The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves – Matchday 22

Well, that was an exciting match with Chicago! Unhappily, the draw means that once again the Thorns have not advanced their claim to second place. None of our players predicted a draw, yet everyone got some points. Ted Servata again takes the week’s honors with six of a possible 21 points to move into third place. It’s tight at the top! The middle-of-the-pack position is now held by Robboss. Two players had wild predictions with two rec’s – Ted gets the nod for his tale of donut lethargy.

The next game is Sky Blue and a draw simply will not do. If the Thorns win, and if Seattle fails to win against North Carolina, and if Chicago beats Orlando – then the Thorns are guaranteed a playoff spot and will once again be in position to finish second. And all three of those “ifs” seem probable. Sky Blue gave up a two-goal lead in Utah after a long weather delay, so they will be unhappy about missing out on their first win of the year. Do the Thorns pile on their misery? [UPDATE: Sky Blue is missing Rebekah Stott; Mandy Freeman and McKenzie Meehan are listed a questionable for New Jersey. None of these three started in their last match. The Thorns are without Morris and Reynolds with SEI. ]

How this works:

Add a comment to this post. In the comment title put your predicted result, for example 3-1 Thorns.

In the body of your comment, start with the goals and assists, like so:

Lussi (Klingenberg)

AMC (Free kick)

Heath (Unassisted)

McCaskill (PK)

Next, name the first yellow card recipient: First yellow to Killian

Then reds, if any. (NOTE: no points awarded for correctly calling a red-card-free match, so take a guess.) Hoy gets sent off for pulling Lussi down by the ponytail.

Make your fun prediction:

After reading about Portland’s sanctuary city status, three of the Sky Blue players apply for asylum after the match.

Lastly, please recommend one of the other players’ fun prediction.

Scoring:

· Correct score: 5 points

· Correct result (draw/win/loss): 3 points

· Each clean sheet: 2 points

· Each goal-scorer: 1 point

· Each FK/PK/assist/lack of assist: 1 point

· Goal/assist bonus: 1 point

· Player with the first yellow card of the match: 1 point

· Each player with a red card: 1 point (Cannot earn points for predicting 0 red cards)

· Most recommended/most outrageously accurate prediction: 2 points

Some ground rules and explanations/clarifications (the fine print):

Comments must be posted before kickoff, but you can edit or amend an earlier prediction right up to the starting whistle.

Keep your scoreline predictions realistic. No crazy scores just to pad out your odds of getting goals and assists.

The goal/assist bonus is an additional point if you predict the correct scorer and assistant on the same goal, for example, you say Onumonu scores from an Horan assist and that is exactly what happens.

Be clear whether you think a goal will be unassisted, assisted, or from a PK/FK. Unassisted = no assist, run of play; Assisted = player who got the assist; PK/FK = not in run of play. For the purposes of this thread, Penalty Kick and Free Kick are the same thing. No entry means unassisted.

Have fun, tell your friends, let me know if you have any questions or if I screw up your score.