The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves

After committing some serious defensive mistakes, the Thorns settled down and got back to two goals they had shipped to start the match. The resulting 2-2 draw was a huge lift for Sky Blue — and major bummer for Thorns and Riveters alike.

Nobody predicted a draw which, on paper, was a laughable outcome. Honors go to johnmclarke3, who predicted a Heath self-assist for three points. The wild bonus nod goes to Constant Weeder, who tied WallofEmilys with 2 rec’s, but whose prediction included an inside-joke meme of the Sky Blue coach’s hatred of whiteboard markers.

The next match is Saturday at 4:30 Portland time, as the Thorns make a second visit to the Orlando Pride. The first meeting was a 2-0 win for Portland with both teams at full strength. Since then, Orlando got embarrassed 5-0 at North Carolina, drew in Tacoma 1-1, were shut out at Utah 1-0, and then went to Houston and again lost 1-0. The Pride are the only team in the league yet to have a bye week (their first is after our match). They have one point and one goal scored to date. And now their star striker and starting goalkeeper are gone for World Cup prep.

INJURY REPORT: The Thorns are at full health — even Emily Menges is expected to be available! Hayley Raso and Andressinha are back, but may not feature. For Orlando, Toni Pressley remains out with a leg injury.

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)

Carpenter (Unassisted)

Marta (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.) Marta forgets she already had a yellow and takes off her shirt after scoring the PK.

Make your fun prediction:

The first paper bag masks appear in the stands.

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 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.