The Thorns take on the top-of-the-table North Carolina Courage tomorrow at Providence Park, in what promises to be either a very good match, a very tense and heated match, or both. With three of Portland’s starters away at the Euros, it’s do-or-die time for the rest of the squad. Let’s see what the afternoon could have in store:
Starting XI
I expect Mark Parsons to start the same 4-2-3-1 as last week: AD Franch in goal, and the usual back line of Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Emily Sonnett, and Celeste Boureille. Mana Shim and Allie Long will start as dual holding mids, with Ashleigh Sykes, Lindsey Horan, and Hayley Raso ahead of them, and Christine Sinclair as the lone forward.