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Overall Record Against Boston: 3-5
Last Meeting: 1-0 L @ BOS
The Portland Thorns have a busy August ahead of them, starting with another set of three games within a week, starting with Wednesday night’s match against the Boston Breakers. Portland has five games scheduled for August, with just one on September 4th before the playoffs begin. The Thorns are currently in seventh place in the NWSL, just four points off fourth place and the final playoff berth with 18 points left to play for.
The Thorns (4-6-4, 16pts) are coming off a vital 2-0 road win over the Western New York Flash last Wednesday. Forward Christine Sinclair tallied a goal in the first half before midfielder Allie Long sealed the points late in the game with her sixth goal of the season off a pass from Sinclair. Forward Ayo Añonma registered her first NWSL assist on the opening goal, while Sinclair also got her first assist of the season.
Boston (3-9-3, 12pts) fell 2-1 to Seattle Reign FC on Saturday and face a quick turnaround with a long cross-country flight. The Breakers have not won in eight games, but have only lost by multiple goals twice in that span. However, the Breakers will not have fond memories of their last visit to Providence Park where the Thorns opened their 2015 season with a 4-1 win over Boston. Long tallied a brace, while Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly also scored for Portland. Boston forward Stephanie McCaffrey scored one of her three goals this season that night.
Wednesday’s match could prove a tiebreaker in the 2015 series between Boston and Portland as the teams are 1-1 against each other this season. When the Thorns visited the Breakers back on May 16, a Boston goal in second-half stoppage time broke Portland hearts. However, adding to their recent winless streak, Boston is winless on the road this season at 0-4-2 and Portland has never lost to the Breakers at Providence Park with a record of 2-1-0.
Portland will face another quick turnaround with a second-straight home game Sunday when the Chicago Red Stars visit the Rose City. Then Portland will jet off to FC Kansas City for another crucial road match next Wednesday, August 12th.
A special broadcast note for Wednesday’s game: Wednesday’s match will feature a web stream broadcast on www.FOXSportsGO.com and on mobile devices via the FOX Sports Go app.