Stumptown Footy - Coverage Hub: Portland Thorns at Utah RoyalsYou are my sunshine, my only sunshine.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/31537/stumptown-fave.jpg2019-09-06T15:30:00-07:00http://www.stumptownfooty.com/rss/stream/206176902019-09-06T15:30:00-07:002019-09-06T15:30:00-07:00Portland Thorns vs Utah Royals: Previews, How to Watch, Match Thread [6:30]
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<figcaption>Kris Lattimore</figcaption>
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<p id="IG0cpO">After coming off a dominant 3-0 win over the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/chicago-red-stars">Chicago Red Stars</a> which helped enforce a comfortable cushion at the top of the NWSL table, the Portland Thorns now face another tough challenge when they take on fellow playoff contenders <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/utah-royals-fc">Utah Royals FC</a> in Sandy, UT Friday night. </p>
<p id="Jxe2FG">The last time the Thorns and Royals faced off came back on July 19 when both teams drew 2-2 at Rio Tinto Stadium. It was the first game with all international players back from the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> break, and all four goals came courtesy of a returning international (Press and Corsie for Utah, Sinclair and a Sauerbrunn own-goal for Portland). After taking a 2-1 lead in the 87’, the Thorns had to rely on a couple moments of Franch heroics in stoppage-time to preserve a point after Corsie equalized in the 90’.</p>
<p id="3wBT0Q">On the injury front, the Thorns are hit hardest in the midfield with Celeste Boureille (left ankle), and Andressinha (right knee) both listed as “out” in addition to Angela Salem and Gabby Seiler being out for the season after ACL surgeries. The Royals are still missing rightback Kelley O’Hara, but have a fairly clean bill of health otherwise.</p>
<p id="an7kI5">Neither side has a win against the other this season after two attempts, and with Friday being the team’s penultimate road game of the season, bringing home all three road points is a must if the Thorns want to stay in contention for both a home playoff game and the Supporters Shield.</p>
<h2 id="SKlakS">Previews:</h2>
<blockquote><p id="sDMlas">The Thorns have been spectacular in the attack in their past few games, scoring six, four of which were scored in the opening 25 minutes. This has allowed them the luxury of sitting back and waiting for the game to come to them, which should be decent practice for playing a Royals team that have been most comfortable sitting back hitting teams on the break. They’ve even ceded possession to the Reign, a team that gave the Thorns 59% of the ball the last time they played. So Portland will probably see most of the ball. The team’s defense on the counterattack has improved significantly in recent weeks and much of that improvement is down to holding position in midfield. With much of the attacking impetus flowing through <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/255543/meghan-klingenberg"><strong>Meghan Klingenberg</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293438/christine-sinclair"><strong>Christine Sinclair</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293432/tobin-heath">Tobin Heath</a>, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293434/lindsey-horan"><strong>Lindsey Horan</strong></a> and Dagny Brynjarsdottir have had more license to drop back and cover the space in behind. Where last year, Horan took almost every single opportunity to crash the box, she’s been more judicious in attack this year, understanding the threat she brings when she steps up, but also covering in behind more often as well. Mark Parsons was keen to note that Horan’s attacks have opened up space for the rest of the team: “We have more ways to stop teams, we have more ways to attack teams [...] she has more support now, and she’s getting double and triple teamed”, but there’s no doubt that she is in some sense stepping back to allow her teammates to shine.</p></blockquote>
<h2 id="QzQUdS">How to Watch</h2>
<p id="jmIpgl"><strong>How to watch:</strong> Yahoo Sports in the US; check your local listings at <a href="http://NWSLSoccer.com">NWSLSoccer.com</a> for international viewers.</p>
<p id="921HEL"><strong>Where:</strong> Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, UT</p>
<p id="nhEmYs"><strong>When:</strong> Friday, September 6, 6:30 p.m (Pacific)</p>
<p id="ykMYFn"><strong>Portland Thorns:</strong> 10-6-3, first place in the NWSL, won 3-0 vs Chicago Red Stars</p>
<p id="gybRzi"><strong>Utah Royals:</strong> 8-4-6, fourth place in the NWSL, drew 0-0 vs <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/washington-spirit">Washington Spirit</a></p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/portland-women/2019/9/6/20851393/portland-thorns-vs-utah-royals-previews-how-to-watch-match-thread-6-30Kyle Pinnell2019-09-06T10:00:00-07:002019-09-06T10:00:00-07:00Storylines: Portland Thorns at Utah Royals
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<p>The Thorns go to the home of a team making a major late season playoff push with big implications on the line.</p> <p id="PEAPgn">The Portland Thorns (10-3-6) come back from the international break to take on the surging Utah Royals (8-6-4) in their second to last road game of the year and their third and final game against each other this year. The teams have drawn both of their previous meetings this year, both of which came in the broad <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup">World Cup</a> period. Their last meeting, a wild 2-2 game with two goals in the last three minutes of play, was the last time this season that the Thorns played five at the back, and the last before <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293432/tobin-heath">Tobin Heath</a> returned to full time starting duty after coming back from the World Cup.</p>
<p id="8TD9zN">Not too long ago the Royals were on the outside of the playoff race looking in, but they’re now undefeated in four and in fourth place after some impressive performances from Christen Press in recent weeks. However, other than a 3-1 dismantling of a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/reign-fc">Reign FC</a> team at the end of a rough schedule patch, their big wins in this period have come against Orlando and Sky Blue, so they still have much to prove as they attempt to demonstrate their playoff credentials.</p>
<h3 id="GYqPvd">Projected XI</h3>
<p id="1iQTMQ">Last time they played the Thorns put no central midfielders on their bench, having lost four to injury. Angela Salem and Gabby Seiler aren’t coming back from their ACL recoveries anytime soon, and Celeste Boureille and Andressinha are still listed as out, so don’t expect much to change this week.</p>
<p id="7wqaZo">Indeed, all of the starting XI looks pretty set in stone here at this point in the season. Barring injury, a dramatic change in form or some midweek rotation in the next match there isn’t much chance of anything getting shuffled from until the season wraps.</p>
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<h3 id="ctZFyw">Gameplan</h3>
<p id="P76CGA">The Thorns have been spectacular in the attack in their past few games, scoring six, four of which were scored in the opening 25 minutes. This has allowed them the luxury of sitting back and waiting for the game to come to them, which should be decent practice for playing a Royals team that have been most comfortable sitting back hitting teams on the break. They’ve even ceded possession to the Reign, a team that gave the Thorns 59% of the ball the last time they played.</p>
<p id="5tfITS">So Portland will probably see most of the ball. The team’s defense on the counterattack has improved significantly in recent weeks and much of that improvement is down to holding position in midfield. With much of the attacking impetus flowing through <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/255543/meghan-klingenberg">Meghan Klingenberg</a>, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293438/christine-sinclair">Christine Sinclair</a> and Tobin Heath, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293434/lindsey-horan">Lindsey Horan</a> and Dagny Brynjarsdottir have had more license to drop back and cover the space in behind. Where last year, Horan took almost every single opportunity to crash the box, she’s been more judicious in attack this year, understanding the threat she brings when she steps up, but also covering in behind more often as well. Mark Parsons was keen to note that Horan’s attacks have opened up space for the rest of the team: “We have more ways to stop teams, we have more ways to attack teams [...] she has more support now, and she’s getting double and triple teamed”, but there’s no doubt that she is in some sense stepping back to allow her teammates to shine.</p>
<p id="smivNz">In that loss to the Reign a month ago, the Thorns had trouble breaking down Tacoma’s set defense, and ended up feeding the ball to <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293437/hayley-raso">Hayley Raso</a> to get their only attacking penetration. The Reign were able to pull this off by cutting off the aforementioned attacking flow. Utah have proven they can be destructive from the front, and their central defensive pairing might be the best in the league. It’s the right side that is going to cause them issues: Heath and Sinclair have had no problem getting around Desiree Scott and whoever Utah shift over to cover that side. It’s Utah’s success that is putting them at disadvantage: with Amy Rodriguez and Christen Press both in hot form, it makes sense for them to pair up top, but unfortunately means that neither get the chance much covering work on the wings. Someone in their defensive formation is likely to get sucked over, which opens up space on the Thorns right wing.</p>
<p id="EM0L2Q">From there, Hayley Raso is going to spend a lot of time isolated on her former teammate Mallory Weber, who the Royals have moved to a left back full time since being released by the Thorns early in the year. Raso has a strong track record of punishing teams who have left her with space this year, so expect her to thrive in the matchup. Becky Sauerbrunn is going to have her hands full shepherding her defense against a Thorns team hitting its full flow.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/9/6/20851707/storylines-portland-thorns-at-utah-royalsTyler Nguyen2019-09-04T18:30:00-07:002019-09-04T18:30:00-07:00The Thorns Prediction Game: Reading the PTFC Leaves
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<figcaption>Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Royal PITA</p> <p id="WUyzvt">The Red Stars’ Portland curse continues as they were thoroughly beaten 3-0 on Sunday. The Thorns remain in first place and in control of the Shield race.</p>
<p id="m2QIdA">Everyone predicted a win, so points for all. This week’s honors go to One.Goal.Beyond, the only player to get the exact scoreline correct. For the second week running johnmclarke3 had the most rec’d wild prediction, this time about a resurrected pearl-clutcher getting his comeuppance.</p>
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<p id="weWTak">Next up is the team’s last match outside Cascadia and above sea level as the Thorns visit Salt Lake City. The Royals have been muddling along in the final playoff position. They’ve had trouble scoring goals this season but had two recent 3-goal performances, albeit followed by a scoreless draw. With the stingiest defense in the league, Utah has held Portland to draws in both prior meetings.</p>
<p id="4nTQBE">ROSTER REPORT: Who knows? After the long layoff, hopefully all the non-SEI players will be available for both squads.</p>
<p id="h0mIRB"><strong>How this works:</strong></p>
<p id="zBxcHy">Add a comment to this post. In the comment title put your predicted result, for example <strong>3-1 Thorns.</strong></p>
<p id="v0z0YM">In the body of your comment, start with the goals and assists, like so:</p>
<p id="hXZubN"><strong>Lussi (Klingenberg)</strong></p>
<p id="hmhyvO"><strong>AMC (Free kick)</strong></p>
<p id="LHdB58"><strong>Purce (Unassisted)</strong></p>
<p id="yIL60p"><strong>Press (PK)</strong></p>
<p id="cPxNhL">Next, name the first yellow card recipient: <strong>First yellow to Dagny.</strong></p>
<p id="XtlqjW">Then reds, if any. (NOTE: no points awarded for correctly calling a red-card-free match, so take a guess.) <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/285633/rachel-corsie"><strong>Rachel Corsie</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
<p id="w79c7L">Make your fun prediction: <strong>Becky Sauerbrunn takes a shot on goal! And it’s a golazo! Except AD Franch makes the save-of-the-year! Robbing Sauerbrunn of her first professional goal! The Royals huddle up and cry.</strong></p>
<p id="QDBcJo">Lastly, please <strong>recommend</strong> one of the other players’ fun prediction.</p>
<p id="7SKEaK"><strong>Scoring:</strong></p>
<p id="1RVNtO">· Correct score: 5 points</p>
<p id="Vr3YqQ">· Correct result (draw/win/loss): 3 points</p>
<p id="NhfM4w">· Each clean sheet: 2 points</p>
<p id="t5nElm">· Each goal-scorer: 1 point</p>
<p id="Ylh7Bi">· Each FK/PK/assist/lack of assist: 1 point</p>
<p id="KcrGzK">· Goal/assist bonus: 1 point</p>
<p id="OGrMxQ">· Player with the first yellow card of the match: 1 point</p>
<p id="eOP6mo">· Each player with a red card: 1 point (Cannot earn points for predicting 0 red cards)</p>
<p id="L0bY2F">· Most recommended/most outrageously accurate prediction: 2 points</p>
<p id="xmPmY3"><strong>Some ground rules and explanations/clarifications (the fine print):</strong></p>
<p id="7LlJXf"><em>Comments must be posted before kickoff</em>, but you can edit or amend an earlier prediction right up to the starting whistle.</p>
<p id="vebJFh"><em>Keep your scoreline predictions realistic.</em> No crazy scores just to pad out your odds of getting goals and assists.</p>
<p id="ZrJm3g"><em>The goal/assist bonus</em> 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!</p>
<p id="LBf3P4"><em>Be clear whether you think a goal will be unassisted, assisted, or from a PK/FK.</em> 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.</p>
<p id="eux9z7">Have fun, tell your friends, let me know if you have any questions or if I screw up your score.</p>
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2019/9/4/20833547/the-thorns-prediction-game-reading-the-ptfc-leaves-baonpdx-nwslRichard Hamje