The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves

The Reign continued their 2019 dominance of the Thorns on Wednesday, winning 1-0 for the second time this season. The game was a sloppy affair, and the Thorns looked toothless throughout, never mounting much of a threat.

This was the lowest-scoring match in the history of our little game by a fair margin. FDChief called the loss for three points, Johnmclarke3 got two points for the most rec’d fable of a posing context, and Calafia called the first yellow card recipient for one point.

Next up is the biggest match of the year so far: The Courage come calling at noon on Sunday for a six-point match that is likely to see a new NWSL regular-season record crowd. The winner will be in the lead for the Shield race; the loser will see a home playoff match in jeopardy.

ROSTER REPORT: As of the August 7 injury report, Ellie Carpenter is out for the Thorns, while the Courage are full strength.

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)

McDonald (PK)

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

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

Make your fun prediction: The referee’s guide dog slips his leash and runs onto the pitch, blocking a Thorns shot on goal. The booing is so loud that windows break in the MAC.

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. P.S. 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.