CONCACAF W Champions Cup: Portland Thorns vs Club América | Preview & Match Thread
Can the Portland Thorns shake off their NWSL struggles & regain form for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup? The winner of this tournament will receive a spot in the first ever FIFA Women's Club World Cup.
What: Portland Thorns vs Club América
When: 7pm
Where: Providence Park
Streaming/TV: CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo, Paramount +
The Portland Thorns are kicking off the inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup against Club América. The tournament winner will receive the guaranteed spot into first ever, FIFA Club Women’s World Cup. This is the first step in determining the number one football club in the world. One of the biggest goals for governors Lisa Bhathal Merage & Alex Bhathal is to be best. This tournament needs to be the biggest priority for the club with an opportunity to prove it on the line.
Can the Thorns shake off their poor form and get it right for this massive tournament? Club América is coming off a 7-0 thrashing at home against the Vancouver Whitecaps on August 21.
Their opposition is flushed with talent. They have two Spanish internationals in Sandra Paños & Irene Guerrero. Club América also has many Mexico internationals: Scarlett Camberos, Kiana Palacios, Kimberly Rodríguez, Nicolette Hernández, Karen Luna, Jocelyn Orejel, and many young & rising stars. Although they are currently eighth in the Liga MX Femenil table, expect them to rise after the slow start to the season. They are a bit dinged up, and struggling to find the net. However, all it takes is one game to regain confidence.
With the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout stages (semifinals), the Portland Thorns need to shake off their recent post-Olympics form and take advantage of their home matches. Since returning to play, they went on the road at NJ/NY Gotham FC and lost 0-2 and following it up with horrific 1-3 loss at home to Bay FC on Friday. They’ve lost their last two matches by two goals.
The Portland Thorns are on short rest and are in a stretch of three matches in eight days. They travel to face the Washington Spirit on Saturday as well.
Rob Gale did not include Becky Sauerbrunn or Marie Müller in the starting XI in the last match — expect them back for this one. If the head coach decides to rotate too much it could be detrimental to their chances of this once in a lifetime opportunity. This team is not particularly deep and face a huge conundrum this week.
Can the Portland Thorns finish top two in the group?
Projected Starting XI
Portland is expected to rotate quite a bit. Rob Gale has mentioned how the training & coaching staff want to make sure the players are ready to go. This starting XI would not be ideal against a talented team like Club América, so I could see him starting Jessie Fleming for a half. Expect Portland to bring on Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie, Soph Smith, Alexa Spaanstra, Kelli Hubly, Reyna Reyes, and/or Nicole Payne for limited minutes.
I don’t expect many changes for Club América from their first CONCACAF W Champions Cup match. They are going to be formidable challenge. They just played a match on Sunday so it will be interesting to see how much rotation they’ll have to do as well.
Is this a must-win match for Portland Thorns? Can they afford anything other than three points? Enjoy the game with the STF community below in the comments!
Thorns midfield has no idea where to be- It’s way too easy for CA to find pockets. Sitting right behind the Thorns bench and Muller and Coffey are noticeably frustrated with Moultrie and OWK for getting lost so often.
EHHHH, LET'S GO, SINC.
(Yes, I'm feeling the Canadian side of my dual nat today lol)