The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves

The Thorns got thumped in Washington, losing 3-1 and lucky to hold it to that. The Spirit is likely to get a long winning streak during the World Cup if they keep this form going. The Thorns got a goal in each net, with Dagny discredited for Washington’s second. No, you don’t get points if you predicted a Dagny goal.

WallofEmilys, with two goal-scorers named, tied for honors with FDChief’s two points for a wild story about executive privilege and ICE-ing the coach. You all stepped up to the challenge: This week’s wild predictions were pretty great across the board!

The next match is Saturday at 3:00, Portland time, as the Thorns return to Piscataway to end the opening road trip. Last time, Carli Lloyd scored two first-half goals, and then Sky Blue conceded two second-half goals to let us slip out of town with a point. This time, Lloyd will not be there.

ROSTER REPORT: The World Cup hammer has come down. All of our internationals are gone for a month or longer, except AMC and Dagny. The squad has no injuries reported as of press time. For Sky Blue, they are missing Lloyd, GK Kailen Sheriden, and Estelle Johnson; also, no new injuries reported. [LATE UPDATE: SBFC are without Dydasco (ankle) and James (excused absence).]

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)

Purce (Unassisted)

McCaskill (PK)

Next, name the first yellow card recipient: First yellow to Celeste Boureille

Then reds, if any. (NOTE: No points awarded for correctly calling a red-card-free match, so take a guess.) Julie James gets sent off for a second intentional handball call. Replays show that neither actually hit her hand.

Make your fun prediction:

It starts pouring rain in second half stoppage time. At the whistle, some Sky Blue players crack out shampoo and lather up, happy to have a shower without waiting in line at the FEMA trailer.

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 Reynolds scores from a Boureille 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.