NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update: October 17, 2019

Published on October 17, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - After securing the No. 3 seed in the NWSL Playoffs on the final day of the regular season, Portland Thorns FC travel for a road match in the semifinal round of the playoffs against the No. 2 seed Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, Oct. 20, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match features a national television broadcast on ESPN2.

Playoff History

Portland is making its sixth appearance in seven seasons in the NWSL playoffs, which is the most playoff appearances of any team in the league, and have qualified for the postseason in four consecutive seasons. Entering Sunday's match, Portland is 5-3-0 all-time in the playoffs. Thorns FC will travel for a road semifinal for the first time since 2014 and just the third time in six trips to the playoffs. Portland won its 2013 road semifinal 3-2 against FC Kansas City in extra time and fell 2-0 to FC Kansas City in 2014. Sunday's match marks the first time Thorns FC have faced Chicago in the postseason.

Against Chicago

Sunday's match marks 21st meeting, including playoffs, between Portland and Chicago. Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last 17 games (8-0-9) against Chicago. Portland is 10-1-9 all-time against the Red Stars, including a record of 4-0-6 in road games against Chicago. Thorns FC posted a record of 2-0-1 during the 2019 regular season against the Red Stars, scoring three or more goals in each of the matches. In the only meeting between the two sides at SeatGeek Stadium during the 2019 regular season, the two teams played to a 4-4 draw on April 20, which include a hat-trick by Christine Sinclair. Notably, Sinclair has scored 14 goals in 18 career matches against the Red Stars.

Playoff Performers

Sinclair and Tobin Heath have appeared in all eight Thorns FC playoff games. Lindsey Horan, Heath and Sinclair are tied for the team lead in career playoff goals with three goals each. Heath and Horan also have tallied a pair of assists in postseason play for Portland. Additionally, Emily Sonnett has scored two goals in five playoff games. Dating back to 2013, eight different players have scored a goal for the club in the postseason.

Next Match

The winner of Sunday's match will advance to the NWSL Championship and square off against No. 1 North Carolina Courage or No. 4 Reign FC on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match will feature a national television broadcast on ESPN.

TEAM NEWS

Join the Thorns FC official viewing party Sunday at Paddy's

Fans are invited to attend the club's official viewing party to watch Sunday's NWSL Playoffs semifinal against the Chicago Red Stars at Paddy's (65 SW Yamhill St. 97204); kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday's viewing party is open to fans of all ages. There, fans can watch the match with other Thorns FC supporters and enter to win prizes.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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