The Portland Thorns will face one of the NWSL’s newest clubs, the Boston Legacy, for the first time this afternoon as they look to bounce back from their largest defeat of the season last week.
Kickoff for this match is set for 1 pm PST with streaming available on CBS Sports and YouTube TV. Below you will find your match preview, along with a place to chat throughout the match!
Availability Report
Not only will the Thorns be continuing their stint without Reilyn Turner today, but also missing from the lineup – Olivia Moultrie.
Moultrie was placed on the NWSL's availability report as unavailable with a knee injury, although no comment was given by Thorns head coach Robert Villahamn in this week's prematch media availability.
This will no doubt require some necessary reshaping of the lineup in Moultrie's absence, which could potentially be the shake up that the Thorns need given their recent performances.
Returning to the mix, however, should be centerback Jayden Perry, who was absent from Portland's 5-1 loss to the Royals following the red card she received against Gotham.
Bounce back necessary
The Portland Thorns have suffered an abundance of adversity in recent weeks.
The lone team that once sat atop the NWSL table has now lost three out of their last four matches, and the talk hasn't just been the results but the statistics surrounding them.
Through the first eight matches of the NWSL season the Portland Thorns had allowed just six goals total, and in their red hot start were 6-1-1. Yet in their last 10 games not only have the Thorns walked away with just 2 wins, they have also given up a total of 19 goals, and an offense that was once firing to start the season, has begun to falter.
With a relatively healthy roster, options both offensively and defensively, the return of Sophia Wilson in her true form, and Morgan Weaver who continues to progress – I can't help but wonder, why?
And now a season that was once full of hope is facing a multitude of doubts.
So what do the Thorns need now more than ever? To win, today.
A bit about Boston
The NWSL's newest expansion team has officially embarked on its first season and what was a rocky start has now turned into something like potential.
In contrast to Portland's showings in recent weeks, Boston has recorded a win in three of their last five matches, with just a single loss – and despite sitting at 12th in the NWSL standings, are just a mere eight points behind the Thorns.
What could quickly become a problem for Portland, Boston's ability to score. The last time the Legacy were shutout offensively was April 26th, an entire month prior to the summer window. Compound that with the Thorns’ struggling defense, and things may not bode well for Portland this afternoon if this trend continues, allowing Boston to capitalize on a weakness we’ve seen other teams exploit recently (cough cough, Utah).
Nevertheless, be sure to hop in the comments down below to chat through the good, the bad and the ugly!
