NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Weekly Update

Published on July 16, 2014 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


Thorns FC face Chicago in midweek road match, host Boston Breakers on Sunday on ESPN2

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC take to the road for a midweek match on Thursday against the Chicago Red Stars before returning home to play host to the Boston Breakers on Sunday in a nationally televised match on ESPN2.

Portland travels to Chicago to take on the Red Stars for the third time this month on Thursday, July 17, at Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.; kickoff is at 5 p.m. (Pacific). Thorns FC then square off against the Boston Breakers, in a match sponsored by West Hills Vision Care, on Sunday, July 20, at Providence Park. Sunday's nationally televised match on ESPN2 kicks off at 2 p.m. (Pacific).

Thursday's match will be available via a live webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Portland (7-6-4, 25pts) enters Thursday's match following a record-setting, 7-1 victory against FC Kansas City on Sunday at Providence Park. Thorns FC established National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) records for goals in a single game (7), largest margin of victory (6) and most goals scored in a single game by two teams (8). Midfielders VerÃ"nica Boquete and Allie Long each registered a brace, while forwards Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair each finished with a goal and an assist. Midfielder Amber Brooks scored her first Thorns FC goal in the win as well.

Thorns FC have claimed at least one point in three consecutive matches heading into Thursday's game at Chicago. Portland and the Red Stars have played to consecutive draws - 2-2 on July 4 at Providence Park and 1-1 on July 9 at Benedictine Sports Complex - as the two teams meet for the third, and final, time during the regular season on Thursday. Thorns FC are 2-1-3 all-time against Chicago, including a mark of 2-0-1 on the road.

In their last meeting, Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 27th minute as Long converted a penalty kick. Chicago was awarded a penalty kick in the 86th minute when Thorns FC were whistled for a handball in the box. Forward Emily Van Egmond scored from the spot for the equalizer at the Benedictine Sports Complex.

Portland is 11-4-6 all-time on the road in all competitions, dating back to the 2013 season. Thorns FC have the second-best road record (3-2-3) in the league in 2014. Portland has conceded just nine goals on the road this season, while posting two shutout victories.

Thorns FC and Boston meet for the second time during the regular season Sunday at Providence Park. The two teams last met on May 28 in Boston at Harvard Stadium as the Breakers earned a 4-1 victory. Portland played the final 48 minutes of the match with 10 players after defender Kat Tarr was shown a straight red card in the 42nd minute. On Sunday, Thorns FC play host to the Breakers for just the second time in club history. Boston earned a 2-0 win in the only previous meeting at Providence Park on July 6, 2013.

Individually, forward Jessica McDonald is tied for third in the league with nine goals, while midfielder Allie Long ranks fifth (8 goals). Long also leads the league in corner kicks (88). Midfielder VerÃ"nica Boquete is tied for second in the NWSL in assists (5). Forward Christine Sinclair leads the league in shots (55) and is tied for the lead in shots on goal (28), while McDonald is among the top five in shots (44) and shots on goal (24). As a team, Thorns FC lead the league in shots (271), shots on goal (128) and corner kicks (114).

Chicago (7-6-4, 25pts) is coming off a 1-0 win at home against Seattle Reign FC on July 12 at Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill. The Red Stars snapped Seattle's 16-match unbeaten streak as forward Melissa Tancredi scored the game-winning goal in the eighth minute for Chicago. The Red Stars are unbeaten in their last three matches and have a record of 3-2-2 at home this season. Chicago is one of the top defensive teams in league, allowing the second fewest goals (18) in the NWSL and just five goals at home this season. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc ranks second in the league in goals-against average (0.93) and is tied for second in shutouts (4). Twelve different players have scored at least one goal for Chicago this season led by forward Jen Hoy's four goals and two assists.

Boston (3-12-2, 11pts) visits Portland on Sunday, playing its sixth consecutive road match as part of a seven-game road trip. The Breakers are winless in their last six matches and have a record of 0-6-2 on the road this season. Boston has conceded a league-high 37 goals, allowing multiple goals in 13 of its 17 matches this season. Forward Jazmine Reeves leads the team with five goals and one assist. Midfielder Heather O'Reilly ranks among the league leaders in shots on goal (24), recording four goals and two assists in 15 matches this season.

Following Sunday's match, Thorns FC travel to Washington to take on the Spirit on Wednesday, July 23, at Maureen Hendricks Field at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.; kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (Pacific).

TEAM NEWS

Boquete named NWSL Player of the Week

Portland Thorns FC midfielder VerÃ"nica Boquete was named National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Player of the Week for a second time this season.

Boquete, 27, tallied her first brace for Thorns FC and added two assists in Portland's record-setting 7-1 victory against FC Kansas City at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Spain Women's National Team captain finished with six points in the match, setting a new single-game club record for points (2g, 2a). Boquete became the fifth player in Thorns FC history to score a brace along with forwards Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair and Jessica McDonald and midfielder Allie Long. Boquete is also the fourth player in club history to tally two assists in a game.

In eight matches this season (all starts), Boquete has tallied five assists, ranking her second in the league, while scoring three goals.

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.

Acevedo selected for Women's Mexico National Team training camp

Forward Jackie Acevedo was named to the Mexico Women's National Team roster for a training camp that will run through July 20.

The training camp is in preparation for CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying this October.

Acevedo, 27, was allocated to Thorns FC via the NWSL National Team allocation process on Jan. 3, 2014. Acevedo has made two appearances as a substitute for Thorns FC this season, making her debut as a second-half substitute April 12 in a road match against the Houston Dash.

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).

Big-Ass Sandwiches 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 Big-Ass Sandwiches.

Founded in 2012, the PTFCA is a program designed to highlight the Rose City's vibrant food-cart culture. In addition to Big-Ass Sandwiches, Nong's Khao Man Gai, 808 Grinds 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 16, 2014


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