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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Remain Unbeaten with 2-0 Shutout Win against Chicago Red Stars

June 23, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Behind a pair of first-half goals from forwards Christine Sinclair and Nadia Nadim, and an assist from midfielder Amandine Henry on her home debut, Portland Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches with a 2-0 win against the Chicago Red Stars in front of 16,931 fans on Wednesday night at Providence Park.

With the win, Thorns FC (5-0-5, 20pts) sit atop the NWSL standings, and the team's unbeaten streak is now tied for the second-longest unbeaten streak in league history. Playing the top team in the standings heading into the week for the fourth time in the last five games, Portland claimed three points for the third time those four matches, posting a record of 3-0-1.

Squaring off against Chicago for the second time in an 11-day span, Thorns FC limited the Red Stars to single-digit shots on goal for the second straight match as Chicago registered only three shots on goal. Defensively, Thorns FC recorded their fifth clean sheet of the season, which is tied for the most in the league.

Sinclair put Portland ahead 1-0 with a goal in the sixth minute, scoring for a third straight match as she pounced on a pass by Chicago defender Julie Johnston near the goal line, sending the ball past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and into the back to the net.

Henry made her first career start for Portland and nearly increased Thorns FC's lead in the ninth minute, hitting a quick side-footed attempt just over the crossbar off a corner kick from midfielder Tobin Heath. In the 25th minute, Henry helped set up Portland's second goal, tallying her first career assist for the club, as she got on the end of a corner kick from Heath. Henry delivered a header on frame that was flicked into the net from the goal line by Nadim to double Portland's lead.

Thorns FC created several additional chances in the second half. Receiving a perfectly weighted ball played into the box from Henry, Sinclair turned a fired a shot that went just over the bar in the 60th minute. Deep in second-half stoppage time, forward Hayley Raso delivered a low cross from the left side to the back post for forward Mallory Weber, but Weber sent her close-range attempt just wide of the right post.

Up next, Thorns FC return to the road for a match against the Orlando Pride on Sunday, June 26, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Sunday's match kicks off at 2 p.m. (Pacific) with a live web stream at www.thornsfc.com.

Notes:

- Midfielder Amandine Henry earned her first career start and made her home debut in the match, while tallying her first career assist for Portland.

- Thorns FC are unbeaten in their first 10 matches this season - tied for the second-longest unbeaten streak in league history (FC Kansas City - 2013).

- Portland ranks first in the league in goals scored (14) and has also surrendered the fewest goals in the NWSL (5) this season.

- Wednesday's match marked the fourth time in the last five games Thorns FC have faced the team at the top of the standings heading into the week. Portland claimed 10 out of the possible 12 points in those four matches.

- Portland recorded its 20th win at Providence Park in the match (20-10-7) and is unbeaten in its last seven home matches (6-0-1), dating back to the 2015 season.

- Defender Emily Menges played her 50th career match for Portland becoming just the fourth player in club history to reach that milestone along with Allie Long, Christine Sinclair and Mana Shim.

- Thorns FC improved 4-1-6 in the all-time series against Chicago, including a mark of 2-1-2 at Providence Park.

- Forward Christine Sinclair has tallied six goals in 10 career games against Chicago.

- Menges and forward Nadia Nadim are the only two players to start every game this season for Portland.

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