Preview + Match Thread | Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride

The Portland Thorns welcome the 2024 NWSL Shield winning Orlando Pride.

Credit: Portland Thorns FC

What: Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride

Where: Providence Park

When: 7pm PST

How to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

The Orlando Pride are coming into Providence Park after they clinched the NWSL Shield last weekend with a 2-0 win against Washington Spirit. They are unbeaten on the year with a 17 wins and six draws. This historic season has led to Marta winning her first ever hardware with Orlando.

Meanwhile this match couldn’t be happening at a worse time for the Portland Thorns. They are in one of the worst stretches in club history. They are winless in their last seven, dropped three straight home matches, and have won just a single point since July 5.

The club just announced Karina LeBlanc’s move to a new role out of the general manager position as well. There is so much change and instability at the moment.

The Pride have the league’s best defense (13 goals allowed) and third best attack (42 goals scored) with no signs of slowing down. Head coach Seb Hines has done a remarkable job alongside GM Haley Carter. Expect Hines to be named coach of the year, unanimously. This game will be played on their terms and likely one where they will punish poor box defending as well on the counter.

Projected Starting XI

Shelby Hogan
Kelli Hubly - Becky Sauerbrunn - Isa Obaze
Reyna Reyes - Jessie Fleming - Sam Coffey - Liv Moultrie - Marie Müller
Christine Sinclair - Morgan Weaver

Rob Gale has relied heavily on Sincy as a connecting piece and I expect nothing less in this case. The Portland Thorns do play again on Tuesday in the finale of their CONCACAF Champions Cup group stage, so expect players to be subbed off so they can ensure advancement to the knockout stages.

After struggles with the three back the past few matches, they could also revert back to the 4-3-3:

Hogan
Reyes - Obaze - Sauerbrunn - Müller
Fleming - Coffey - Moultrie
Linnehan/Spaanstra - Sinclair - Weaver

After clinching the shield, it will be interesting to see what Seb Hines and Orlando Pride will do down the stretch. Will they start resting players? I think it’s too soon, especially with an international break coming up, but do expect it to happen eventually.

They are one of the most best teams in the history of the league, not because of their starpower, but because of the incredible balanced approach they have. Expect them to put on a show on Providence Park tomorrow as well.

Prediction:

Portland Thorns 1 - Orlando Pride 3

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