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Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Record 1-0 Win against Chicago Red Stars

April 30, 2017 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Registering their second shutout of the season, Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-0 win behind a first-half penalty kick from forward Nadia Nadim in front of 14,471 fans on Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.

With the win, Thorns FC (2-1-0, 6pts) have won six straight regular-season matches at Providence Park, dating back to the 2016 regular season. During that stretch, Portland has registered four shutouts and has outscored its opponents 15-3.

Nadim notched her second goal of the season and her 11th goal since signing with Thorns FC ahead of the 2016 season in the 27th minute, converting a penalty kick after Chicago forward Christen Press was whistled for a handball in the box. With the goal, Nadim is now a perfect 7-for-7 from the penalty spot since joining the NWSL in 2015. In addition, Nadim has tallied 11 career game-winning goals in NWSL regular-season play, which is tied for the most in league history with Kim Little.

Controlling 58.5 percent of the possession, Portland limited Chicago's chances and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch finished the match with five saves, including a diving stop to deny a close-range attempt by Red Stars midfielder Julie Ertz in the 62nd minute as well as a key punch in the 59th minute to clear a deflected cross off Allie Long's head. Franch recorded her second clean sheet in three matches this season and the 12th shutout of her NWSL career, which moves her into a tie for fourth place all-time in career shutouts in league history.

Portland created additional scoring opportunities in the second half and came close to increasing its lead in the 59th minute. Forward Christine Sinclair pounced on a missed clearance near the edge of the six-yard box, sending a left-footed shot inches wide of the right post past the outstretched arms of Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Midfielder Lindsey Horan came close on two separate occasions to adding a second goal in a span of eight minutes. In the 61st minute, Sinclair found Horan making a run down the left side, playing a ball into space for Horan, who forced a save from Naeher with a strike from inside the box. Horan again broke free down the left flank in the 68th minute as forward Hayley Raso led the Thorns FC break, but Naeher was quick off her line to beat Horan to the ball after Raso slid a pass behind the defense to set up Horan for the shot attempt.

Next up, Thorns FC remain at home to play the second match of a two-match home stand, squaring off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Reign FC on Saturday, May 6, at Providence Park. Saturday's match kicks off at 7 p.m. (Pacific) and features at live, high-definition web stream at www.go90.com.

Notes:

* Nadia Nadim scored her 11th career game-winning goal, moving her into a tie for first-place all-time in NWSL history with Kim Little for the most game-winning goals.

* Portland has won six straight regular-season matches at Providence Park, dating back to the 2016 season.

* During their six-game, regular-season home-winning streak, Thorns FC have recorded four shutouts.

* Saturday's match marked the 12th meeting all-time between Chicago and Portland. Thorns FC has only played more games against Seattle (13) since 2013.

* Portland improved to 5-1-6 all-time against Chicago, extending its streak to nine games unbeaten against the Red Stars.

* Meghan Cox made her first professional start in her Thorns FC home debut in the match.

* Allie Long started her 80th career match for Portland becoming the eighth player in NWSL history to reach this milestone. In addition, Long is one of five players to make 80 starts all with the same club.

* Nadim has converted seven consecutive penalty-kick attempts since joining the league in 2015. Additionally, Nadim has scored a penalty kick against six different NWSL teams.

* Adrianna Franch recorded her 12th career NWSL shutout, which is tied for fourth most in league history.

Portland Thorns FC (2-1-0, 6pts) vs. Chicago Red Stars (1-2-0, 3pts) April 29, 2017 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F Chicago Red Stars 0 0 0 Portland Thorns FC 1 0 1

Scoring Summary POR: Nadim (penalty kick), 27

Misconduct Summary POR: Sonnett (Caution), 51 CHI: Ertz (Caution), 64 POR: Boureille (Caution), 67 CHI: Press (Caution), 90+1

Lineups & Stats POR: GK Franch, D Boureille, D Sonnett, D Menges, D Cox, M Henry, M Long, M Horan (Johnson, 90+1), F Nadim (Weber, 75), F Sinclair (c), F Raso

Substitutes Not Used: GK Eckerstrom, D Klingenberg, F Morris

TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Nadim, 2); FOULS: 14 (Boureille, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5

CHI: GK Naeher, D Gilliland (McCaffrey, 74), D Johnson (Comeau, 64), D Naughton, D Short, M Huerta, M Colaprico, M DiBernardo, M Ertz, F Press (c), F Hoy (Mautz, 66)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Dalton, D Proffitt, D Gorden, M Kaskie

TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Press, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Press, 3); FOULS: 16 (Press, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2

Referee: Ramy Touchan Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Eduardo Jeff 4th Official: Cephas Quartson Attendance: 14,471 Weather: Partly cloudy, 57 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.

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