The Portland Thorns took down the Washington Spirit Friday night by a score of 4-2. With the win, the Thorns now have a record of 7-2-4, and pass Washington for 1st place in the overall standings of the NWSL. This was also the last match before six members of the Thorns travel for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The match at Providence Park got off to a quick start for the Thorns. Portland had the first scoring chance of the game just 33 seconds into the match. Natalia Kuikka found a seam between defenders to send a low ball into the box. Fortunately for Washington, Kuikka’s kick was off target from the net, and just out of reach of Thorns forward Sophia Smith.
Smith was everywhere offensively, and it showed early for Portland. At 10:30 into the game, Smith would receive a pass just across the midfield line with three defenders in her vicinity. Smith would cut back infield, find space, and just barely gain an edge on the last defender. From just inside the penalty arch, Smith would fire a left-footed shot that would cause her to lose her balance. Smith’s low shot would zip past Washington goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury, and stay inside the far post to give the Thorns a 1-0 lead.
However, the Spirit were quick to respond. Just two minutes later, a quick combo of passes in the middle of Washington’s attacking zone would set up an arching ball outside for Dorian Bailey. Bailey would cross the ball off a bounce toward the far post. Ashley Sanchez would race to the ball before it reached the goal line, and redirect the ball back to the middle of the box. There, Ashley Hatch would have a one-time shot between defenders on the doorstep to tie the game at 1-1.
Sophia Smith’s speed became a huge factor as the match went on. At 21:50, Hina Sugita would try and head a ball between defenders at the midfield off a defensive clear. A Washington defender would get her cleat on the redirect, but the touch would end up shifting the ball into open space. From there, Smith would win the race to the ball, and off a short run, take a shot from beyond the penalty arch. Her right-footed shot would skip past Kingsbury, and go right back to the corner she hit on her first goal of the game, putting the Thorns at a 2-1 lead that would hold through halftime.
The second half had a faster start than the first. Just 40 seconds into the second half, Washington would find a second equalizer. After Washington moved the ball inside the box, the Thorns’ defense was able to gather possession. However, an attempted clear would be blocked by Ashley Sanchez at the top of the box. Sanchez quickly was able to settle the ball and send a right-footed shot towards the far side of the net. The shot would be just out of reach of Portland goalkeeper Shelby Hogan, and dip under the crossbar to tie the game at 2-2.
Then, at 47:00, Portland’s midfield stepped up to create more offensive opportunities. Hina Sugita would challenge a retreating Washington midfielder. The ball would bounce up, and stay within reach of Sugita. Sugita, while falling to the turf, would angle a chip pass around the defense to Sophia Smith at the top of the box. As Smith moved inside, her left-footed shot would whip past the goalkeeper’s right side and stay inside the near post to give Portland a 3-2 lead.
As the second half continued, the Thorns refused to take their foot off the gas. At 63:00, Sam Coffey would spring Morgan Weaver on a run inside the box. Weaver had a similar angle to Smith’s third goal. However, Weaver was able to push the ball low to the far post instead, extending Portland’s lead to 4-2.
With the two-goal lead, the Thorns’ defense had to be ready for a late push by the Spirit. Luckily for Portland, Shelby Hogan was ready to answer the call. Just past the 75:00 minute mark, Sam Staab would launch a ball into the penalty box, where Ashley Hatch would be in a position to make a play. Hatch would box out her defender, control the ball, and off a bounce shoot for the near post. However, Hogan came out to cut down the angle and deflected the ball away with her right forearm to make the save.
Washington would have two chances late in the game go over the crossbar, and the Thorns defense would play keep away for the final moments of regulation. Portland would win, 4-2 over Washington, moving the Thorns to 1st place in the NWSL standings.
The Thorns’ next match is a Challenge Cup group stage battle against OL Reign, on June 28, at Providence Park with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 