(Mid) Week 10 preview: Amandine Henry to start?

For the first time this season, there is midweek action in NWSL and it will start with a bang. The Thorns will be trying to get half way to the finish line without a loss but are still looking up at the Red Stars who have not lost since opening weekend. And the Thorns could have Amandine Henry in the XI for the first time. On Thursday the Pride play their first home match in over a month and their first since the tragedy at Pulse nightclub resulted in 49 deaths.

Here is a closer look:

Wednesday

Chicago Red Stars (5-1-3) at Portland Thorns (4-0-5)
10pm EDT, Providence Park
All-Time Series: Thorns lead, 3-1-6
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What to watch for: For the second time in three weeks the undefeated Thorns take on the first place Red Stars. At Toyota Park the Red Stars survived a first half siege to stabilize the match and find the equalizer in the second. The highlight of this one will be the home debut and expected first NWSL start for Amandine Henry who made her debut off the bench at Western New York last Friday. With the Thorns fully healthy in the starting XI—Meghan Klingenberg, a late scratch on Friday, was not listed in the injury report—we will finally get a glimpse into how Mark Parsons plans to handle his personnel with Henry in the mix. This is not one to miss.

Thursday

Houston Dash (2-5-1) at Orlando Pride (4-5-0)
7:30 pm EDT, Camping World Stadium
All-Time Series: Pride lead, 2-0-0
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What to watch for: If it weren’t for the nil-nil draw in soccer this one could be labeled the something’s-got-to-give match. The Pride have not scored in three matches, topped by the Dash having not scored in four. So what gives? The Dash were recently called out by their coach Randy Waldrum, and looked dangerous often against FC Kansas City on the weekend but still managed to get shutout. The Pride have always been thin in midfield, and are even moreso with the trade of Lianne Sanderson to the Flash, and it may have finally caught up to them. The good news is that Laura Alleway is not on the injury report after being forced out of Saturday’s match early. More good news for the Pride is their 3-0-0 record at home including a 3-1 beatdown of the Dash in the opener two months ago to the day.

note: streams are subject to change up to the last minute; please consult nwslsoccer.com for the most up-to-date information