Portland Thorns FC will look to carry momentum from Wednesday’s win over Western New York into Saturday’s 7 p.m. match against Sky Blue FC at Providence Park.
The Thorns enter the match second in the nine-team National Women’s Soccer League with four wins, one loss and two draws for 14 points. They trail unbeaten Seattle by eight points. Sky Blue is 1-3-4 for seven points and is coming off a 3-3 draw with the Washington Spirit on Wednesday in New Jersey.
Earlier this season, a late penalty kick from Allie Long earned Portland a 1-1 draw against Sky Blue at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.
While Christine Sinclair is still seeking her first goal of the season and Alex Morgan is getting closer to being game-ready, Portland’s offense has been carried by Jessica McDonald (five goals) and Long (four goals). Each scored once in Wednesday’s high-paced 2-1 win over the Flash in a high-paced match that saw Portland earn a season-high 13 corner kicks and the two teams combine for 37 shots (18 on goal).
Thorns goalkeeper Nadine Angerer continues to show why she was FIFA’s women’s player of the year for 2013. Her 30 saves is second most in the league. Among her big moments on Wednesday was a diving denial of an Abby Wambach shot and a flying header to clear away a threat near the top of the penalty area.
Columbia River High School graduate Kat Tarr has started three consecutive games for the Thorns.
Sky Blue features veteran U.S. Women’s National Team defender Christie Rampone. Midfielder Katy Freels leads Sky Blue with three goals and one assist.
Victory FC on road — The Vancouver Victory FC men’s soccer team plays South Sound FC at 7 p.m. Saturday at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. The Victory have won four Evergreen Premier League matches in a row.
Spartans FC visits Gorge FC — Spartans Futbol Club take a 6-0 National Premier Soccer League record into a 7 p.m. Saturday match against Gorge FC at Hood River Valley High School in Hood River, Ore.
Timbers U23s on road — The Portland Timbers under-23 team plays the Kitsap Pumas at 7 p.m. on Saturday in a Premier Development League match at Gordon Park Field in Bremerton.
