Portland Thorns FC Host Seattle Reign FC Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN3
Published on August 16, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (Aug. 16, 2014) - The playoff fate of Alex Morgan and Portland Thorns FC could hang in the balance when they host Kim Little and 2014 NWSL Shield winners Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, August 17 at 5 p.m. ET in a match broadcast nationally on ESPN3 from Providence Park in Portland, Ore.
Morgan and the Thorns come into the weekend needing help in order to defend their 2013 NWSL Championship after falling to a 2-0 road loss at the hands of the last-place Boston Breakers in Week 18.
Indeed, Portland could take the field Sunday having already been eliminated from the 2014 postseason should the both the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars win their matches on Saturday.
However, should either the Spirit or Red Stars fail to win Saturday - the door would be open for the Thorns to clinch their second-consecutive trip to the playoffs with a victory over Seattle on Sunday.
The is also a scenario in which Portland can qualify for the postseason if they draw with the Reign AND Chicago loses to the Western New York Flash by three or more goals AND Sky Blue FC does not win its remaining two games.
It should be noted the Red Stars have not lost by more than two goals this season - and have only lost by a two-goal margin twice, although one of those instances was against Western New York.
Regardless, Portland coach Paul Riley will want his star-studded lineup to be at the best Sunday should they be afforded the opportunity to earn their way into the playoffs.
Morgan (5 goals, 4 assists) has been terrific in the 13 games in which she has played this season, with fellow forwards Jessica McDonald (11 goals, 1 assist) and Christine Sinclair (7 goals, 1 assist) stepping up in her absence.
The Thorns midfield has also been well marshalled with Allie Long (9 goals, 2 assists) and Veronica Boquete (4 goals, 6 assists) featuring while Portland has been forced to make do without Tobin Heath.
The U.S. international has played only four matches this season and is expected to miss Sunday's match with a sprained lateral collateral ligament in her right knee.
Portland did receive a fitness boost in Week 18 when defender Rachel Van Hollebeke came on for the final four minutes of the match.
The Thorns will need all hands on deck Sunday against Reign FC, who wrapped up the NWSL's best regular-season record all the way back on July 30.
After completing a four-game sweep of Seattle in the season series last year, the Thorns have lost both games against Reign FC this year and have been shutout in both matches.
In fact, Seattle has outscored the defending champions 6-0 over the two games - including a 5-0 rout in which four of the five goals came from players who weren't on the Reign's roster last season.
The architect of Seattle's transformation, general manager and coach Laura Harvey, will be keen for her side to maintain its momentum going into the playoffs after completing an undefeated regular-season at home.
The Reign were 8-0-4 at Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium this year - with midfielder Kim Little ensuring Seattle maintained their unbeaten status at home with her 89th-minute leveler in a 1-1 draw with Washington in Week 18.
The goal was her league-leading 16th of the season to go along with seven assists. The Scotland international has enjoyed a stunning first year in the NWSL, having been named Player of the Month on three separate occasions.
Of course, Little is hardly alone in her exploits on a team that has established NWSL records for points in a season (currently 54), goals scored (50), consecutive wins (7) and consecutive games unbeaten (16).
Forwards Nahomi "Naho" Kawasmi (9 goals, 5 assists), Bev Goebel (5 goals, 4 assists), Sydney Leroux (5 goals) and Megan Rapinoe (4 goals, 1 assist) have been and offensive juggernaut this season with Jess Fishlock (4 goals, 8 assists) pulling the strings in midfield.
In addition to their offensive exploits, Seattle's defense has the opportunity to earn an impressive accolade of its own Sunday.
The Reign's defensive unit of Stephanie Cox, Kendall Fletcher, Elli Reed and Lauren Barnes as well as goalkeeper Hope Solo and midfield general Keelin Winters will establish a new NWSL single-season record for fewest goals allowed with a shutout against the Thorns - a feat that, if accomplished, will be all the more impressive by the fact that it was done in two more games than the 20 goals conceded last season by Western New York.
In the NWSL Playoffs, U.S. Women's National Team midfielder and 2013 NWSL Most Valuable Player Lauren Holiday leads FC Kansas City into the first match-up of the playoffs against the third place team (TBD) on Saturday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 at Verizon Wireless Field in Kansas City, Mo.
The other semifinal kicks off on Sunday, August 24 at 11:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2 when NWSL scoring leader Kim Little and her NWSL Shield winning Seattle Reign FC squad face off against the fourth place team (TBD) at Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, Wash.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 16, 2014
- Red Stars End Regular Season with 3-3 Tie vs WNY Flash - Chicago Stars FC
- Ocampo Tally Lifts Sky Blue FC Past Washington - Sky Blue FC
- Flash End 2014 Campaign with 3-3 Draw at Chicago Red Stars - Western New York Flash
- Red Stars Seeking First Pro Playoff Berth Tonight - Chicago Stars FC
- Portland Thorns FC Host Seattle Reign FC Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN3 - NWSL
- Breakers end their 2014 NWSL season home at Harvard - Boston Breakers
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