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Flash Host Thailand in Tuneup Before Regular Season Finale

September 16, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release


BUFFALO, NY --- The Western New York Flash (8-5-5), during a FIFA-instituted break on the NWSL season, are looking to get back to their winning ways by hosting a friendly match against the Thailand National Team on Saturday. The match marks the first-ever meeting between WNY and Thailand and will be the Flash's only match during the FIFA break before the Flash return to NWSL action next weekend.

In their last game, the Flash rallied late but fell short of upsetting the 2nd place Portland Thorns FC, falling 3-2 on Sunday at Providence Park. Despite starting out strong, WNY could not stop the Thorns from taking a 2-0 lead into the half. Following another Portland goal, the Flash were able to find their groove again in the final 20 minutes when Jessica McDonald and Lynn Williams each scored. The goals were their ninth and tenth tallies of the season, respectively, and it keeps them in the hunt for the NWSL's Golden Boot Award. Unfortunately, the Flash were not able to find the net one final time, giving Portland the victory and a home-playoff match.

Thailand is coming off a match against the United States Women's National Team and the Flash's own Samantha Mewis this past Thursday. In a game that the USWNT dominated 9-0, Carli Lloyd finished with 3 goals and four assists, while Heather O'Reilly played in her final international match before retirement. Mewis made her fifth start and ninth appearance for the USWNT in 2016, with her last start coming on April 10. Thailand goalkeeper Yada Sengyong made 7 saves in the losing effort.

Thailand participated in its first Women's World Cup at the senior level in 2015 in Canada. They put in a respectable showing, falling to Norway 4-0 before picking up thir first win in a FIFA competition when they rallied for a 3-2 victory against the Ivory Coast. Following the win, Thailand fell to then-world No. 1 Germany and bowed out of the tournament at the end of group play. Thailand's victory featured two goals from Orathai Srimanee and one from Thanatta Chawong, both of whom are on the current Thailand team.

The match also marks a homecoming of sorts, as the Flash will be returning to the Demske Sports Complex. The home of the NCAA's Canisius College Golden Griffins was also previously the home of WNY back when they were known as the Buffalo Flash. The Flash used the Demske in 2010 for a season that saw them go undefeated and win the USL W-League Championship.

At the FIFA break and after 19 matches, the Flash sit in 4rd place in the NWSL standings with 29 points, one behind the Chicago Red Stars. Western New York currently leads Seattle Reign FC by 2 points, meaning a win or draw in their regular season finale would clinch the final playoff spot for the Flash.

Following Saturday's game against Thailand, the Flash will take a trip back to Boston to face the Breakers on Saturday, September 24, at Jordan Field. The game against Boston will mark the final game of the regular season for the Flash, who are 2-0-1 against the Breakers this year and have outscored them in 3 matches 13-3. The Flash's last match against Boston ended with a 2-2 draw in Boston.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 16, 2016


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