clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Match Preview: Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride

The Thorns will open the season at home against Orlando Pride.

By Melina.Gaspar
/ new
Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride. Brad Mills. USA Today

Get hyped with us. The Portland Thorns are back.

The perfect matchup?

This game will mark the 4th time the Thorns open a season against Orlando. The previous meetings went all Portland’s way, with 2-1, 2-0, and 2-0 results.

The panorama for these teams couldn’t be more different. The Thorns are the reigning champions while Orlando is trying to rebuild itself after another forgettable season in 2022.

Portland held an 8-0 global result against the Pride across two games (6-0 and 2-0) in 2022 and the odds for the visitors are not looking good since they haven’t won a season opener in their history while the Thorns have won all of them.

So in an answer to our question: this could be the perfect matchup for Portland to start their year strong, and also it could be disastrous for the Pride.

Records to break

Christine Sinclair keeps building her legacy in the NWSL and having scored in the two previous season openers, she could become the first player to score in three matches of this kind.

The same can be said about Sophia Smith. The young goalscorer will be looking forward to having another great year after the amazing 2022 she had.

Oct 29, 2022; Washington, D.C., USA; Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith (9) celebrates scoring a goal against the Kansas City Current in the NWSL championship game at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Washington, D.C., USA; Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Smith (9) celebrates scoring a goal against the Kansas City Current in the NWSL championship game at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

With the year about to start for this team, under a new coach, and with promising rookies included in the roster, there’s a lot to look forward to.

Availability report

In case you missed it, Janine Beckie tore her ACL in pre-season so she will miss the 2023 season. We wish her all the best on her way back to the field.

OUT: Tegan McGrady (Right Thigh), Janine Beckie (SEI - Right Knee)

QUESTIONABLE: Emily Menges (Right Thigh)

When will Menges be healthy again? That said, we have more questions.

What formation will Mike Norris use this afternoon? What will be the starting XI? Will the Pride be able to cut their bad streak when it comes to season openers and cause the upset of the week?

Tell us in the comments below!

The game can be watched on Paramount+ in the US, on TSN in Canada, and on watch.nwslsoccer.com for international fans. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. PT.

More From Stumptown Footy

Loading comments...