Match Preview: Portland Thorns @ Orlando Pride - Biggest Match in NWSL History?
The Orlando Pride (W7) and Portland Thorns (W6) are on historic win streaks. Can Orlando break the NWSL record or will Portland tie it?
The match between Portland Thorns (W6) and Orlando Pride (W7) will be the first meeting in NWSL history between two teams on four or more game win streaks (Opta).
Orlando Pride head coach, Seb Hines, has completely turned the club around. In the entire history of their side, they’ve only made the playoffs once. The Pride are now undefeated through 10 games and looking to set another NWSL record by winning eight straight.
Portland has found renewed hope through Rob Gale - who has inspired us all with his recovery, joy, and fun he has brought to the club. He has also credited: Sarah Lowdon, Vytas, Jordan Franken, and all of the staff for their contributions through it all. No coach has ever started with six consecutive wins, except Gale. The team looks to make history as the third team to ever reach the mark of seven straight victories.
Both teams cannot walk out with their win streak intact.
Injury Report:
OUT: Gabby Provenzano (SEI), Bella Bixby (ML) Morgan Weaver (D45) QUESTIONABLE: Sophia Smith (leg)
OUT: Angelina (knee), Celia (hip), Summer Yates (illness) SEI: Simone Charley, Luana, Megan Montefusco, Viviana Villacorta
Projected Starting XI
Hogan
Payne - Hubly - Sauerbrunn - Müller
Fleming - Coffey - Sugita
Beckie - Dias - Linnehan
Rob Gale has rotated his lineup in every single match he has managed this season and I expect nothing less for this game as well. Payne is the best defensive fullback on the team and will be crucial in trying to slow down Orlando. Fleming should be fully healthy and ready to go with Olivia Moultrie ready to go as well. The Portland Thorns will need to press and they’ll have to put their best defensive frontline out there - Janine Beckie, Ana Dias, and Payton Linnehan. The team has been very cautious with injuries all season and I expect them to either rest Soph Smith or have her available off the bench. If they go down a goal, expect Reyna Reyes, Liv Moultrie, and Sincy to come on to try to salvage a resultt.
Player to Watch
Barbra Banda - One of the best players in the world. In six matches - six goals and two assists. It’s a two-player race for the golden boot between Banda and Smith. No player has ever started their NWSL run like Banda.
Stumptown Footy’s Corner
This game will come down to Nicole Payne and Kelli Hubly slowing down Barbra Banda. Hines will likely direct the attack at the newest partnership between Portland’s right side. The 2022 Iron Woman, has stepped up in Isabella Obaze’s absence and has a chance to solidify her return to form with a solid performance here.
Soph Smith’s potential absence hurts the Thorns, in the biggest way. With Morgan Weaver also out, the team will need to rely on it’s depth. If Christine Sinclair starts, she will need to get on the ball as much as possible to find their speedy wingers. Portland needs to avoid allowing Orlando to on their counters as much as possible.
If Orlando has one weakness, it’s their lack of pace on their right side with Emily Sams (Madril) and Rafaelle Souza. If Payton Linnehan and Janine Beckie can get the ball in space, expect them to create some opportunities.
If Smith is unavailable, it’s tough to see Portland leaving with a result. However, even if she is available for a late game boost, it will make a difference.
Make no mistake, this match is going to be the most high-stakes regular season game in league history.
Prediction: 1-1
This isn't even the most important NWSL match this season, let alone in league history. Today's match is going to be shaped by weather and injury conditions that won't be in effect come November.
Now... I would say the most important match in league history was September 11, 2019, because it was supposed to be a preview of the expected Championship trilogy -- NC v Portland. We beat them for the Championship in 2017, they beat us for the Championship in 2018, and the bad blood went back to the Marco Vega screwjob/2016 semifinal against Riley's Western NY side at Providence Park.
At that point in 2019, we were atop the table by 2 points, with NC in 2nd, 36-34.
What actually happened? The Courage destroyed Portland 0-6 at Providence Park.
That match was the exclamation mark to NC's reign of terror (which Portland ended in the 2020 Challenge Cup), a brutal call-back to the 0-3 beatdown at Providence Park in the 2018 Championship, and payback for the Thorns' fluky 2-1 win at Providence Park on two Courage own-goals just one month earlier.
I stayed for the entire 0-6 defeat, sitting right behind the goal for 3 of NC's 6 on the night. It was like nothing I've ever seen before or since. Just complete and utter unraveling by a collection of elite athletes, getting up in their heads, getting pissed off, quitting on their teammates, you name it. It was bad.
In sum, when we were at full strength they ripped out our heart, showed it to us, then scored 3 more times. (Well, full strength minus Sonnett, who picked up a stupid red in the previous match, against Utah, the night when Becky scored against us).
Here's the match recap: https://fbref.com/en/matches/fdd56674/Portland-Thorns-FC-North-Carolina-Courage-September-11-2019-NWSL
That match, and the whole "Black Autumn" collapse, as Chief has called it, kicked off what he dubbed "The Rebuildening."
We scored 1 goal and picked up 4 points in our last 5 matches, finishing 3rd on 40 points.
Chicago went screaming past us, scoring 12 goals and picking up 15 points in their last 5 matches, the final days of Kerr's illustrious NWSL career. Chicago finished 2nd on 44 points.
Meanwhile, the Courage were a wrecking crew from late-June onward, winning 13 matches and losing only 3 (including 2-1 losses to Chicago and Washington, and our fluky win), no draws. Three nights after eviscerating us, they went home and beat Orlando 6-1. They won the Shield on 49 points, and they're still the only team in league history to win both the Shield and the Championship in the same season, doing it in 2018 and 2019. God they were terrifying!
So, with all due respect, Orlando actually need to win something before they become eligible for "biggest match in league history" status.
I’ll be fine with a scoreless draw. Hines’ attackers scare the living shit out of me. While our team defense has looked better under Gale we still give opponents their looks and unlike Houston and Seattle Orlando will sink their putts. So limiting those chances will be key.
I wish I had more confidence in Fleming.