Would you look at that! It’s time for some Portland Thorns football!

This will be a match that will be Tobin Heath-less, as she signed with Manchester United. But that’s okay. There are still plenty of options for the Thorns and, while it is a bit of a hole in the lineup, I fully believe players will step up to fill the gap.

Today’s match marks Portland’s first match at home since Oct. 12, 2019. Under head coach Mark Parsons, Thorns FC have posted a record of 31-7-8 in regular-season matches at Providence Park. Portland and Utah square off today for the seventh time across all competitions. Thorns FC lead the all-time series with a record of 2-1-3, including a mark of 2-0-1 in home matches.

While the Thorns will be missing Heath, the Royals have problems of their own. Royals veterans Desiree Scott, Diana Matheson, and Kelley O’Hara have all opted out of the of the NWSL Fall Series. This will also that first time that former Royal’s captain Becky Sauerbrunn faces her former team.

Starting Lineups

Portland Thorns

Utah Royals

Location: Providence Park, Portland OR
Kick-off time: 12:00 Pacific / 3:00 Eastern
TV broadcast: NWSL Twitch Channel
Rival SB Nation site: RSL Soapbox

Join us in the match thread! Rose City ‘til I Die!