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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Portland Thorns Shut Out Chicago Red Stars In 2-0 Win

April 27, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Portland Thorns FC (2-3-1, 7 points) secured its first road result of the season with a 2-0 win over Chicago Red Stars courtesy of a brace from Sophia Smith and a clean sheet from Shelby Hogan.

Postgame sound from Interim Head Coach Rob Gale, goalkeeper Shelby Hogan and defender Reyna Reyes can be found here.

Chicago nearly found themselves on the board in the fourth minute when Mallory Swanson HAD an open shot on goal, but her opportunity smacked off the crossbar and was parried away, out of danger. Portland looked to do the same in the seventh minute when defender Reyna Reyes headed a crossed ball from Christine Sinclair, but Chicago defender Natalia Kuikka was able to save the ball off the line. Just moments later a shot from Jessie Fleming kissed off the underside of the crossbar, denying the Canadian her first Portland Thorns goal.

The Thorns finally broke through in the 10th minute when forward Sophia Smith, with a moment of brilliance, sent a curling ball around a line of Red Stars defenders and past the diving arms of Alyssa Naeher. The goal marked Smith's fourth of the season. In the 26th minute Smith scored her second of the night, running onto a forward pass from Sinclair before pinging her shot off the far post, the ball directed into the back of the net, her fifth of the year, giving her sole possession of first in the National Women's Soccer League Golden Boot race.

Chicago just about found the back of the net during stoppage time of the first half, but Julia Bianchi's shot collied with the far post, leaving Portland with the 2-0 lead at the halftime break.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Thorns saw themselves with a flurry of chances in front of goal, but the Red Stars' defense was able to thwart all of Portland's opportunities. Throughout the remainder of the second half Chicago continued to seek out a way back into the match, but the Thorns' stalwarts were able to weather the storm and dispel any real opportunities.

Forward Janine Beckie looked to have found the team's third of the match in the 79th minute when she picked off a pass from Naeher for an open look in front of goal, but the goal was later waived off after Video Assisted Review. Neither side would go on to find the back of the net again, giving Portland the 2-0 road victory.

UP NEXT: Portland Thorns FC continue its two-game road trip against expansion side Bay FC on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. PT, with the match being broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The Thorns will then return to Providence Park to host Washington Spirit on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. PT.

GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:

POR: Sophia Smith (Hina Sugita) 10th minute: From the top of the box, Sugita hit a short, forward pass to Smith who took several touches before sending a beautifully curled ball into the far post, past the diving arms of the goalkeeper.

POR: Sophia Smith (Christine Sinclair) 26th minute: Sinclair threaded a pass to the feet of Smith who pinged a shot off the far post and into the back of the net.

LINEUPS:

Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze Marie Müller (Meghan Klingenberg 61'); Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 61'), Hina Sugita; Sofia Smith (Ana Dias 88'), Christine Sinclair (Janine Beckie 46'), Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 73')

Subs not used: Emily Alvarado, Meaghan Nally, Kelli Hubly, Olivia Wade-Katoa

Chicago Red Stars (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher, Tatumn Milazzo (Chardonnay Curran 57'), Natalia Kuikka, Taylor Malham, Cari Roccaro, Julia Bianchi (Leilanni Nesbeth 57'), Mallory Swanson, Penelope Hocking (Nadia Gomes 65'), Ally Schlegel (Shea Groom 72'), Jenna Bike (Camryn Biegalski 72')

Subs not used: Mackenzie Wood, Ally Cook, Elizabeth Franklin, Hannah Anderson

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:

CHI: Sam Staab (caution) 62'

POR: Sophia Smith (caution) 71'

POR: Reyna Reyes (caution) 83'

POR: Isabella Obaze (caution) 90+8'

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 27, 2024


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