:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46857116/GettyImages-179158397.0.jpg)
Last Meeting: 1-0 W, April 18, 2015
Overall Record against WNY: 2-1-3
The Thorns are facing Western New York for the second time this season following their 1-0 win over the Rochester-side back on April 18. Midfielder Allie Long scored the lone goal of the match, heading in a lofted ball from Sinead Farrelly. The result marked Portland’s last win for a run of seven matches.
Portland (3-6-4, 13pts) faces a second-straight road trip and another quick turnaround following their 3-0 loss to Seattle last Sunday. The Thorns are attempting to break a streak of three consecutive games without scoring. On their last visit to Sahlen’s Stadium, the Thorns were held to a 1-1 draw with the home side back on May 3, 2014. Portland has tied both matches played in Rochester during the regular season. They have posted one win on the east coast against Western New York, which came in the inaugural 2013 NWSL Championship match.
Western New York (4-6-3, 15pts) is coming off a 1-0 home loss to the Houston Dash on July 25th, but have regained the services of Whitney Engen and Sydney Leroux from the U.S. Women’s National Team. Western New York is also eager to climb the table and take another shot at the NWSL title. The Flash will host Portland in the final game of the regular season on September 4th.
The Flash are winless in their last four matches and currently hold sixth place in the NWSL, just two points above the Thorns. A win in Rochester would boost the Thorns above the Flash and gain valuable points in a bid to take one of the four playoff berths. Portland is currently five points adrift of fourth place FC Kansas City, but have opportunities to climb the table in a cluttered stretch of games to come. Six of Portland’s final seven games are against clubs currently above them in the standings.