Flash and Thorns Scoreless on Saturday; Playoff Hosts Still Undetermined
Published on August 10, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
Rochester, N.Y. - For the fifth-straight game the Western New York Flash held an opponent scoreless at Sahlen's Stadium, however the Flash were also unable to tally as they saw a 0-0 finish with the Portland Thorns FC on Saturday night. The game, in front of a season-high 7,606 fans, had the potential to be a preview of an NWSL playoff game, however none of the top four spots have been secured. With one game remaining for all teams in the playoffs, home advantage could go to anyone, and the final game of the season will be the deciding factor.
The Flash (9-4-8, 35 points) outshot Portland (10-6-5, 35 points) 14-7 overall, with Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd both posting a game-high four shots. Lloyd had perhaps the best chance at scoring in the 68th minute, setup by her USWNT counterpart. Wambach chased down a long ball, beating Marian Dougherty on the left side. The forward then cut back and went across the box to a wide-open Lloyd. Lloyd had enough space to take a large first touch but her blast toward Thorns' goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc hit the side netting.
Playing without forward Alex Morgan, Portland put forth the first attempt of the game in the second minute. After the Flash defense collapsed on Tobin Heath and she was able to find a gap, the midfielder passed' over to Danielle Foxhoven who shot wide when alone with Adrianna Franch.
Franch finished the game with three saves en route to her eighth shutout of the season.
A 10th-minute foul by Heath setup a Flash free kick right just beyond the halfway mark. Brittany Taylor's ball dropped into the six-yard box for an on-running Samantha Kerr but LeBlanc was able to win the footrace and end the chance.
Three minutes later, Katherine Reynolds sent a long clear to Kerr who, after having the ball tackled away, kept it in play and crossed across the goal line to Wambach. The Thorns defense recovered just in time to block the close range shot out for a corner.
Midway through the first leg, Lloyd gained possession in the midfield and carried the ball across the top of the box and fired a hard shot, forcing LeBlanc into a diving save to her left to punch the ball away. Then, less than a minute later, the Portland keeper picked up a ball that was played back from Williamson, giving the Flash an indirect kick inside the box. With both of the Flash's USWNT allocations standing over the ball, Wambach laid it off for Lloyd who went just above the bar.
After heading to the locker room scoreless, Portland came out with three shots in the second half, all of them on goal. However, Franch was able to get position on all of them to help the Flash earn a point.
It was a physical battle, with 22 total fouls, but the neither team was able to gain a leg-up in the NWSL standings. After Sky Blue drew on Saturday as well, the league remains in a three-way tie for second place and the August 24th semifinal hosts have not yet been determined.
With FC Kansas City's 1-0 loss to Boston on Saturday, first place also remains up for grabs.
Western New York remains undefeated at home in their past nine games with a 7-1-2 overall record from Sahlen's Stadium.
The Flash will return to action at 8 p.m. on August 17th when they host the Boston Breakers for the second Fox Soccer aired game of the Flash's season. It will be "Project Pink" at the stadium, with the Flash wearing limited-edition pink jerseys that will be raffled off and signed following the contest. There will also be numerous basket raffles with all proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 10, 2013
- Flash and Thorns Scoreless on Saturday; Playoff Hosts Still Undetermined - Western New York Flash
- Thorns FC Record Scoreless Draw against Western New York Flash - Portland Thorns FC
- Santacaterina the Spoiler as Red Stars Tie Sky Blue 3-3 - Chicago Stars FC
- Matheson Scores Late as Spirit Shut out Seattle, 1-0 - Washington Spirit
- Ocampo Delivers Pair in 3-3 Scrap - Sky Blue FC
- FC Kansas City Has Unbeaten Streak Snapped - FC Kansas City
- Reign FC Take on the Washington Spirit Today - Seattle Reign FC
- Game Notes: WNY vs Portland - Western New York Flash
- Flash Host Thorns on Saturday in Rematch of Exciting July Battle - Western New York Flash
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