Third Meeting Between the Sides In Just Two Weeks

Chicago, IL – The Red Stars are looking to climb the NWSL rankings when they take on Portland Thorns FC on Thursday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. CT. This will be the last meeting between the two teams during the regular season, and the third meeting in just two weeks.

The Red Stars (7-6-4, 25pts) had a huge win on Saturday, July 12 when they shutout league leaders Seattle Reign FC 1-0 at home. Forward Melissa Tancredi scored the lone goal of the night in the eighth minute. It was the first goal of her NWSL career after sitting out the first year and a half of the league to finish chiropractic school. Red Stars goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc earned her fourth shutout of the season with five saves on the evening. LeBlanc is now second in the league in ‘shutouts’ and ‘goalkeeping leaders’ in the NWSL charts.

Portland Thorns FC (7-6-4, 25pts) are coming off a record setting performance in a 7-1 victory over second-ranked FC Kansas City on Sunday, July 13. Thorns FC midfielder Veronica Boquete had a stellar performance with two goals and two assists and was voted NWSL Player of the Week for her efforts. Thorns midfielder Allie Long also produced two goals for the team. Thorns FC set the NWSL record for most goals scored in a single game with seven. The team also set the record for largest margin of victory in NWSL, winning by six goals.

The past two matches against the Thorns this season ended in draws with a 2-2 come-from-behind effort from the Red Stars in Portland on July 4 followed by a 1-1 come-from-behind tie in Chicago on July 9. Currently tied in the NWSL standings, a win for either team would place them in a playoff position. Both teams have the potential to surpass the Washington Spirit who is currently ranked third with 26 points. In spite of the Red Stars fantastic win over previously undefeated Seattle on Saturday, the Thorns overtook them in the standings on goal-differential after their amazing 7-goal output over the weekend.

Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC will take place Thursday at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex. For tickets, visit chicagoredstars.com/tickets/ or call 773-697-8699. The match will be webcast live in English and Spanish at https://chicagoredstars.com/live. Fans can also receive live in-game updates from the Red Stars official game day Twitter: @redstarslive.