U.S. U-23 WNT to face NWSL teams in 2018 Thorns Spring Invitational
CHICAGO (Via U.S. Soccer) – For the second year in a row, the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team will participate in the Thorns Spring Invitational, which will run from March 11-17 in Portland, Oregon, as the USA takes on three NWSL teams at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland.
This is the third year the pre-season tournament has been contested and will feature the U.S. U-23 WNT, Portland Thorns FC, the Chicago Red Stars and the Houston Dash.
The tournament will consist of three match days, with an early game that has free admission and then a later match featuring the Thorns that will be a ticketed event.
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The USA opens against the Dash on Sunday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. PT while will Portland take on Chicago at 5 p.m. PT. On Wednesday, March 14, Chicago takes on Houston at 1:30 p.m. PT and the USA will face the Thorns at 7:30 p.m. PT. The USA finishes against the Red Stars on Saturday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. and Portland ends the tournament against Houston at 7:30 p.m. PT.
At this event last year, with a team made up entirely of college-aged players and youth club players, the U.S. U-23 WNT fell 2-1 to the Dash as current WNT player Savannah McCaskill scored, defeated the Thorns 2-1 on goals from Michelle Xiao of Stanford and 2017 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year Sophia Smith, and then drew 0-0 with the Red Stars.
2018 THORNS SPRING INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE – All Games at Merlo Field; University of Portland
Sunday, March 11
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Houston Dash 11:30 a.m. PT
Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars 5 p.m. PT
Wednesday, March 14
Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash 1:30 p.m. PT
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Portland Thorns FC 7:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, March 17
U.S. U-23 WNT vs. Chicago Red Stars 1:30 p.m. PT
Portland Thorns FC vs. Houston Dash 7:30 p.m. PT
