For the second time in 2018, the Orlando Pride will make a trip to Providence Park to face Portland Thorns FC.

The first result did not go in favor of the Pride (2-2-3, 9 points), as they lost 2-1 despite an early, 20th-minute goal by forward Chioma Ubogagu. Orlando is now 0-5-1 in its all-time series with Portland (2-2-3, 9 points), including a 4-1 loss in last season’s National Women’s Soccer League semifinals.

However, this is a different Orlando team from when the Pride traveled to Portland for their third match of the season on April 15. Since then, Orlando has strung together a four-game unbeaten streak, including beating the Houston Dash 1-0 for its first win of the season.

Orlando also earned its first-ever win over the Chicago Red Stars, a 2-0 decision on May 2.

Here’s what to expect from the Thorns when the Pride travel to face Portland for a Saturday-afternoon matchup at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Lifetime.

Christine Sinclair Leads NWSL in Offense

Portland forward Christine Sinclair has proven that age is just a number. Despite being 34 years old, she is leading the NWSL in goals (four) and assists (three). Sinclair has taken 19 shots with seven on-frame attempts.

The Canadian international is also tied for sixth in minutes (630), playing every single minute of Portland’s seven matches, so far, in 2018.

Sinclair’s best performance of the season, so far, was in Portland’s 3-2 win over the Red Stars on March 31. There, she posted a brace with goals coming in the 40th and 65th minutes, the former breaking a 1-1 tie.

Her four goals is already half of her career-high eight goals she tallied in 24 games, 24 starts last season.

Lindsey Horan Also an Offensive Threat

Midfielder Lindsey Horan has been almost as productive as Sinclair in the early-season going. Her three goals are tied for second-most in the league, tying Ubogagu’s total. Like Sinclair, she has also played all 630 minutes of the Thorns’ first seven games.

Horan, 23, has made crucial plays in big moments, too. She scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage to help Portland win the 2017 NWSL Championship.

Against Orlando this season, Horan and Sinclair combined for two first-half goals to complete their come-from-behind victory. Horan scored first off an assist by Sinclair in the 28th minute, and Sinclair scored off a Horan assist in the 39th minute.

Like Orlando, Portland Faces Quick Turnaround

Both the Pride and the Thorns played the night of May 9, each earning a point in their respective matchups.

In a 1-1 draw with Houston, Portland striker Ana-Maria Crnogorčević scored the first goal of the game in the 25th minute off an accidental assist by Sinclair. The Dash responded in the 57th minute with a goal by striker Kyah Simon.

With both Orlando and Portland drawing, both teams will now battle for sole possession of fourth place. Both teams have the same record and the same goal differential. Portland, however, has scored 10 goals and allowed 10 while the Pride have scored six and allowed six.

For more on the Pride, as they look for their first-ever win over Portland, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.