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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Down Angel City FC 3-2 with Stoppage-Time Stunner in UKG Challenge Cup Play at Providence Park

June 1, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC stunned Angel City FC 3-2 with a stoppage-time game winner from Morgan Weaver in their second match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup at Providence Park on Wednesday night. Michele Vasconcelos and Izzy D'Aquila also scored in the match to help Portland collect three points in the tournament. Thorns FC will return to regular season play with a road match against OL Reign on Saturday, June 3.

Goal Scorers and Playmakers

Scoring the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute, Morgan Weaver notched her team-leading fourth Challenge Cup goal across all years. Weaver and Debinha are the only NWSL players that have scored in every year of the tournament thus far. It also marked Weaver's fourth goal of 2023, and her 16th across all competitions for Thorns FC. Portland has scored four stoppage time game-winning goals in its NWSL history and two of them have come through Weaver. Michele Vasconcelos made her Challenge Cup debut for Thorns FC, starting the match and scoring her first goal of the tournament. It marked her second career goal with Thorns FC across all competitions. Izzy D'Aquila earned her first professional start and goal contributions in the match, tallying a goal and an assist. Olivia Moultrie registered her first assist in the tournament and her third of 2023. Christine Sinclair recorded her first Challenge Cup assist and her 18th across all competitions.

Portland in Challenge Cup Competition

Portland (1-1-0, 3pts) played its second match of the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. Playing alongside San Diego Wave FC, Angel City and OL Reign in the West Division, Thorns FC have four remaining matches in the group stage - OL Reign at home (June 28) and away (Aug. 6), San Diego at home (July 21) and ACFC away (July 29). Tonight marked the third match between Portland and Angel City in Challenge Cup play. The two sides split results in the 2022 Challenge Cup, each coming away with a win.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Michele Vasconcelos (Izzy D'Aquila), 23rd minute: From the right width, Izzy D'Aquila served a curling ball in behind Angel City's backline that dropped near the top of the box. Michele Vasconcelos sprinted forward and headed the ball off the bounce into the back of the net.

POR - Izzy D'Aquila (Olivia Moultrie), 46th minute: Standing over a Portland free kick outside of the left corner of the box, Olivia Moultrie dropped the ball just inside the six-yard box for Izzy D'Aquila to direct into the goal.

ACFC - Clarisse Le Bihan (Scarlett Camberos), 61st minute: Scarlett Camberos played a square ball across the top of the box to Clarisse Le Bihan, who took a touch onto her right foot and fired a shot into the right-side netting.

ACFC - Claire Emslie (penalty kick), 66th minute: Portland conceded a penalty kick through a foul in the box. Claire Emslie stepped up and converted the attempt for Angel City.

POR - Morgan Weaver (Christine Sinclair), 90+3 minute: From the left side of the box, Christine Sinclair chipped the ball toward the top of the six for Morgan Weaver, who flicked the ball behind her and into the goal.

Notes:

Portland (1-1-0, 3pts) played its second UKG Challenge Cup match tonight in the West Division.

Thorns FC have scored at least two goals in 2 of their last 14 home matches in all NWSL competitions.

Portland is 5-1-1 all-time in Challenge Cup games at Providence Park, including a pair of wins against Angel City FC.

Scoring the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute, Weaver notched her team-leading fourth Challenge Cup goal across all years.

Weaver and Debhina are the only NWSL players that have scored in every year of the tournament thus far.

It marked Weaver's fourth goal of 2023, and her 16th across all competitions for Thorns FC.

Portland has scored four stoppage time game-winning goals in its NWSL history and two of them have come through Weaver.

Vasconcelos made her Challenge Cup debut for Thorns FC, starting the match and scoring her first goal of 2023.

It marked Vasconcelos' second career goal with Thorns FC across all competitions.

D'Aquila earned her first professional start and goal contributions in the match, tallying an assist and goal.

Moultrie registered her first assist in the tournament and her third of 2023.

Sinclair appeared in her 200th game across all competitions for Thorns FC.

Sinclair recorded her first Challenge Cup assist and her 18th across all competitions.

Next Game

Thorns FC will return to regular season play this weekend as they travel to face OL Reign at Lumen Field on Saturday, June 3. The match will kick off at 5 p.m. (Pacific) with a national broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

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