NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update: September 26, 2019

Published on September 26, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - With two matches remaining on their regular-season schedule, Portland Thorns FC travel for a road match against Reign FC on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash. Beginning at 11 a.m. (Pacific), the match features a national television broadcast on ESPN2.

Playoff picture

Portland (11-5-6, 39pts) secured its fourth consecutive trip to the NWSL playoffs, and its sixth trip to the postseason in seven NWSL seasons, after earning a 1-0 win against the Houston Dash at Providence Park on Sept. 21. Thorns FC enter Sunday's match within striking distance of the Chicago Red Stars, which currently sit in second place in the NWSL standings with 41 points. With a win against Reign FC on Sunday and a loss or draw by Chicago on Sept. 28 against Utah Royals FC, Portland can secure a home playoff game for a fourth consecutive season. Pending results in the final two weeks of the season, Thorns FC could finish the season in second, third or fourth place. Portland holds the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Red Stars, while Reign FC has the head-to-head tiebreaker with Thorns FC.

Recent form

Thorns FC registered their 11th win of the season on Sept. 21 against the Dash, scoring their 40th goal of the 2019 campaign. The team's 40 goals this season are tied for the most in single season in club history, equaling the team's goal total from 2018. Tobin Heath scored the game-winning goal in the team's win against the Dash. The goal was Heath's third of the season, marking the second consecutive season Heath has tallied multiple goals. Heath is one of seven players this season to record multiple goals for Portland.

On the road

Sunday's match marks the final regular-season road game for Thorns FC in 2019. Portland has posted a record of 4-3-4 away from Providence Park this season, with a mark of 18-12-17 over the last four seasons. Thorns FC's 18 goals on the road in 2019 are the most away goals by the club in a single season in team history. Midge Purce has three road goals this season, including a pair of game-winners, while two of Heath's three goals this campaign have come in road matches.

Next match

Thorns FC square off against the Washington Spirit in their regular-season finale on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Providence Park. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific), the match will be broadcast on Yahoo! Sports.

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