2016 Portland Thorns FC season
| 2016 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Merritt Paulson | ||
| Head Coach | Mark Parsons | ||
| Stadium |
Providence Park Portland, Oregon (Capacity: 21,144) |
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| National Women's Soccer League | 1st | ||
| NWSL Playoffs | Semifinals (eliminated by Western New York Flash) | ||
| Top goalscorer | Nadia Nadim (9) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 21,144 (Sept. 11 vs. Western New York) |
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| Lowest home attendance | 13,752 (Sept. 7 vs. Houston) |
||
| Average home league attendance | 16,945 | ||
| Biggest win | 5-1 (Sept. 4 vs. Boston Breakers) |
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| Biggest defeat | 0-3 (July 16 vs. Houston) |
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| All statistics correct as of 9/26/2016. | |||
The 2016 season is the Portland Thorns FC's fourth season of existence in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of women's soccer in the United States. The Thorns finished in 6th place in the 2015 season.
The Thorns began their season at Providence Park as they faced off against the inaugural match for Orlando Pride SC. Former Thorn, Steph Catley was able to strike first for Orlando in the 12th minute. Portland would soon respond with goals from Dagný Brynjarsdóttir in the 25th minute and Linsey Horan in the 81st minute. Both goals would be assisted by captain, Tobin Heath. Thorns FC would win their home opener 2-1.
For their last match in April, the Thorns traveled to Kansas City where they would receive a 1-1 draw. Shea Groom was able to strike first with a goal in the 30th minute; however, Lindsey Horan was able to level the Thorns in the 78th minute once again assisted by Tobin Heath.
Position at the end of April
The Thorns began their month of May continuing their 4-game road spell against Boston Breakers where Dagny Brynjarsdottir scored the lone goal and Tobin Heath continued her assist streak to 4 in a row. The Thorns would end up winning 1-0.
The Thorns traveled to D.C. to take on the Washington Spirit. The team would end up drawing 0-0 with Tobin Heath acquiring two yellow cards thus suspending her for the next match against local rivals, Seattle Reign FC.
The Thorns finished their 4 away matches in Seattle as they faced off against Reign FC. Nadia Nadim would score her first of the season with an assist by Meg Morris, however would Seattle respond within 3 minutes by a goal from Yanez, equalizing at 1-1. Both teams would settle for the draw.
In the first of a two-game home stand, the Thorns secured a 3-1 win over the then-first-place Washington Spirit. In their last game of the month, missing 6 starters due to USWNT call-ups, the Thorns played Seattle to a 0-0 draw.
Position at the end of May
The Thorns began June with a two-game road trip, first holding on for a 1-1 draw with Chicago Red Stars and then prevailing 2-0 over Western New York Flash. Of note, Amandine Henry made her first appearance as a Thorn as a second-half substitute in that game.
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