PORTLAND THORNS FC GAME NOTES PORTLAND THORNS FC VS. WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH SUNDAY, SEPT. 11, 2016, 6:30 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: 10-3-5 (Home: 7-1-1; Away: 3-2-4)
VS.
10-3-5 (35pts)
8-5-5 (29pts)
MATCH INFORMATION Date: Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.) Forecast: Clear, 83 degrees Referee: Marco Vega Assistant Referees: Adrienne McDonald, JJ Blodgett Fourth Official: Jason Perlewitz National TV: FS1 Talent: Jenn Hildreth (play-by-play), Kyndra de St. Aubin (analyst)
NWSL WEEK 18 SCHEDULE Saturday, Sept. 10
TIME (PT)
Sky Blue FC at Orlando Pride
4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
TIME (PT)
Chicago Red Stars at FC Kansas City Boston Breakers at Houston Dash Western NY at Portland Thorns FC Washington Spirit at Seattle Reign FC
3 p.m. 4 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
NATIONAL TV
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
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 6:30 p.m. @Sky Blue FC 4 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 FS1 ThornsFC.com
*dates and times subject to change
MATCH DAY PREVIEW
FS1
LAST MATCH RECAP Playing their second home match in four days, Portland Thorns FC defeated the Houston Dash behind a brace from midfielder Allie Long, a goal from forward Christine Sinclair and two assists from midfielder Tobin Heath. Thorns FC opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Heath’s delivery from a free kick found the head of Long, whose looping header found the back of the net. Long notched her brace in the 71st minute after Heath beat her defender and picked out Long, who took a touch and volleyed her left-footed finish home. Sinclair would cap the scoring in the 90th minute after she was first to a loose ball in the box and tapped in her finish from six yards out.
PLAYOFF PICTURE With the 3-0 win over the Dash on Sept. 7, Portland clinched its third playoff berth in four seasons, joining the Washington Spirit as the only other team to clinch a playoff post in the NWSL this season. With a win or a draw against Western New York tonight, Thorns FC will clinch home-field advantage in the semifinals of the 2016 NWSL playoffs.
Playing their third straight game at Providence Park in eight days, Thorns FC play host to the Western New York Flash in the final regular-season outing at home and the second and final match between the two teams this season. With only two games remaining on the schedule, Portland currently sits in second place in the NWSL standings. Thorns FC are four points behind the first place Washington Spirit (39pts) and hold a six-point edge over Western New York (29pts) and the Chicago Red Stars (29pts). Portland is currently riding a three-game winning streak at home dating back to July 30, and have outscored their opponents 20-6 in nine games at Providence Park this season.
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, Thorns FC have 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. Portland has produced record crowds in each season, including Thorns FC’s first sellout of 21,144 fans against Seattle Reign FC on July 22, 2015. Portland equaled that mark for a second time on Aug. 30 against the Washington Spirit. In its first three seasons, Thorns FC have averaged better than 14,038 fans per game.