NWSL Match Preview: Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars
Following consecutive home victories to open the 2015 NWSL season, Portland Thorns FC travel to Lisle, Ill., to play their first road match of the 2015 campaign against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
For the first time in club history Portland won its first two matches to open the season. The Thorns (2-0-0, 6pts) recorded a 1-0 shutout victory against the Western New York Flash on April 18. Midfielder Allie Long tallied the game-winning goal in the 22nd minute of the match, while goalkeeper Nadine Angerer earned a clean sheet, making two saves. The goal was Long’s third in the last two matches, while midfielder Sinead Farrelly picked up the assist, the first of Farrelly’s Thorns FC and NWSL career. Additionally, Canada Women’s National Team midfielder Kaylyn Kyle and defender Rhian Wilkinson made their Thorns FC debuts in the match, while forward Christine Sinclair came on as a second-half substitute, making her season debut. All three will depart after Saturday’s game to join their national team in preparation for the World Cup in June.
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Saturday will mark the eighth meeting all-time between Thorns FC and the Red Stars. The two teams have played to four consecutive draws in the series, including back-to-back, 1-1 ties just nine days apart on July 9 and July 17 during the 2014 season in Lisle. Portland is 2-1-4 all-time against Chicago with a record of 2-0-2 in road matches.
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The Thorns FC enter the match against the Red Stars as the NWSL’s only remaining unbeaten team and are one of only three teams that have allowed just one goal through their first two matches. In terms of individual leaders, Long ranks among the league leaders in goals (3) and for the second straight season has scored in consecutive matches to open the regular season. Since 2013, Long has scored six goals in eight matches during the month of April and has scored in five straight matches during the month of April, dating back to the 2014 season. As a team, Thorns FC are unbeaten in April (6-0-2) since 2013. In eight April matches, Portland has outscored its opponents 15-5 and registered three shutouts. For the Thorns, April is anything but a cruel month.
Meanwhile, the Red Stars (1-0-0, 3pts) opened their 2015 NWSL season on April 18, earning a thrilling 3-2, stoppage-time victory against Seattle Reign FC . Forward Christen Press registered a brace, including the game-winning goal in the 91st minute, which earned her NWSL Player of the Week honors. Seattle twice took the lead and both times Chicago rallied to tie before Press netted the game winner. Four of the five goals were scored in the first 35 minutes of the furious match as forward Jen Hoy also tallied a goal for the Red Stars. Along with Press, Chicago features three other USWNT players set to appear at the Women’s World Cup, including 2014 NWSL Rookie of the Year, defender Julie Johnston, and veteran midfielders Shannon Boxx and Lori Chalupny. New Zealand international Abby Erceg helps anchor Chicago’s backline, while a pair of rookies are set to play significant minutes this season, forward Sofia Huerta and midfielder Danielle Colaprico. Both started and played 90 minutes in Chicago’s season-opening victory. Colaprico will be counted upon heavily to ease the loss of the superb Johnston.
Coming off an emotional victory against Seattle, I think Chicago will be prime for a letdown. The Thorns simply own April and before their stars depart, they will win this one 3-1.