WPSL Game of the Week: No. 15 Portland Thorns FC II hosts Spokane SC Shadow in Pac Northwest clash
- Dan Stickradt
- Jun 19
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
PORTLAND, Ore. — With a chance to clinch the Pac Northwest Conference title, No. 15 Portland Thorns FC II hosts Spokane SC Shadow on Thursday night at Providence Park in the National Soccer Network’s National Matchup of the Week.
Portland enters the contest with a perfect 6-0-0 record, outscoring opponents 15-0 behind a deep roster blending homegrown talent and rising stars from the Thorns Academy pipeline.
“The depth of this roster has been the foundation of our success this season,” said Gabe Tatz, Portland Thorns Academy executive director. “It doesn’t matter who we put on the pitch, every player shows up prepared and ready to compete.”
A win Thursday would officially secure the conference crown for Portland, which also benefited from three points via a forfeit by Seattle Reign FC II earlier this week. Thorns FC II will close out the season Saturday against Westside Metros FC.
Thursday marks the second meeting in six days between Portland and Spokane. The Thorns earned a 2-0 road victory last Saturday at Whitworth University, handing the defending conference champions their second loss of the season.
“Spokane is a tremendous side. They won the conference last season,” Tatz said. “We had a gritty performance up in Spokane and know this week’s matchup will be another hard-fought battle.”
Spokane (2-0-2) remains mathematically alive for the conference title but must win Thursday to keep its hopes alive. The Shadow are led by Delani Walker (Eastern Washington), who has three of the team’s 13 goals this season. Goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby (Eastern Washington) has two clean sheets, as Spokane has conceded just four goals across four matches.
“We started the season flying but hit a lull in our scoring recently,” said Spokane head coach Drew Williams. “We’re creating chances at a very high level. Once we start finishing, the floodgates will open. This is a special group.”
For Portland, Emelia Warta (Gonzaga) leads with three goals, followed by Shaela Bradley (North Carolina) with two. Goalkeepers Michaela McCollum (Gonzaga) and Nyamma Nelson (Northwestern) have combined for over 450 consecutive scoreless minutes.
“Portland is extremely clinical in front of goal,” Williams said. “They don’t need many chances, and they work for one another. They do whatever it takes to win.”
Spokane finishes Matchweek Seven on the road Saturday against Vancouver Victory, then wraps the regular season with two road matches June 29 against Seattle Reign FC II and Westside Metros FC.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PDT, streaming live and on-demand via the National Soccer Network.
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