2017 Pre-Season Matches

Nice thread; a one-stop shop.

 

The Thorns apparently will have a pre-season match -- think, v a national team rather than v a club.

 

Nope. I don't know whether they'll do it again or not.

 

Red stars and U23 USWNT in. Reign out.

This year's #NWSL preseason tournament in Portland to feature Thorns, Dash, Red Stars, and U-23 US side. Exciting stuff. (no Reign)

— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) January 19, 2017

 

More details on the Tournament in Portland from The Red Stars website:

http://chicagoredstars.com/chicago-heads-to-portland-for-preseason-tournament/

March 26th through April 1.

Already looking in my wallet for affordability to go.

 

From Portland Thorns website:

http://www.timbers.com/post/2017/01...tational-presented-tillamook-march-26-april-1

 

Here are the detailed game times for the Thorns' pre-season tournament. They're also in the Thorns release for which MRAD12 provided a release. The release also has info about ticket sales.

For Portlanders, there's one problem with the timing of the tournament: It's the week of school Spring Break. Lots of Portlanders leave town during the Break, and that includes me this year (except possibly for the last day). So, I've got some tickets I'll have to give away, since the tournament game tickets are included as part of the season ticket package.

MRAD12, if you decide you're coming, I'll have tickets for you if you want them.

3/26 2:30 pm (west coast time): Dash v USWNT U23s

3/26 5:00 pm: Thorns v Red Stars

3/29 5:00 pm: Red Stars v Dash

3/29 7:30 pm: Thorns v U23s

4/1 5:00 pm: Red Stars v U23s

4/1 7:30 pm: Thorns v Dash

 

I'm not surprised that Seattle said no, if it was their choice. Harvey mentioned in an interview that she thought last year's edition prevented the team from getting what she believed was the proper preparation for the season.

 

Thank you very much. If I do go, I may certainly take your offer. I won't know until more closer to the event. I want to go to at least three Red Stars away games this season but I'm afraid I may not be able to afford to go to all three. Also timing is a big factor. But I will let you know sometime in early/mid March. I def. would LOVE to as I have been to Thorns games several times over the past few years and that wonderful, intimate stadium and had a blast. If I do, it would probably be the Wednesday the 29th and Saturday the 1st games.

I'm also curious to watch the U-23 team as well, as Ellis mentioned not too long ago that she is putting more emphasis on this age group as she wants it to be a "feeder" into the full team.

My question is: What about players that play for both the teams in the tournament and the USWNT-23 team? For whom will they play? Since all other NWSL teams will also be having pre-season at this time, will their players who are on the USWNT-23 team also be called to participate in the tournament in Portland? Or will the USWNT-23 team for this tournament primarily consist of college players?

 

I suspect this tournament will have it's own unique call-up of college & other non-pro players. Scarpa, Sanchez, Pugh, a few others come to mind.

 

Reign FC announce 2017 preseason schedule.

Story: https://t.co/8aVbtc9P1Z pic.twitter.com/vcw0ThuzvZ

— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) February 10, 2017

Surprised nobody posted this, fortunately I saw the UCLA news announcing their spring schedule...

Interesting that they skip the Thorns pre-season tourney, but decided to play a game in SoCal vs UCLA. Unfortunately it's not at UCLA, but an hour east of LA in the Inland Empire.

 

The dates make sense though. At the very end of preseason so that they have a lot of time uninterrupted to gel the team and plan.

 

I don't think they skipped it. My understanding is that Portland invited those teams they wanted to participate in their tournament. Maybe the Reign didn't get invited?

 

I think it's interesting that they're playing UCLA. The game against UW makes since, as they're right nearby. But flying down to SoCal just to play UCLA... makes me wonder if both Fleming and Pugh will be playing?

The post above from BlueCrimson made it sound like Seattle wasn't interested in it. So, I was just going off of that.

 

I seem to remember multiple reports that seemed legit that Seattle wasn't interested in it this year. Whether that's they were offered and said no or weren't offered because it was known they weren't interested or if they just weren't going to be invited, I have no idea.

 

That's possible as well. It's the coaches who are the engines behind the friendlies so who knows what happens or the talks behind the scenes.

 

Red Stars announce pre-season schedule:

http://chicagoredstars.com/chicago-red-stars-unveils-2017-preseason-schedule/