NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

Published on July 8, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


Thorns FC visit Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday, host FC Kansas City on Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC travel to Chicago to face the Red Stars for a second time in six days on Wednesday before returning home to play host the FC Kansas City on Sunday. Wednesday's match against Chicago at Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill. kicks off at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Portland then squares off against FC Kansas City on Military Appreciation Night at Providence Park on Sunday, July 13, in a match sponsored by the Army National Guard.

Both matches will be available via a live webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Portland (6-6-3, 21pts) will play on the road against Chicago twice in the next two weeks. The two teams meet on Thursday, July 17, for the final time this regular season. In the last meeting, Thorns FC led 2-0 at halftime, but conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of a 2-2 draw on July 4 at Providence Park. Forward Jessica McDonald opened the scoring in the 24th minute, while defender Sarah Huffman added Portland's second goal of the match in the 39th minute. The goal was McDonald's ninth of the season and set a new single-season club record, breaking the previous record of eight goals set by forwards Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair during the 2013 season.

On Sunday, Thorns FC and FC Kansas City meet for the second, and final, time during the regular season at Providence Park. Portland earned a 3-1 victory on April 26 in the season opener at Providence Park as McDonald registered a brace and midfielder Allie Long converted a penalty kick in the win. FC Kansas City won the most recent meeting, 1-0, on June 28 at Verizon Wireless Field in Kansas City, Mo.

Portland is 2-1-2 all-time against Chicago, including a mark of 2-0-0 on the road. Thorns FC won both meetings in Chicago last season by a score of 2-0 on April 27, 2013, and May 12, 2013. Portland is 2-1-0 all-time at Providence Park against FC Kansas City.

Individually, forward Jessica McDonald is tied for third in the league with nine goals this season. Midfielder VerÃ"nica Boquete tallied her team-leading third assist on July 4 and ranks among the league leaders in assists. Forward Christine Sinclair leads the league in shots (50) and is tied for second in shots on goal (26). As a team, Portland has recorded a league-best 228 shots, while ranking second in shots on goal (103). Thorns FC have attempted a league-leading 107 corner kicks.

Chicago (6-6-3, 21pts) plays its first home match since June 15 on Wednesday. The Red Stars are 2-2-1 at home this season and have conceded just four goals. Chicago forward Jen Hoy leads the team with four goals and two assists. Forward Christen Press appeared in her third match of the season for Chicago on July 4 and scored two goals. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc ranks third in the league in goals-against average (1.00) and shutouts (3).

FC Kansas City (10-4-3, 33pts) is tied for second in the league in goals scoring (30) and fewest goals allowed (17). The Blues come into Sunday's match following a 5-0 win against Sky Blue FC on July 6, at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. FC Kansas City is riding a seven-match winning streak and is unbeaten in its last nine matches. All four losses have come on the road this season. Forwards Amy Rodriguez and Lauren Holiday rank among the league leaders with 10 and seven goals, respectively. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart leads the league with eight shutouts.

Portland is 11-4-5 all-time on the road in all competitions, dating back to the 2013 season. Thorns FC have earned a mark of 3-2-2 away from home in 2014. Portland has conceded just eight goals on the road this season, while posting two shutout victories.

Following Sunday's match, Thorns FC return to Chicago for a match on Thursday, July 17, at Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.; kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (Pacific).

TEAM NEWS

Final three Thorns FC regular-season home matches to be broadcast live on ESPN

Three Portland Thorns FC home games at Providence Park are part of a nine-game schedule of NWSL games that will air live on the ESPN networks beginning this month.

Kicking off ESPN's slate of regular-season matches, Thorns FC play host to the Boston Breakers on Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m. (Pacific) at Providence Park. The match will be carried live on ESPN2.

Thorns FC's home match on Sunday, Aug. 3, against NWSL expansion side Houston Dash, originally scheduled for 2 p.m., will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. (Pacific).

Closing out the network's regular-season broadcast schedule, Portland plays host to Pacific Northwest-rival Seattle Reign FC in the regular-season home finale at Providence Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, on ESPN3; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Additionally, Portland's match on Aug. 17 against Seattle Reign FC will be carried live on Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

Access to live programming on the ESPN3 channel of WatchESPN.com is available at no additional cost to fans with subscriptions to participating high-speed internet service providers.

Alex Morgan nominated for Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Sports award

Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan has been nominated for an inaugural Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Sports award in the "Sickest Move" category.

The show hands out awards to kids' favorite athletes and the show will air live on Thursday, July 17, at 5 p.m. (Pacific).

808 Grinds to be featured food cart Sunday at Providence Park

As part of the match-day experience at Providence Park, fans can enjoy food from four of Portland's most popular food carts through the Portland Timbers Food Cart Alliance (PTFCA). Featured on Sunday at Providence Park will be 808 Grinds.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food-cart culture. In addition to 808 Grinds, Nong's Khao Man Gai, Big-Ass Sandwiches and Stumptown Dumplings also will be featured at Providence Park in 2014 at both Timbers and Portland Thorns FC home games. To learn more about PTFCA, visit www.timbers.com/ptfca-members.

Timbers, AC Portland return 50/50 raffle, fundraiser for a second season in 2014

A resounding success in 2013, the Timbers and AC Portland have teamed with Pointstreak 5050 to once again bring the 50/50 raffle to fans at Providence Park.

At all Timbers and Thorns FC home games in 2014, fans will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets from the time gates open until the 60th minute, and jackpot totals will be displayed in real time on the scoreboard and at the AC Portland 50/50 kiosk located near Gate 4. One winning ticket will be selected and announced at the 70th minute of the match, with the winner taking home half of the event's net proceeds. The remaining proceeds benefit AC Portland and the Portland Timbers Community Fund.

Be part of the 2014 KeyBank LTFC

All Timbers and Thorns FC fans 12-years-old or younger are encouraged to be part of the 2014 KeyBank LTFC. A $25 membership gets you an exclusive 2014 KeyBank LTFC Timbers/Thorns scarf, two free Thorns FC flex tickets, an invitation to exclusive KeyBank LTFC team training and autograph session and other great benefits.

Thorns FC open new team store at Providence Park

Thorns FC, in partnership with Gameday Merchandising and Nike, opened a new official team store at Providence Park on April 26, located in the southeast corner of the stadium adjacent to the Providence Sports Care Center. General hours of business for the new Thorns FC store are Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 8, 2014


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