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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Conclude 2021 Season in NWSL Semifinal Round against Chicago Red Stars

November 14, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC fell 2-0 to the Chicago Red Stars in the semifinal round of the NWSL playoffs at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon, bringing an end to the club's fifth consecutive postseason appearance.

Portland in the Playoffs

No. 1 seed Thorns FC exited the postseason in the semifinal round. It marked their fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs, while also making their seventh postseason appearance in eight seasons - the most of any team in the league. Christine Sinclair has played in every Thorns FC playoff game in club history (10) and is one of three players in league history to appear in 10 or more postseason matches. Bella Bixby, Simone Charley, Natalia Kuikka, Rocky Rodríguez, Yazmeen Ryan, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver appeared in their first NWSL playoff game.

2021 Season in Review

Portland recorded one of its most successful regular seasons in club history, posting a record of 13-6-5 (44 pts). Thorns FC finished the 2021 regular season with 13 clean sheets, setting both a club and NWSL record. Portland also recorded a league-best six road wins, which tied the single-season club record set in 2013 and 2018. Portland allowed the fewest goals in the league this season (17), which tied the NWSL single-season record (North Carolina, 2018) for fewest goals conceded.

Farewell Parsons

In his six years with Thorns FC, head coach Mark Parsons collected six trophies (2016, 2021 NWSL Shield, 2017 NWSL Championship, 2020 Fall Series, 2021 Challenge Cup, 2021 Women's International Champions Cup). Portland earned five consecutive top three finishes (2016-19, 2021) in the league under Parsons. Across all competitions, he posted a record of 73-32-35, finishing with a .646 winning percentage. Parsons was named the NWSL Coach of the Year in 2016 and was also named a finalist for the 2018 FIFA Women's Coach of the Year. Parsons became the NWSL's all-time winningest coach this season, earning his 82nd win on Oct. 17, 2021, on the road against the Houston Dash.

Goal-Scoring Plays

CHI - Katie Johnson (Vanessa DiBernardo), 37th minute: Vanessa DiBernardo drove a pass out wide on the right flank for Katie Johnson who dribbled into the box and fired a shot into the upper-right corner.

CHI - Sarah Woldmoe (Morgan Gautrat), 59th minute: Morgan Gautrat played a square ball across the midfield for Sarah Woldmoe just outside of the box. Woldmoe took one touch and fired a shot inside the right post.

Notes:

Portland closed out the regular season in first place with a record of 13-6-5 (44 pts).

Thorns FC set a new NWSL single-season record for shutouts (13).

Thorns FC finished the season with their second-most wins in club history (13), behind the 14 they recorded in 2017.

Portland conceded the fewest goals in NWSL this season (17).

Portland's 17 goals allowed in the regular season is the fewest in club history, and tied the NWSL record for fewest goals allowed in a season (North Carolina, 2018).

Thorns FC registered the second-most goals in the regular season (33).

Angela Salem was named the Supporters Player of the Year.

Salem is the only player to appear in all 24 matches this year.

Bella Bixby had the second-most shutouts in the NWSL this season (9).

Sophia Smith led the team in chances created today with four.

Christine Sinclair registered a team-high 11 possessions gained.

Sinclair has played in every Thorns FC playoff game in club history (10). She is one of three players in league history to appear in 10 or more postseason matches.

Bella Bixby, Simone Charley, Natalia Kuikka, Rocky Rodríguez, Yazmeen Ryan, Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver all appeared in their first NWSL playoff game.

Portland Thorns FC vs. Chicago Red Stars - 2021 NWSL Semifinal

Nov. 14, 2021 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0

Chicago Red Stars 1 1 2

Scoring Summary:

CHI: Johnson (DiBernardo), 37

CHI: Woldmoe (Gautrat), 59

Misconduct Summary:

None

Lineups:

POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka, D Menges, D Sauerbrunn, D Klingenberg, M Salem, M Rodríguez, M Ryan, M Sinclair ©, F S. Smith, F Weaver (Charley, 59)

Substitutes Not Used: GK A. Smith, D Nally, D Hubly, Pogarch, M Boureille, M Everett, M Moultrie, F Lussi

TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Smith, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Rodríguez, Smith, 2); FOULS: 7 (Klingenberg, Kuikka, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 0

CHI: GK Miller, D Milazzo, D Gorden, D Davidson, D Wright, M Gautrat, M Woldmoe, M Colaprico, M DiBernardo ©, F Hill, F Watt (Johnson, 29)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Boyd, D Goralski, D Morse, D St. Georges, M Stevens, M Stanton, M Mautz, F Doniak

TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (DiBernardo, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Johnson, Woldmoe, 1); FOULS: 9 (Gautrat, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 6

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva

Assistant Referees: Deleana Quan, Meghan Mullen

4th Official: Samantha Martinez

Attendance: 15,832

Weather: Cloudy, 63 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 14, 2021


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