NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

Published on April 10, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Defending National Women's Soccer League champions Portland Thorns FC kick off their 2014 regular-season schedule on Saturday against expansion side Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas; kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (Pacific).

Saturday's match, which marks the first-ever match for Houston after entering the league as an expansion team in 2014, will be broadcast on a live, high-definition webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com and will also be carried on Comcast SportsNet Northwest on tape-delay beginning at 10 p.m. (Pacific).

Portland enters its second NWSL season with a talented and experienced roster which includes the addition of 2013 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer. The Germany Women's National Team captain, Angerer is part of a roster which features eight returning players from last year's championship-winning team, including forwards Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan, midfielders Tobin Heath, Allie Long, Angie Kerr and Meleana Shim and defenders Nikki Marshall and Rachel Van Hollebeke. Morgan, Sinclair and Van Hollebeke all received NWSL Best XI Second Team honors in 2013.

During a busy offseason, Thorns FC was allocated Mexico Women's National Team forward Jackie Acevedo, acquired versatile forward Jessica McDonald and strengthened the midfield through the addition of Spain Women's National Team captain VerÃ"nica Boquete, Amber Brooks and Sinead Farrelly. Anchored by Angerer in goal and returning defenders Marshall and Van Hollebeke, Portland's back line added Australia Women's National Team standout Stephanie Catley, Sarah Huffman, Rebecca Moros, Courtney Niemiec and Katarina Tarr. Rookie defender Emily Menges, the team's third-round pick (No. 25 overall) in the 2014 NWSL College Draft and forward Elisabeth Sullivan (fourth round, No. 31 overall) also join the team for the 2014 season.

Thorns FC starts the season on the road for a second straight year after beginning the inaugural NWSL season in 2013 with a 1-1 draw at FC Kansas City. Portland plays its first two matches of the regular season on the road before returning home to the Rose City for the team's regular-season, home-opening match against FC Kansas City on April 26. Thorns FC compiled a league-best 6-2-3 road record in 2013, while winning back-to-back road games in the NWSL Playoffs to capture the inaugural NWSL Championship on Aug. 31, 2013, against the Western New York Flash.

Houston is coached by Texas native Randy Waldrum, the former longtime head coach of the University of Notre Dame women's soccer program. Playing their matches at BBVA Compass Stadium near downtown Houston, the Dash are captained by Canada Women's National Team goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

Following Saturday's match, Thorns FC remain on the road, traveling to face Sky Blue FC on April 19 at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.; kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (Pacific) with a live webstream on www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Watch Thorns FC matches live at Pub Partner locations

Fans have the opportunity to watch the live webstream of Portland's regular-season opener against Houston at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday at two Pub Partner locations.

McGillacuddy's Sports Bar & Grill at 11133 NE Halsey St., in Northeast Portland and McMenamins Ringlers Pub at 1332 W. Burnside in downtown Portland, will both be showing the live webstream.

Thorns FC announce full broadcast schedule, announcers for 2014 season

Thorns FC unveiled their full broadcast schedule and broadcast announcers this week. Highlighting the broadcast schedule, four Thorns matches will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Northwest, while all matches will be available via a live webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Among the games televised on Comcast SportsNet Northwest is the team's season opener on Saturday against the Houston Dash, airing on tape-delay at 10 p.m. (Pacific). Click here for full broadcast details.

Thorns play-by-play announcer Ann Schatz returns for a second season with the team and will be joined in the broadcast booth by former Thorns defender and analyst Marian Dougherty.

Thorns FC unveil on-field look for 2014 NWSL season

Through a special video, featuring community partner Girls, Inc., the Thorns unveiled their on-field looks, both home and away, for the 2014 season. Click here to watch the video.

The primary red home kit, produced by Oregon-based sports apparel manufacturer Nike, features a solid red layout with two horizontal white bars across each sleeve. Positioned on the upper left side of the chest, the distinctive Thorns FC logo is accompanied by a five-point star on the top, signifying the team's 2013 NWSL Championship. The away jersey is solid white top paired with black shorts and socks. Both the home and away jerseys also feature the logo of partner and local retailer Parklane Mattresses on the back. New for 2014, both home and away jerseys will feature the logo of Thorns FC partner GLOBOFUEL on the jersey sleeve. GLOBOFUEL will also receive logo recognition on all official match shorts.

Single-game tickets for Thorns FC home games on sale now

Single-game tickets for all 2014 regular season Thorns FC home matches at Providence Park are on sale.

Starting at $13, fans can purchase tickets for any of the team's 12 regular-season home games online at www.portlandthornsfc.com or by calling (888) 736-6849. Single-game tickets also are available for purchase at the Providence Park box office Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Pacific).

Group opportunities for Thorns FC matches are available by contacting the ticket office at (503) 553-5555 or ticketsales@timbers.com.

Thorns FC acquire Boquete, Huffman from Western New York in trade

Earlier this week, Thorns FC acquired midfielders VerÃ"nica Boquete and Huffman from the Western New York Flash in exchange for midfielder Courtney Wetzel, defender Kathryn Williamson and Portland's first-round pick in the 2015 National Women's Soccer League College Draft.

Boquete recorded six goals in 18 games for Tyresö FF during the 2013 Swedish Damallsvenskan season, helping lead the Scandinavian club to a runner-up finish and a berth in the 2013-14 UEFA Women's Champions League tournament. The captain of Spain's Women's National Team, Boquete has registered more than 30 international caps since her senior national team debut in 2005, helping lead the team to the quarterfinal round of the 2013 UEFA Women's European Championship.

Huffman appeared in 14 games for Western New York during the inaugural NWSL season in 2013. The midfielder started each of Western New York's two playoff games, playing 72 minutes during the NWSL Championship Game. The first overall pick in the 2008 WPS General Draft by the Washington Freedom, Huffman played two seasons for Washington (2009, 2010) and continued to play for the club after it relocated to Florida and was renamed magicJack for the 2011 WPS season.

THORNS FC MEDIA SOURCES

Radio: The club's weekly radio talk show, "Talk Timbers," presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, airs every Wednesday 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.timbers.com/timbers-podcast-network.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 10, 2014


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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