The Portland Thorns fell this weekend after a 2-0 to the San Diego Wave FC at Providence Park. With the win, San Diego has passed the Thorns for the #1 overall seed in the NWSL. The Thorns still hold the #2 spot in the NWSL, just two points ahead of NJ/NY Gotham FC.
The battle for first place in the NWSL saw San Diego gaining the early edge. After Portland turned the ball over, Jaedyn Shaw would find a lane and receive a pass just inside the outer edge of the box. Kyra Carusa played patient, and waited for Portland’s defense to follow the momentum of the play. Then, Shaw would turn the ball back inside and find Carusa for an open shot. Carusa’s right-footed strike caught Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby leaning the wrong way at the wrong moment. Carusa’s shot would bounce over the goal line, and put the Wave FC up 1-0 in the 20th minute of play.
Portland’s best chance to tie the game came just a few minutes later. At 24:03, the Thorns were starting to establish pressure in the attacking third. A pass out wide allowed Crystal Dunn to shoot, and she would take it. Dunn’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, and the rebound ricocheted right to Hina Sugita. However, Sugita’s shot would careen high and wide over the net, and the Thorns would remain down 1-0.
However, Portland’s trouble would double in the 38th minute. After two close calls for Portland’s defense, San Diego would find a way to add to their lead. Christen Westphal would receive the ball back, and immediately look to the box. Spotting two of her teammates at the top of the box, Westphal sends the ball in, and Alex Morgan would win the fight for the header. Morgan’s header would redirect the ball back towards the center of the net, and this momentum change once again threw off Bella Bixby. As Bixby came up to play the ball, the header caused the ball to skip just out of reach of her arm. Even recovering from her momentum wasn’t enough, and Portland found themselves in a 2-0 hole.
Portland had a handful of chances in the second half. One of their best chances came at 79:06. Off a quick chip pass to the middle, Hannah Betfort would split defenders and corral the pass at the top of the box. Right before Betfort had a chance to shoot, the ball would be slide tackled away from her. The ball would then bounce towards the side of the box, and rushing in for a shot was Morgan Weaver. Weaver’s right footed shot would scream past the jumping goaltender and soar over the crossbar, keeping the score at 2-0.
Portland nearly had their breakthrough just over a minute later. Hina Sugita and Meghan Klingenberg would combine passes to set up Olivia Moultrie just outside of the box and left of the penalty arch. Moultrie’s chip shot would stay just out of reach of Kailen Sheridan, and strike the far post. The bounce would put the ball back into the middle of the box, but it was quickly cleared away at 80:28. Unfortunately for Portland, that would be their last A-grade chance in regulation, and the Thorns would run out of time. San Diego would hold on to win, 2-0.
The Portland Thorns have two games remaining in the regular season. Their next match is at Providence Park, against NJ/NY Gotham on Oct. 7 with kickoff set for 2 p.m. It will be Portland’s last home match of the regular season.
Northwest Sports Desk 