reed and Kate Deines and midfielder Keelin Winters have missed time due to injuries.

Midfielder/forward Christine Nairn leads Reign FC in scoring with three points (1g, 1a) as the club has struggled to find consistency in offense, netting just four goals while conceding a league-high 15 in seven games.

Thorns FC return home for three straight home games, beginning on Saturday, June 1, against the Chicago Red Stars at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific). Fans can follow the action live on Freedom 970 AM and online through a high-definition web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com. Thorns FC square off against FC Kansas City on Thursday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m., and Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, June 16, at 2 p.m.

Tickets for upcoming Thorns FC home games, starting at $12, are available at the JELD-WEN Field box office (open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), online or by calling the Thorns FC ticket sales office at (503) 553-5555.

TEAM NEWS

Four Thorns FC players called up for national team duty

Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan and Rachel Buehler (United States) and forward Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (Canada) have been called up by their respective national teams for a match between the U.S. Women's National Team and the Canadian Women's National Team on Sunday, June 2, at BMO Field in Toronto.

All four players are scheduled to depart for Toronto following Saturday's game at Seattle Reign FC and will return to Portland on June 3. The players will miss the Thorns FC home game against the Chicago Red Stars on June 1 at JELD-WEN Field.

The match, which will be broadcast on June 2 at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPNews, marks the first friendly for either national team during the inaugural season of the NWSL. It is the first time the United States and Canada will meet since a dramatic London 2012 Olympic semifinal match on Aug. 6 that saw the U.S. Women's National Team emerge with a 4-3 win following a game-winning goal by Morgan in the 123rd minute. The game is also part of U.S. Soccer's Centennial Celebration weekend, which includes the U.S. Men's National Team facing Germany at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on June 2.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Tobin Heath, who will join Thorns FC following the conclusion of her contract in France, was also called up by U.S. Women's National Team head coach Tom Sermanni.

Thorns FC defender Emilee O'Neil to participate at Mercy Corps movie screening on June 4

Thorns FC defender Emilee O'Neil, along with Portland Timbers players Bright Dike and Futty Danso, will share stories of how soccer changed their lives and the communities they grew up in during a special screening of the film "The Beautiful Game: Stories of Soccer and Community Change" at 6 p.m. on June 4 at Mercy Corps in Portland.

Located at 28 SW 1st Ave., in downtown Portland, the Mercy Corps event will include a raffle and guided tour through the "Art of Sport + Play", an exhibit on how sport and play changes lives all over the world created by author Kevin Carroll.

Watch Thorns FC matches at one of four pub partner locations

Thorns FC fans can watch Thorns FC matches at one of four pub partner locations during the 2013 National Women's Soccer League season. Mad Greek Deli (1740 E. Burnside), Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave.), On Deck (910 NW 4th Ave.) and McGillacuddy's (11133 NE Halsey St.) will each have a television dedicated to the live web stream of Thorns FC games this season.

Thorns FC launch Portland Thorns Kids Club

Thorns FC recently announced the launch of the 2013 Portland Thorns Kids Club. Membership costs $10 and includes one free Portland Thorns FC flex ticket, an invitation to an exclusive Thorns FC Kids Club event with Thorns FC players and one, 10-percent-off coupon good at the adidas Timbers Team Store for Thorns FC merchandise. To become a part of the Portland Thorns Kids Club, call (503) 553-5437 or email ThornsKC@PortlandThornsFC.com .

NWSL and FOX Sports Media Group announce television partnership

The NWSL and FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) recently announced a one-year agreement to televise nine games during the NWSL's inaugural season. As part of the agreement, FSMG will air six regular-season matches and all three playoff matches, which include the two semifinal games on August 24 and 25, and the championship game on August 31.

Beginning July 8, FOX Soccer will televise one game per week over the final six weeks of the season, leading up to the NWSL Playoffs. The schedule will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Thorns FC single-game tickets on sale

Thorns FC single-game tickets for the 2013 National Women's Soccer League season are on sale. In addition to being available at the JELD-WEN Field box office, fans also will be able to purchase tickets, starting at $12, for all 11 of the team's regular-season NWSL home matches online at www.portlandthornsfc.com . The JELD-WEN Field box office is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com . Additional group information can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com/thornsfc/thorns-group-outings .

Thorns FC season tickets still available

Thorns FC season tickets are still available, starting at $9 per game. Thorns FC season tickets are available in a pro-rated, eight-game package. Portland plays all of its home games at JELD-WEN Field. Visit the Thorns FC season tickets page online for more information and pricing regarding season tickets.

THORNS FC MEDIA SOURCES

Radio: The club's weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 AM The Game. "Talk Timbers" provides team news and interviews covering the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer as well as regular updates, features and player interviews covering Portland Thorns FC.

On Tuesday, Thorns FC midfielder and Pacific Northwest native Courtney Wetzel joined the program to discuss the NWSL season, joining Thorns FC through an open tryout and her Pacific Northwest roots.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on Talk Timbers on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 23, 2013


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