Game Notes: WNY vs Portland
Published on August 10, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
The Matchup: The Western New York Flash face the Portland Thorns FC for the second and final time this season. The two teams, who do have the potential to meet in the playoffs, played to an exciting 1-1 draw on July 14th with Abby Wambach scoring for the Flash and Meleana Shim leveling the game one minute later.
Where to Watch: The Flash and all participating NWSL teams will stream games live on the Internet throughout the 2013 season. Flash fans can find today's game video by clicking the link above.
Fans can join the conversation by following the official Flash Twitter account (above) and by using the designated hashtags for the game: #WNYF, #WNYFvPTFC, #NWSL
Where We Stand: Both teams own 34 points through 20 games and are in a three-way tie for second place in the NWSL with Sky Blue FC. Currently, the Flash own the tiebreak over both teams, with head-to-head advantage over Sky Blue and goal differential over Portland. However, Saturday's game will change the layout of the Flash vs. the Thorns.
Playoff Picture: The Flash have the opportunity to earn a home game for the 2013 NWSL semifinal on Saturday. If the Flash beat the Thorns and Sky Blue loses at Chicago, Western New York will host the August 24th game. However, any other situation would result in next Saturday's game with Boston proving to be the determining factor.
Camo Night: Saturday night will be Camo Night at Sahlen's Stadium, with former and current military members able to receive discounted tickets ($9) at the box office. The Flash Shack will also be selling limited edition camo scarves with $5 of every purchase being donated to the Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester.
Familiar Faces: Flash followers will notice Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair on the Thorns roster, both former members of the Western New York Flash. Both Morgan and Sinclair were key members of the Flash's 2011 WPS roster, a team that would go on to win the league championship. Thorns midfielder Becky Edwards, who is sidelined with an ACL injury, was also a member of that team.
Injury Update: Flash midfielder McCall Zerboni has been added to the Flash's injury report after sustaining a calf injury on Wednesday. She will be a game time decision for the team. Portland's Alex Morgan is also on the list after straining her MCL on Wednesday at Boston.
Game Twenty Recap: On Wednesday, the Flash punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 1-0 win over the visiting Seattle Reign. Carli Lloyd broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a rocketed shot past Reign goalkeeper Hope Solo, while Abby Wambach set up the score with a well-timed pass. Adrianna Franch stood tall in goal, making four saves to hold her seventh opponent without a tally, while Katherine Reynolds and the rest of the defense teamed up to contain Megan Rapinoe and the Reign offense.
The Quest for Four: This season, the Flash will aim for its fourth title, this time in the newly formed NWSL. The Flash are back-to-back-to-back Champions, winning three different championships in the three different leagues since 2010.
In that year, the then-Buffalo Flash went undefeated in the W-League, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to take the league crown. The following season, the WNY Flash won the WPS Championship in their first year as a member of the league. The Flash claimed the crown on penalty kicks in front of a league-record crowd. It took penalty kicks again for the team to win its third, coming away with a 2-1 victory over the NY Fury in the WPSL-Elite last year.
The Kit: The Flash announced that Sahlen Packing Co. would serve as the team's official jersey sponsor for the 2013 season. Joe Sahlen, owner of the Buffalo-based packaging company, started the Flash in 2008 and the Sahlen's family has been tied to the team ever since. Sahlen Sports Park in Elma serves as the official practice facility of the Flash, while the team will play home contests in Rochester at Sahlen's Stadium.
Third Time's a Charm? After the folding of the WUSA and the WPS, the NWSL will look to create a sustaining women's professional soccer league. The NWSL is backed by US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association and the Mexican Football Federation.
All teams were allocated players from the respective countries and rosters were then filled out through drafts and free agent signings.
There are eight clubs competing in the league. They are: the Boston Breakers, the Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, the Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash.
Next Game: The Flash will be on Fox Soccer Channel for their regular season finale, when the team hosts the Boston Breakers at 8 p.m. on August 17th. The game will be the Flash's "Project Pink" game as the team sports one-of-a-kind pink jerseys. The kits will be signed and raffled off following the game with proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. Winning fans will also get to take a picture with the player. In addition, baskets from local organizations along with NFL/NBA/NHL teams and Flash players will be raffled off to benefit the BCCR.
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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