Fox Soccer to Broadcast NWSL Games; Portland Thorns FC Get Two

It looks like, at least for a couple games, Thorns fans won't have to worry so much about whether or not a streamed game will continually cut in and out during a game. In a deal announced yesterday, the league will have select games aired nationally via Fox Soccer. Those who were around for the old WPS league will remember a similar deal between the two sides so this is perhaps not abnormal.

Two of the Portland Thorns' home games will be aired. They are:

• Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars - 7/28 at 4:00 pm
• Portland Thorns FC vs. FC Kansas City - 8/4 at 5:30 pm

Both of those games were originally scheduled at different times, but were adjusted for the TV package. If you have them listed in your calendars you might want to check to make sure everything was updated properly.

One odd issue I have with this is the lack of a Thorns vs. Seattle Reign match up. Seemed like a natural choice to market a nationally broadcast game. It's is undoubtedly due to the fact that the only match between the two comes Saturday, August 17th at 8:00 pm... the exact time that the Portland Timbers are playing a home match against FC Dallas. An unfortunate missed opportunity.

What do you think about the NWSL getting a national TV package?

Full press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. - The National Women's Soccer League and FOX Sports Media Group announced today a national television broadcast schedule consisting of six regular-season matches and three playoff games. Portland Thorns FC are featured in consecutive weeks on national FOX Soccer broadcasts in regular-season home matches on Sunday, July 28, against the Chicago Red Stars and Sunday, Aug. 4, against FC Kansas City at JELD-WEN Field.

Due to the national broadcast on FOX Soccer, the start time for both Thorns FC home games at JELD-WEN Field on July 28 and Aug. 4 have been moved.

The Thorns FC match against the Chicago Red Stars on July 28 has been moved to 4 p.m. (Pacific), instead of the originally scheduled 2 p.m. (Pacific).

As part of a doubleheader at JELD-WEN Field on Aug. 4, Thorns FC play host to FC Kansas City in their regular-season home finale. The match against FC Kansas City has been moved to 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). Due to the Thorns FC kickoff time for national television coverage, the Portland Timbers Reserves match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Reserves will now kickoff at 2 p.m. (Pacific) in the first game of the doubleheader.

Tickets for either game of the Aug. 4 doubleheader are valid for entry into both matches. Tickets are still available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at www.portlandthornsfc.com.

FOX Soccer will broadcast one game per week for the final six weeks of the regular season beginning on Sunday, July 14, as Seattle Reign FC play host to the Washington Spirit at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

2013 NWSL National Television Schedule*