Match Preview: Portland Thorns vs Washington Spirit
The Thorns hit the road to take on the Spirit in DC
So far this season the Portland Thorns have taken on the Spirit once, and they beat them 4-2 at home.
After last week's meetup against the North Carolina Courage, the Thorns have reclaimed their spot at the top of the table. Washington is currently fourth overall (only separated from the top by three points).
The Thorns travel to Washington DC where they will play at 2 p.m. PT. The match will be streamed on Paramount+.
After the last match Kelli Hubly won’t be able to play in this one due to her red card, but other than that all the Thorns are back. Hina Sugita and Crystal Dunn may not start but we very well could see them take to the pitch for the first time since the World Cup.
It will also be Portland’s second matchup against Mark Parsons since he returned to the league… and I.m sure he’ll be looking to get a little revenge against his former team.
Players to look out for:
Washington Spirit
Forward Ashley Sanchez has returned to the league after her time with the US at the World Cup, and she has scored in her last four regular-season appearances for the Spirit.
Trinity Rodman and Andi Sullivan are also back from their stint with the USWNT, as well as goalie Aubrey Kingsbury.
Aside from US players they also play host to Tori Huster and Ashley Hatch who's currently second in the running for Golden Boot (behind Portland’s very own Sophia Smith)
Portland Thorns
Smith smashed her way back into the Thorns lineup after scoring the game-winning goal a minute after being subbed on against NC Courage. Morgan Weaver has been so solid for the thorns, especially during the World Cup.
Weaver and Smith are two of the three NWSL players with at least 15 goals and eight assists in all competitions, the other being San Diego forward Alex Morgan.
Hannah Betfort tallied the equalizer against the Courage last week with a wonderful goal, and she’s really coming into herself as a player for the Thorns. Look for her to make a difference as well.
Media Credit: Thorns FC
Predicted lineups:
PDX
Bixby
Kuikka-Nally-Menges-Klingenberg
Moultrie-Coffey-Rodriguez-Reyes
Betfort-Smith
WAS
Kingsbury
Staab-McKeown-Carle-Brooks
Sanchez-Sullivan-Metayer
Rodman-Hatch-Beigalski
Score prediction:
I’m hoping the Thorns really ride the wave of their last match and win this one 3-1. If Betfort and Smith carry on scoring and Moultrie and Weaver carry on orchestrating great plays, this game should be a good one.
Excited for this one. Nervous for this one. Suuuuper curious what becomes of Sinc. Especially since she started last game but didn't get to play (and she started in a central/withdrawn F spot, which Soph will re-take.) I still kinda feel like she's going to retain a starting spot but he'll have to move her back to midfield to do so....just never sure Norris will have the gumption to sit her again after taking her out last game. Could be that Norris goes with the 4222 that it kinda looked like at the beginning of last game, with Sinc AND Liv starting as the top of the box midfield with Smith/Weaver up top and Betfort dropped to the bench. Smith hasn't really played in a 2-front, though.
Don't agree with this starting lineup though. No way Weaver starts on the bench for a Reyes in midfield (?) I think it could also be more of a 433 with Coffey/Rocky in the 6-6/6-8 and then Moultrie (or Sinc?) at the 10. A flat 442 doesn't really square well with this group at all imo, but the box could maybe work....but if we're getting only 2 up top, it's gonna be Weaver/Smith and Betfort gets dropped to the bench. With her defensive efforts and recent form? Start her with Weaver and Smith up top. Have Liv in the 10, in either a 433 or a 4231, and then have Rocky and Coffey in the 6/8 or 6/6. The non-negotiable for me is having both Coffey and Rocky on the field. And I would rather Moultrie over Sinc- at least while Hina and Dunn are working their way back in.
What would be REALLY nice? Becky is back and totally ready for a start. Her and Menges have a great partnership, and her and Kling just mind meld when their out there together. Against Hatch, Sanchez, and Rodman? Could be no worse game to have Nally start and play significant minutes. She is just gonna get roasted out there. Sure she played fine against a totally inept Courage attack, but that's not what we'll get tomorrow.
What's all y'alls preferred lineups (with ALL 11 players this time)?
NWSL always find a way to show us something new...
Heat delay in Cary at the hydration break. Both teams just went into the locker room. The fans, however, are left to sit and bake in the sun.
Um, couldn't someone have looked at the hourly forecast and pushed this match back about 5 hours?