Thorns at Washington Spirit: Previews, how to watch, match thread [5:00]

The Portland Thorns head out to the nation’s capital to play the inaugural women’s soccer match against the Washington Spirit in the newly opened Audi Field. The Spirit aren’t the worst team by points total in the league, but they’re sure playing like it, and are just two weeks off firing their coach of nearly three years, Jim Gabarra. Their players will be playing for their careers under a new coach, where Portland will be hoping to keep themselves in contention to secure a home playoff spot.

Previews

Storylines: “The key for the Thorns here is a boring truism: Despite Washington Spirit’s miserable form, they can’t get complacent and will still have to defend for 90 minutes. If there’s anyone on this Spirit team who looks, right now, capable of causing problems, it’s probably Rose Lavelle and Mallory Pugh, who each nearly got in on goal a couple times against the Royals; Celeste Boureille and Lindsey Horan will have an important job controlling play deep in the midfield to keep those two in check.”

Red Smoke Radio also previewed the game.

How to Watch

How to watch: ESPNews, NWSLSoccer.com for international viewers

Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

When: Saturday, August 25 at 5:00 pm PT

Portland Thorns: 10-6-6, third in the NWSL, 2-1 win vs Sky Blue FC

Washington Spirit: 2-4-16, eighth in the NWSL, 0-1 loss vs Utah Royals