Portland Thorns at Sky Blue FC: Preview, how to watch, match thread [4:00]

The Portland Thorns (7-5-5) travel across the country without their US Women’s National Team players to play at the home of Sky Blue FC (0-3-12). The Thorns drew against Sky Blue FC on their last meeting, but no team has dropped more than two points to Sky Blue so far this season. Both Chicago and North Carolina managed to get players hat tricks while playing at Yurcak Field: the pitch there is quite large and lends itself well to fast, attacking soccer.

Storylines

“This is a good opportunity for the Thorns to prove that they are who they are without their stars. Klingenberg led the team in assists last year but has become more of a secondary attacking option this year, and this would be a good game for her to be the one breaking lines and driving in low crosses. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic is on a bit of a hot streak, having scored in her last two games, and is combining well with Hayley Raso, the player she switches with regularly. It’s an important chance for Crnogorcevic to dominate the team she missed several good chances against before. Eventually the Thorns are going to face another team that will force them to cross the ball instead of just torching them by cutting inside. Sky Blue, probably, are not that team.”

Match Information

How to watch: go90 (USA), NWSLsoccer.com (international)

Where: Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ

When: Saturday, July 21st at 4 p.m. PT

Portland Thorns: 7-5-5, fifth in the NWSL, won 3-1 vs Houston Dash

Sky Blue FC: 0-12-3, 9th in the NWSL, lost 0-4 vs North Carolina Courage