NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

Published on May 30, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC, on a two-game winning streak in the National Women's Soccer League, kick off a three-game homestand on Saturday against the Chicago Red Stars at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Saturday's match at JELD-WEN Field will be carried live on the radio on Freedom 970 AM with a high-definition web stream on www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Facing U.S. Women's National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo in her NWSL debut, Thorns FC converted an 84th-minute penalty kick for a 1-0 win against Seattle Reign FC on May 25 in front of 3,324 fans at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. Forward Christine Sinclair tallied her team-leading fourth goal of the season, slotting the penalty kick past Solo to the left side. Thorns FC scored their league-leading seventh second-half goal, while remaining the only NWSL side yet to suffer a loss away from home in 2013.

Thorns FC (6-1-1, 19pts), tied on points with Sky Blue FC for first place in the league standings, have pieced together a 190-minute streak without conceding a goal, including back-to-back shutouts against the Washington Spirit (May 19) and Seattle Reign FC (May 25). The streak is just two minutes shy of the club's season-long stretch of 192 minutes without conceding a goal from April 21 to May 4.

Portland faces the Chicago Red Stars (0-4-2, 2pts) for the third time this season, already earning a pair of 2-0 wins against the Windy City club on April 27 and May 12 at Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill. Thorns FC have outshot the Red Stars 28-18, including 18-7 on goal, in two games.

Chicago came close to earning its first win on May 24 against the Western New York Flash. Forward Lori Chalupny tallied the go-ahead goal for the Red Stars in the 52nd minute at Sahlen's Stadium in Rochester, N.Y., but the Flash netted the equalizer and game-winning goal in the next 15 minutes for a 2-1 win. Reserve goalkeeper Taylor Vancil made her NWSL debut for Chicago against Western New York, stopping five shots in the place of injured starter Erin McLeod. McLeod, a Canadian international, will miss Saturday's game along with defenders Carmelina Moscato and Rachel Quon on national team duty.

Thorns FC will be without Canada Women's National Team duo Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc and U.S. Women's National Team standouts Alex Morgan and Rachel Buehler for an international friendly between the United States and Canada on Sunday in Toronto; kickoff is 1:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live on ESPNews.

Following Saturday's match, Thorns FC play host to FC Kansas City on Thursday, June 6, at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 7:30 p.m. (Pacific). In the final match of the three-game homestand, Thorns FC squares off against Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, June 16, at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific). All three home games will be broadcast live on Freedom 970 AM with a high-definition web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com. Tickets are available for all Thorns FC home games at the JELD-WEN Field box office, online or by calling the Portland Timbers ticket sales office at (503) 553-5555.

TEAM NEWS

Three amateur players called up for Thorns FC match against Chicago

Thorns FC announced on Thursday that goalkeeper Cris Lewis, midfielder Amanda Dutra and defender Carlie Davis have been called into the team as amateur players for Saturday's match against the Chicago Red Stars at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Classified as amateur players, the three additions will provide Thorns FC with roster depth on Saturday as Portland will be missing all four national team players for an international friendly between the United States and Canada on Sunday at BMO Field in Toronto.

Lewis, 25, is a former standout goalkeeper at Portland State University, claiming multiple program records. The Burien, Wash., native holds the Vikings all-time career records in saves (375), shutouts (17) and wins (24) following a four-year career from 2006-09. Lewis, a four-time All-Big Sky Conference selection, was named the conference's Defensive MVP as a senior in 2009.

Dutra, 22, finished her four-year career at Portland State in 2012 as the program's all-time career leader in assists (16). In 68 appearances for the Vikings from 2009-12, the Sherwood, Ore., native recorded eight goals and 16 assists. Dutra was a four-time All-Big Sky Conference pick as a midfielder, helping the Vikings to a co-regular season championship in 2012.

Davis, 22, started all 25 games during her senior season in 2012, helping Baylor to one of the more impressive seasons in school history. While serving as a key defender for the Bears, Davis was part of a 2012 squad that set the school record for most wins (19) and shutouts in a season (13), and fewest goals allowed (14), shots allowed (173), assists allowed (9) and points allowed (37). The Bears reached the third round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament before falling in penalty kicks to eventual champion North Carolina.

Timbers, Thorns FC launch new online auction site to benefit Stand Together

The Portland Timbers and Thorns FC last week launched a new online auction website, featuring autographed memorabilia, game-worn gear and one-of-a-kind game-day experiences, with proceeds benefitting the clubs' community outreach platform Stand Together and the Portland Timbers Community Fund. Click here to view the items currently up for bid.

Stand Together supports local nonprofit organizations focusing on youth programs related to sport, education, fitness and the environment. The Stand Together mission is to harness the power of sport to improve the lives of children and families in the region through targeted programs, deep partnerships and philanthropic giving and is supported in part by adidas, Alaska Airlines, JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, Burgerville, and PGE.

Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance spotlight Saturday on Nong's Khao Man Gai

Saturday's featured Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance member is Nong's Khao Man Gai. Nong's will be serving their signature chicken and rice dish with their famous ginger/soybean chili sauce as well as fried chicken wings smothered in Nong's sweet chili glaze at the Soccer City Grill concession stand above Section 93. For more information on the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance visit portlandtimbers.com/PTFCA

Four Thorns FC players called up for national team duty

Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan and Rachel Buehler (United States) and forward Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (Canada) have been called up by their respective national teams for a match between the U.S. Women's National Team and the Canadian Women's National Team on Sunday, June 2, at BMO Field in Toronto.

All four players departed for Toronto following last Saturday's 1-0 win at Seattle Reign FC and will return to Portland on June 3. The players will miss the Thorns FC home game against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday at JELD-WEN Field.

The match, which will be broadcast on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPNews, marks the first friendly for either national team during the inaugural season of the NWSL. It is the first time the United States and Canada will meet since a dramatic London 2012 Olympic semifinal match on Aug. 6 that saw the U.S. Women's National Team emerge with a 4-3 win following a game-winning goal by Morgan in the 123rd minute. The game is also part of U.S. Soccer's Centennial Celebration weekend, which includes the U.S. Men's National Team facing Germany at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Tobin Heath, who will join Thorns FC following the conclusion of her contract in France, was also called up by U.S. Women's National Team head coach Tom Sermanni.

Thorns FC defender Emilee O'Neil to participate at Mercy Corps movie screening on June 4

Thorns FC defender Emilee O'Neil, along with Portland Timbers players Bright Dike and Futty Danso, will share stories of how soccer changed their lives and the communities they grew up in during a special screening of the film "The Beautiful Game: Stories of Soccer and Community Change" at 6 p.m. on June 4 at Mercy Corps in Portland.

Located at 28 SW 1st Ave., in downtown Portland, the Mercy Corps event will include a raffle and guided tour through the "Art of Sport + Play", an exhibit on how sport and play changes lives all over the world created by author Kevin Carroll.

Watch Thorns FC matches at one of four pub partner locations

Thorns FC fans can watch Thorns FC matches at one of four pub partner locations during the 2013 National Women's Soccer League season. Mad Greek Deli (1740 E. Burnside), Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave.), On Deck (910 NW 4th Ave.) and McGillacuddy's (11133 NE Halsey St.) will each have a television dedicated to the live web stream of Thorns FC games this season.

Thorns FC single-game tickets on sale

Thorns FC single-game tickets for the 2013 National Women's Soccer League season are on sale. In addition to being available at the JELD-WEN Field box office, fans also will be able to purchase tickets, starting at $12, for each of the team's regular-season NWSL home matches online at www.portlandthornsfc.com . The JELD-WEN Field box office is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the Timbers ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com . Additional group information can be found at www.portlandtimbers.com/thornsfc/thorns-group-outings .

Thorns FC season tickets still available

Thorns FC season tickets are still available, starting at $9 per game. Thorns FC season tickets are available in a pro-rated, eight-game package. Portland plays all of its home games at JELD-WEN Field. Visit the Thorns FC season tickets page online for more information and pricing regarding season tickets.

THORNS FC MEDIA SOURCES

Radio: The club's weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. (Pacific) on flagship station 750 AM The Game. "Talk Timbers" provides team news and interviews covering the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer as well as regular updates, features and player interviews covering Portland Thorns FC.

Fans can submit questions, provide comments or simply follow the conversation on Talk Timbers on Twitter with the hashtag #TalkTimbers.

Fans can tune in to the show live on 750 AM The Game or listen online at www.750thegame.com . Available podcasts can be downloaded at www.portlandtimbers.com/timbers-podcast-network .

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 30, 2013


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.

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