PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC VS. WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH SUNDAY, OCT. 2, 2016, 2 P.M. (PT) VP Communications: Chris Metz - (503) 553-5433, cmetz@timbers.com Manager, Media Relations: - Timbers: Jhamie Chin - (503) 553-5529, jchin@timbers.com Coordinator, Media Relations: Kevin Acevedo - (503) 553-5512, kacevedo@timbers.com
THORNS FC
2016 SCHEDULE
FLASH
2016 NWSL RECORD: 12-3-5 (Home: 8-1-1; Away: 4-2-4)
VS.
12-3-5 (41pts)
9-6-5 (32pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 Kickoff: 2 p.m. (Pacific) Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.) Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 57 degrees Referee: Marco Vega Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Benjamin Wooten Fourth Official: Farhad Dadkho National TV: FS1 Talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Kyndra de St. Aubin (analyst)
NWSL PLAYOFF SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE Friday, Sept. 30 TIME (PT) Chicago Red Stars at Washington Spirit 5 p.m.
NATIONAL TV FS1
Sunday, Oct. 2 Western NY at Portland Thorns FC
NATIONAL TV FS1
TIME (PT) 2 p.m.
REGULAR SEASON REVIEW Portland Thorns FC returns to the NWSL Playoffs for the third time in four seasons, claiming the NWSL Shield on the final day of the 2016 regular season after defeating Sky Blue FC 3-1 on Sept. 25 at Yurcak Field. Portland’s home form was key in helping the team claim a playoff berth. Thorns FC finished the regular season with the best home record (8-1-1) in the league and finished the season on a four-game winning streak to leapfrog the Washington Spirit in the league table to capture the club’s first-ever Shield. Thorns FC started the 2016 campaign on a 12-game unbeaten run, the longest unbeaten run in the NWSL this season and the second-longest run in league history behind the 16 straight games by Seattle Reign FC in 2016. With her 10 assists in 2016, midfielder Tobin Heath set a new NWSL record for the most assists in a single season. Portland saw a number of offseason additions contribute significantly to the team’s impressive campaign. Forward Nadia Nadim set a career-high for goals scored (9) and finished fourth in the Golden Boot race. Midfielders Lindsey Horan and Dagny Brynjarsdottir each chipped in with five goals a piece. Defenders Meghan Klingenberg and Emily Sonnett were part of a backline that allowed the fewest number of goals in the league – with the 19 conceded in 20 games translating to a 0.95 goals against average. Midfielder Amandine Henry joined midway through the season and was a rock in the midfield as the team posted a record of 8-1-0 in her nine appearances this season.
DATE Sun., April 17 Sat., April 23 Sun., May 1 Sat., May 7 Sat., May 14 Sat., May 21 Sun., May 29 Sun., June 12 Fri., June 17 Wed., June 22 Sun., June 26 Sat., July 2 Sat., July 9 Sat., July 16 Sat., July 30 Sat., Aug. 27 Sun., Sept. 4 Wed., Sept. 7 Sun., Sept. 11 Sun., Sept. 25 Sun., Oct. 2
OPPONENT TIME/RESULT ORLANDO PRIDE W 2-1 @FC Kansas City D 1-1 @Boston Breakers W 1-0 @Washington Spirit D 0-0 @Seattle Reign FC D 1-1 WASHINGTON W 4-1 SEATTLE REIGN FC D 0-0 @Chicago D 1-1 @Western NY W 2-0 CHICAGO W 2-0 @Orlando Pride W 2-1 SKY BLUE FC W 2-1 FC KANSAS CITY L 1-2 @Houston Dash L 0-3 SEATTLE REIGN FC W 1-0 @Seattle Reign FC L 1-3 BOSTON W 5-1 HOUSTON DASH W 3-0 WESTERN NY W 3-2 @Sky Blue FC W 3-1 WESTERN NY^ 2 p.m.
BROADCAST/ATT. 16,073 2,033 3,698 4,333 4,631 15,823 18,114 3,131 2,235 16,931 7,143 14,287 16,942 5,661 19,231 5,888 17,152 13,752 21,144 3,780 FS1
^ - NWSL Playoffs *dates and times subject to change
MATCH DAY PREVIEW Sunday’s NWSL Playoffs semifinal match marks the first time Portland has hosted a playoff game. This will be the third meeting of the 2016 season, and 12th meeting all-time in all competitions, between Thorns FC and the Western New York Flash. Portland is undefeated in two meetings this season against the Flash, earning a 2-0 win at Sahlen’s Stadium on June 17 and a 3-2 win in the regular-season home finale at Providence Park on Sept. 11. In 11 meetings all-time, Portland has a 6-2-3 record against Western New York. In five meetings at Providence Park, Thorns FC have a 3-1-1 record against the Flash. In the inaugural NWSL Championship on Aug. 31, 2013 at Sahlen’s Stadium, Thorns FC defeated Western New York 2-0 behind goals from Tobin Heath and Christine Sinclair to help the club win its first championship.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME Playing their home matches at downtown Portland’s iconic Providence Park, Thorns FC have led the league in attendance in each of their first three NWSL seasons. Globally, Portland has the highest attendance of any women’s professional team in the world, averaging 15,639 fans in their third season in the league in 2015. Thorns FC finished their 2016 home schedule with a record of 8-1-1 at Providence Park as they played in front of their third sellout crowd in team history on Sept. 11. In 10 home matches this season, Portland set a new NWSL record for total (169,449) and average (16,945) attendance in the team’s fourth season.