NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update: May 29, 2018

Published on May 29, 2018 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Facing a quick turnaround, Portland Thorns FC play host to the North Carolina Courage in a midweek match on Wednesday, May 30, at Providence Park. Wednesday's match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) and features a live web stream available at www.go90.com and on the go90 app.

Recent form

Portland (4-3-3, 15pts) recorded its second consecutive clean-sheet victory, recording a 2-0 win over Utah Royals FC on May 25 at Providence Park, receiving first-half goals from forward Christine Sinclair, who registered her league-leading sixth goal of the season, and midfielder Lindsey Horan. Midfielder Tobin Heath and defender Meghan Klingenberg each registered their second assists of the season in the match. With the result, head coach Mark Parsons became the third coach in league history to reach 50 career NWSL wins.

Against North Carolina

Wednesday's match marks the fourth meeting all-time during the regular season between Portland and North Carolina. The two teams met earlier this season, with the Courage registering a 1-0 win on March 24 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The last time these two teams squared off at Providence Park, Thorns FC earned a 1-0 win on July 15. All three of the previous regular-season matches, and the 2017 NWSL Championship, have finished with a 1-0 score line.

Dynamic duo

Sinclair and Horan have combined for 10 of Thorns FC's 14 goals this season. Sinclair and Horan are the highest scoring pair in the NWSL this season. Sinclair leads the league with six goals scored, while Horan is tied for third with four goals. Notably, Horan has tallied three of her four goals at Providence Park, while Sinclair has added four goals in five home matches this season for Portland.

Scouting the Courage

The Courage (8-0-2, 26pts) enter Wednesday's match riding a 10-game unbeaten streak, which is currently the third-longest unbeaten streak to begin a season in league history. North Carolina picked up a 4-3 win on the road against the Orlando Pride on May 23, improving to 4-0-0 in road matches. The Courage lead the NWSL with 19 goals scored and are led by forward Jessica McDonald and midfielder Crystal Dunn, who have each tallied four goals this season.

Next match

Following a bye weekend and a league-wide international break, Thorns FC return to action with a road match against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 16, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The June 16 match is the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific).

TEAM NEWS

Sinclair named to Canada Women's National Team roster for June 10 friendly

Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair was named to the Canada Women's National Team roster for an international friendly against Germany on June 10 in Hamilton, Ontario.

Sinclair, who currently leads the NWSL with six goals in 10 matches this season, remains second on the all-time international scoring list, tallying 172 goals in 267 total appearances for Canada. She last featured for Canada against France on April 9, starting and playing 90 minutes.

Heath, Horan and Purce named to U.S. Women's National Team roster for friendlies against China

Thorns FC midfielders Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Midge Purce were named to the 24-player roster for the U.S. Women's National Team ahead of a pair of friendlies against China on June 7 and June 12.

The USWNT will play host to China in a pair of friendlies, starting with a match on June 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah at 6 p.m. (Pacific) on FS1. The two teams will meet for a second match in Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on June 12; kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific) with a national television broadcast on ESPN2.

Horan (49 caps) started in a pair of matches against Mexico on April 5 and April 8, tallying a pair of assists in a 4-1 win on April 5 and scoring a goal in a 6-2 victory on April 8. Heath (132 caps) returns to camp with the USWNT for the first time since she logged 18 minutes in a substitute appearance against New Zealand on Sept. 19, 2017. This marks the second time Purce has been named to a USWNT roster. Purce was part of the roster for the 2017 Tournament of Nations, but did not make an appearance during the tournament.

Thorns FC team up with local partners for seventh-annual Stand Together Week June 9-15

Thorns FC players along with Portland Timbers and T2 players will participate in the club's seventh-annual Stand Together Week from June 9-15. The comprehensive, week-long community initiative supports dozens of nonprofit projects and volunteer opportunities across the city.

On June 6, the city of Portland officially will proclaim June 9-15 as Stand Together Week, while the state of Oregon also will issue an official proclamation on a date to be determined.

Stand Together Week, with the help of Hands On Greater Portland, will consist of upwards of 33 volunteer projects, benefitting more than 30 organizations focused on youth and the environment across the Portland metro area. Fans are invited to volunteer and team up with mascot Timber Joey, select Timbers, T2 and Thorns FC players and club staff on the various projects.

To sign up as a volunteer for one of the Stand Together Week projects or for more information on the overall initiative, please visit www.timbers.com/standtogetherweek.

Bokie Dokie to be featured food cart Wednesday at Providence Park

For a sixth consecutive season, fans will be able to enjoy food from some of the most popular food carts around Portland, including Wednesday's featured food cart, Bokie Dokie, as part of the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA).

The PTFCA is designed to highlight Portland's food-cart culture, with featured food carts 808 Grinds, Kim Jong Grillin and KOi Fusion regularly appearing at Providence Park for both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home matches in 2018. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/matchday/ptfca.

Thorns FC selected as Grand Marshal for PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade

In honor of their 2017 NWSL Championship title, Thorns FC were announced as Grand Marshals of the Portland General Electric/SOLVE Starlight Parade at halftime of their match on May 12 against the Orlando Pride.

A highlight of the annual Portland Rose Festival, the PGE/SOLVE Starlight Parade, which draws more than 325,000 spectators, will showcase Thorns FC throughout downtown Portland the evening of Saturday, June 2. The parade will feature a live broadcast on FOX 12 Oregon (KPTV) from 9-11 p.m. (Pacific).

Providence Park to host 2018 NWSL Championship match

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Thorns FC announced that Providence Park will host the 2018 NWSL Championship match on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) on Lifetime.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 7, at 10 a.m. Fans will be able to purchase tickets by calling (888) 736-6849 or online at www.thornsfc.com. In addition, fans are able to purchase tickets at the Providence Park box office. The Providence Park box office is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Portland Thorns FC Annual Members will have access to an exclusive presale beginning Tuesday, June 5, with details to be emailed to annual members later this month. Tickets will be held for fans of both participating teams and be made available once the teams are set.

Single-game tickets and annual memberships on sale for 2018 season

Single-game tickets for 2018 home matches at Providence Park are available now.

Fans can purchase tickets for the team's regular-season home matches by calling (888) 736-6849 or online here. Additionally, fans can purchase tickets at the Providence Park box office, which is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday).

Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com. Additional group information can be found here.

Fans interested in purchasing Thorns FC Annual Memberships for the 2018 season are encouraged to call the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or email ticketsales@timbers.com.

Fill up at your local 76 gas station and earn free Thorns FC tickets

Fill up with eight gallons or more at participating 76 gas stations and receive a voucher good for two general admission tickets to a Thorns FC match, which you can redeem at the Providence Park box office or at www.thornsfc.com/76.

Visit www.thornsfc.com/76 for all the details.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 29, 2018


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