After a solid goal scoring start to the season (9 in 4 games), the Thorns have now been shut out twice in a row. Away against Boston, the main problem appeared to be getting into the right area for shooting, as Portland registered only 5 shots all game. An altered dynamic in midfield, due to playing with four defenders instead of three, as well as continued rotation up top may have been among the issues.
Back home against the Houston Dash, these problems appeared mostly solved as Portland registered 18 shots. They managed to get in dangerous positions numerous times, but they never quite found the composure to score. As a result, Paul Riley put an extra focus on finishing in this week’s practice. McCall Zerboni added that the team is “not too worried” as they are still building piece by piece and working to get better every week.
The Washington Spirit are on a learning curve as well, according to coach Mark Parsons. Despite losing to the Western New York Flash 3-2, he was confident about the teams development. He felt his team was able to create chances, to use the tactics and moves they had worked on in practice. All of this comes with the added bonus of having Crystal Dunn. Not only is she in great form and can offer great speed, she can also play in any spot of the Spirit’s usual three player front line. She “just makes us unpredictable,” says Parsons.
The Spirit will need her and midfielder Christine Nairn to keep their form, as they have lost yet another player to the World Cup. Nigerian international Francisca Ordega has joined her national team and left somewhat of a gap to fill for Washington – especially since Estefania Banini suffered a season ending injury already. Tori Huster, a stronghold for the Spirit in midfield, is listed as “probable” for today’s match, after suffering an ankle injury against the WNY Flash. Her absence seemed to hurt Washington, who lost some of the control in midfield that had helped them dominate the first half of the game.
In their last meeting with the Spirit, the Thorns were 2-0 down early in the game, after they initially struggled to adjust to Washington’s very high press. Playing in a 4-3-3, their forwards attack the opposing team during build up, closing them down and trying to provoke mistakes. After that worked initially, Portland was able to avoid further mistakes for the rest of the game and fight their way back to earn a 2-2 draw.
Paul Riley noted that going down early against both Chicago and Washington had hurt the Thorns because it made it harder for them to play their game: a two goal lead usually gives your opponent the opportunity to sit a little deeper while attempting to play a bit more on the counter. So Portland was focused on defensive stability in their last few games. Unfortunately, while they did not allow their opponent many chances, they ended up conceding a goal in both matches. Nevertheless, the defensive prospect is hopeful, especially with both Rachel van Hollebeke and Courtney Niemic healthy again and Emily Menges fully recovered from her hip injury.
Both Boston and Houston played a more defensive game against the Thorns, intent on having numbers behind the ball, limiting space around the goal by clogging the box with bodies. This has often forced the Thorns wide, bringing in crosses. Against the Dash, they tried attacking centrally but often the tempo was not quite high enough to get around the Houston defenders.
Washington have proven in the last meeting that they are confident enough to come out attacking. According to Riley, this – along with playing on a wide field in Washington – may help the Thorns. If they can use the space creatively, especially by involving Allie Long and Mana Shim, Portland will hopefully return to scoring goals. If they can additionally find the right timing and chemistry with Ayo Anonma, the Thorns should have a potent attack that can trouble the Spirit defense and keeper Kelsey Wys.
Washington are a talented team, so the Thorns will have to be the better side in all parts of the field. A solid defensive performance combined with dominance in midfield and creativity in the attack will be needed in order to take three points tonight.
