Match Preview: Portland Thorns vs North Carolina Courage
The Thorns hit the road to take on the North Carolina Courage.
The Thorns head to North Carolina to take on The Courage at 4 p.m. PT Saturday, May 6 (streaming on Paramount+).
Last season The Thorns and The Courage first tied 3-3 in the first game in their series and then Portland lost 1-3 in the second of their two meetings for the year.
Last year, however, North Carolina finished 7th while Portland finished 2nd, and this year the two teams sit at 8th and first.
Currently, The Thorns are 3-0-2 (11 points) and the Courage is 2-3-0 (6 points).
The Opposition
The Courage host a number of notable players on their roster. That includes Denise O’Sullivan, Casey Murphy, former Thorn Tyler Lussi, and USWNT standout Emily Fox, to name a few.
So far this season, the Courage beat the Kansas City Current 1-0 in their home opener, then lost 1-3 to San Diego away. They returned home where they fell 1-2 to the Washington Spirit. Then they lost to Gotham FC 0-1 and then beat Houston Dash 1-0.
A lot of slim losses and victories for the Courage, and their place in the standings reflect that I would say.
The Thorns Thus Far
The Thorns are undefeated this year after cinching a draw against Angel City in the most magnificent way. Bella Bixby was the hero of the night — scoring the tying goal in the 95th minute. In doing so she became just the second goalie to score in the NWSL.
Predicted Line-ups
NC Courage (4-3-3)
Casey Murphy in goal
Ryan Williams, Kaleigh Kurtz, Emily Fox, and Malia Berkely in the back
Denise O’Sullivan, Meredith Speck, and Narumi in the middle
Tyler Lussi, Rikke Madsen, and Kerolin Nicoli up front
Portland (4-3-3)
Bella Bixby in goal
Hubly, Kuikka, Menges, Klingenberg
Then in the midfield Dunn, Rocky, and Coffey
Finally, up front we’ve got Weaver, Smith, and Sinclair
Don’t Forget This Moment!
Score Predictions? Let us know in the comments!
I'd like to see at least 7 points from these next three road games- All teams the Thorns should beat on paper.
I do think NCC has actually looked pretty good this year so far relative to expectation- Miura has been a nice add, Lussi has been shockingly effective, and Kerolin scares the hell out off me. Play your best team and let's get out of Cary with the W.
I do think (and hope/pray!) we see Hina or Leon on the right and Sinc back in midfield with Soph starting again. No reason to shunt the best striker in the league out wide to replicate the awful Sinc-up-top experiment from last weekend.
Circle June 23 on your calendars.... Spirit visit Portland, Parsons's return.