NWSL Matchday Preview | Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC | May 6, 2017

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Broadcast:  go90.com and go90 app (United States), NWSLsoccer.com (International)
Broadcast Talent: Jordan Angeli (play-by-play), Morgan Church (analyst)

MATCH INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2017
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Cloudy, 59 degrees
Referee: Christina Unkel
Assistant Referees: Deleana Quan, TJ Zablocki Fourth Official: Levi Rippy
Broadcast: go90.com (United States), NWSLSoccer.com (international)
Broadcast talent: Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Morgan Church (analyst)

MATCH PREVIEW

Saturday’s match marks the first of three meetings between Portland and Seattle during the 2017 regular season, and the only regular-season contest between the two sides at Providence Park this season.

Thorns FC picked up a 1-0 win in the last meeting at Providence Park on July 30 against Seattle, while the two teams played to a scoreless draw in the other match between the two sides in Portland.

Nadia Nadim has scored in three consecutive regular-season home matches, and has tallied seven goals in Thorns FC’s last six regular-season home games.

LAST MATCH RECAP

Portland picked up its second clean sheet of the campaign, registering a 1-0 win against the Chicago Red Stars on April 29 at Providence Park. Nadia Nadim converted from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, sending Chicago goal- keeper Alyssa Naeher the wrong direction to give Thorns FC the lead. Adrianna Franch recorded five saves in the match, including a critical punch at the goal line after a cross from the right flank took an unfortunate deflection in the 59th minute to help preserve the clean sheet.

SERIES HISTORY

Portland has squared off against Seattle more than any team in NWSL with Saturday’s meeting being the 14th in the all-time series. Thorns FC have faired well against their Cascadia rival at Providence Park, earning at least a point in five of the previous seven meetings. Notably, the last five meetings between the two teams have produced either a draw or a 1-0 result. Neither team has scored more than one goal in a match at Providence Park since Portland posted a 2-0 win against Reign FC on June 16, 2013. Last season, Thorns FC earned two clean sheets at home against Seattle, including a 1-0 win on July 30.

SCOUTING SEATTLE

Seattle (1-1-1, 4pts) visits Portland after a 3-0 loss on the road against the Bos- ton Breakers on April 29. Reign FC are led by U.S. international Megan Rapinoe, who has tallied two goals in her first three games this season. A 2016 NWSL Second XI pick, midfielder Jess Fishlock, who was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for April, has a goal and an assist for Reign FC over the first three games. Seattle has been one of the top teams in the league at home, but have not found the same success away from home, winning just one of its last 10 road matches.