Sports stats



NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Stretch Unbeaten Streak to Nine Games with 2-0 Road Win over Western New York Flash

June 17, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Continuing their strong run of form on the road, Portland Thorns FC received second-half goals from forwards Christine Sinclair and Nadia Nadim, while midfielder Amandine Henry made her Thorns FC debut, helping Portland extend its unbeaten streak to nine games, including six games on the road, with a 2-0 win against the Western New York Flash in front of 2,235 fans at Rhinos Stadium on Friday evening.

Thorns FC (4-0-5, 17pts) equaled their longest-road unbeaten streak in club history with the win, while posting their fourth clean sheet of the campaign. Portland improved to 2-0-4 on the road this season, recording three shutouts. The team's nine-game unbeaten streak is now tied for the third-longest unbeaten streak in league history.

Sinclair scored for a second straight match, opening the scoring for Portland. The goal was the 19th of Sinclair's Thorns FC career, and the sixth game-winning goal of her career for Portland - the most in club history.

Switching the point of attack quickly, midfielder Lindsey Horan received a pass near midfield and delivered a quick pass to the feet of midfielder Allie Long. Long turned to find Sinclair making a run towards the box and split the defense with a pass into space. Seeing the goalkeeper off her line, Sinclair calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left to corner to give Thorns FC a 1-0 advantage in the 48th minute.

Remaining on the front foot, midfielder Tobin Heath dribbled down the left side and into the box towards the goal. In an attempt to cut back towards the middle, she was knocked down by defender Elizabeth Eddy and Thorns FC were awarded a penalty kick. Nadim stepped to the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong direction and converting to double Portland's lead in the 73rd minute.

Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch finished the match with seven saves, recording the 10th clean sheet of her NWSL career. Franch made four second-half saves, including a critical stop late in second-half stoppage time as she came all the way back across goal to deny forward Lynn Williams at point-blank range.

Facing a quick turnaround, Thorns FC return to the Rose City to play host to the Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday, June 22, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) with a live web stream at www.thornsfc.com.

Notes:

- Midfielder Amandine Henry made her Thorns FC debut becoming the first-ever French player to appear in a NWSL match.

- Portland extended its unbeaten streak to nine games, which currently ranks as the third-longest unbeaten streak in NWSL history.

- Thorns FC equaled their mark of six games unbeaten on the road (2-0-4) during the regular season set twice previously during the 2013 season (April 13 - June 22, 2013) and from the end of the 2013 regular season through the beginning of the 2014 season (Aug. 10, 2013 - May 14, 2014).

- Midfielder Allie Long made her 72nd career appearance for Portland - tied for the third-most regular-season appearances in league history, while earning her 70th career start for Thorns FC in the match.

- Portland improved to 4-2-3 in the all-time series against the Flash, including a mark of 2-1-2 in road matches.

- Thorns FC have outscored Western New York 7-3 in the last four meetings, dating back to the 2015 season.

- Long tallied her 11th career assist for Portland in the match, moving into a tie for first place all-time in career assists.

- Sinclair scored her 19th career goal for Thorns FC in the match and the sixth game-winning goal of her career in Portland - the most in club history.

- Long has tallied a goal or an assist in four consecutive matches against the Flash, dating back to the 2015 season.

- Portland is the only NWSL team to not concede multiple goals in a match this season.

- Thorns FC is one of just two teams (Washington Spirit) in the NWSL with at least three players who have scored multiple goals this season.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 17, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central