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 Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

April 19, 2018 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Coming off a 2-1 win in the club's 2018 home opener, Portland Thorns FC remain at home, squaring off against the Washington Spirit on Friday, April 20, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). The April 20 match will feature a live web stream available on the go90 app and at www.go90.com.

Recent form

Portland enters this week having won back-to-back matches after picking up a 2-1 win over Orlando in the home opener on April 15. Forward Christine Sinclair has three goals and an assist over the last two matches, while midfielder Lindsey Horan has tallied two goals and an assist. Defensively, Portland surrendered just one shot on goal in the match against Orlando, which came in the 20th minute, and did not allow another shot on frame in the final 70 minutes. Additionally, newly acquired forward Ana Crnogorcevic made her NWSL and Thorns FC debut in the home opener, logging 30 minutes in a substitute role.

Against Washington

Friday's match marks the 14th meeting all-time between Portland and Washington. Thorns FC have posted a mark of 7-2-4 all-time against the Spirit, including a record of 5-0-2 at Providence Park. Portland has won each of the last three meetings at Providence Park against Washington, outscoring the Spirit 10-2 in those matches. Thorns FC recorded a 4-0 win in the last meeting at Providence Park on Sept. 2, receiving a brace from Sinclair and a goal from defender Emily Sonnett.

Scoring at home

Thorns FC have scored 19 goals in their last eight regular-season home matches, posting a mark of 8-0-0. During that span, Portland has scored two or more goals in seven matches and three or more goals three times. Sinclair has tallied five goals in those matches, including a pair of braces, while Horan, Sonnett, and forwards Tyler Lussi and Mallory Weber have all scored.

Scouting the Spirit

Washington enters this week's match after a 4-2 loss at home to the North Carolina Courage on April 14. Mallory Pugh tallied the opening goal in the third minute, but the Courage scored three unanswered goals to pick up the win. Pugh leads the way for the Spirit with two goals in her first three matches, while Ashley Hatch has one goal and one assist. In goal, Aubrey Bledsoe has recorded a league-leading 20 saves.

Next match

Up next, Thorns FC travel for a road match against new NWSL side Utah Royals FC on Saturday, April 28, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The April 28 match kicks off at 6 p.m. (Pacific) and features a live web stream available on the go90 app and at www.go90.com.

TEAM NEWS

Lindsey Horan wins NWSL Goal of the Week for Week 3

Midfielder Lindsey Horan picked up NWSL Goal of the Week honors for Week 3, earning this recognition for a second straight week, for her 29th minute long-distance strike in Portland's 2-1 win over the Pride on April 15.

International notebook: Australia punches ticket to 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

Australia wrapped up group play in the 2018 AFC Asian Cup, earning a 1-1 draw with Japan on April 13 to secure a spot in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. Ellie Carpenter started and played all 90 minutes in the match, while Hayley Raso made a substitute appearance.

In the semifinal round of the tournament, Australia tallied a late goal in second-half stoppage time to extend its match with Thailand and advanced to the championship game of the tournament, winning a penalty-kick shootout 3-1 on April 17. Carpenter earned the start again, playing all 120 minutes in the match. Australia will battle Japan in the final of the AFC Asian Cup on April 20.

Andressinha and Brazil moved one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup with a 7-0 win over Bolivia on April 13. Andressinha started the match and registered a brace to help Brazil finish top of its group at the Copa América Femenina and advance to the final four-team, round-robin phase, with the top two teams from the round earning a berth in the World Cup. Brazil opened that round of play with a 3-1 win over Chile on April 16 and earned a 3-0 win on April 19 against Argentina as Andressinha featured as a substitute in both matches. Up next, Brazil takes on Colombia (April 22).

Single-game tickets and annual memberships on sale for 2018 season

Single-game tickets for 2018 home matches at Providence Park are available now.

Fans can purchase tickets for the team's regular-season home matches by calling (888) 736-6849 or online here. Additionally, fans can purchase tickets at the Providence Park box office, which is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday).

Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com. Additional group information can be found here.

Fans interested in purchasing Thorns FC Annual Memberships for the 2018 season are encouraged to call the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or email ticketsales@timbers.com.

Fill up at your local 76 gas station and earn free Thorns FC tickets

Fill up with eight gallons or more at participating 76 gas stations and receive a voucher good for two general admission tickets to a Thorns FC match, which you can redeem at the Providence Park box office or at www.thornsfc.com/76.

Visit www.thornsfc.com/76 for all the details.

KOi Fusion to be featured food cart Friday at Providence Park

For a sixth consecutive season, fans will be able to enjoy food from some of the most popular food carts around Portland, including Friday's featured food cart, KOi Fusion, as part of the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA).

The PTFCA is designed to highlight Portland's food-cart culture, with featured food carts Bokie Dokie, Kim Jong Grillin and 808 Grinds regularly appearing at Providence Park for both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home matches in 2017. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/matchday/ptfca


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