NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update: April 11, 2019

Published on April 11, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Opening their seventh NWSL season, Portland Thorns FC travel to square off against the Orlando Pride in their 2019 season opener on Sunday, April 14, at Orlando City Stadium. Beginning at 2 p.m., Sunday's match will feature a live stream available on Yahoo! Sports.

Record in NWSL season openers

Since their first NWSL season in 2013, Thorns FC have produced a 4-1-1 record in season-opening matches, winning four of their last five season openers. Sunday's match marks the fourth time Portland has opened the season on the road in seven seasons (2013, 2014, 2018, 2019). Thorns FC opened both the 2013 and 2014 seasons with away matches, earning a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City in 2013 and a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash to begin the 2014 season, while falling to the North Carolina Courage 1-0 in 2018.

Against Orlando

Sunday's match is the first of two meetings between Orlando and Portland over the first four games of the 2019 season. The two teams will square off again on May 11 in Orlando. The season-opening match marks the eighth meeting in the regular season between the two sides, with Thorns FC holding a 5-1-1 advantage all-time. On the road, Portland is 2-0-1 against the Pride, including a 2-0 win on Aug. 11, 2018, receiving goals from Lindsey Horan and Hayley Raso. Thorns FC have two shutouts in three road matches against the Pride. Horan has four goals and one assist in seven matches against Orlando.

On the road

Thorns FC will open the 2019 season with six consecutive road games, the longest stretch of consecutive road matches in club history, due to completion work on the $85 million transformation of Providence Park. Portland found success on the road in 2018, posting the second-best record in the league (6-3-3) and the second-most wins (6), while conceding just 11 goals. Thorns FC concluded 2018 by earning at least one point in four of their last six road matches.

April form

Since 2013, Portland has posted a record of 10-1-6 during the month of April. Under head coach Mark Parsons over the last three seasons, Thorns FC are 4-1-3 in April. Christine Sinclair has solid numbers early in the season, tallying six goals and three assists in 14 career games during the month of April. In April 2018, Sinclair recorded two goals and two assists in three games.

Next match

Up next, Thorns FC will take on the Chicago Red Stars in a road match on Saturday, April 20, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match will feature a live stream available on Yahoo! Sports.

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