The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves

Tacoma came to town and stole three points as their first shot on goal went in. The Thorns were disorganized throughout, with less than 70 percent pass completion and 23 crosses but only one shot on target. Perhaps this is credit to Tacoma’s defense — aside from the last two minutes of the first half, the Thorns never looked particularly dangerous.

The 0-1 result was a disaster for our players, as everybody expected the Thorns to dominate the decimated Reign. Thanks to the bonus attendance point, everyone did get something, though. FDChief, with the most rec’d tale of mascot street battles, took top honors with three of a possible 19 points.

Orlando brings their terrible road record to Portland next Sunday at noon; the first match of the season to be on national TV (ESPNews). Hopefully the Thorns will not be taking anything for granted this time. This will be the midpoint in the season, so there’s still a long way to go — most of it at home for the Thorns.

ROSTER REPORT: The World Cup is over, but we don’t yet know when the USA nationals will return. As of June 11, all USWNT players were still on national team duty per the NWSL injury report.

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)

Marta (PK)

Next, name the first yellow card recipient: First yellow to Dagny.

Then reds, if any. (NOTE: No points awarded for correctly calling a red-card-free match, so take a guess.) Carson Pickett.

Make your fun prediction: Brunch time! The $5 mimosas sell out in 15 minutes.

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 (No 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. PS: If you say exactly that, and it happens, I will hunt you down and buy you a beer!

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.