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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Down Chicago Red Stars 4-0 at Providence Park

May 21, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC earned a 4-0 shutout win over the Chicago Red Stars at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Thorns FC opened the match with goals from Kelli Hubly, Crystal Dunn and Olivia Moultrie in the first 16 minutes of the match, while Natalia Kuikka sealed the win with the fourth goal just three minutes into the second half.

Goalscorers and Playmakers

Hubly recorded her first goal of the season and the second of her career for Thorns FC. Dunn scored her team-leading fifth goal in the match, and is tied with Ashley Hatch (WAS), Alex Morgan (SD) and Lynn Williams (NJNY) for the most in the NWSL. She also tallied her first assist of the campaign. It marked Dunn's second multi-goal contributing performance this year after recording a brace against North Carolina on May 6. Moultrie scored her second goal of the season, recording her fourth goal contribution for Portland in as many matches (2g, 2a). Moultrie and Sophia Smith are the only two players to record a goal contribution in four straight regular season matches this NWSL season. Kuikka scored her first goal of the season and the second of her career for Thorns FC. Sam Coffey tallied two assists in the match, bringing her season total to three, while Hina Sugita recorded her first assist of 2023.

Party at Providence Park

Portland is undefeated (3-0-2) at Providence Park in the 2023 campaign, and unbeaten in seven consecutive matches (5-0-2) at home dating back to the 2022 campaign. This season, Thorns FC have outscored their opponents 14-4 at home. Today's victory also marked Portland's third shutout win at Providence Park this year. Thorns FC have not conceded a regular-season goal at home against the Red Stars in five straight games, dating back to June of 2019, outscoring them 18-0 in that stretch.

Goals FC

Thorns FC scored three goals in the first 16 minutes of a regular season match for the third time in club history. No other team has done so once. Notably, Thorns FC did so against Chicago for a second time, after scoring three goals against them in 15 minutes and 22 seconds on May 16, 2021. Thorns FC have scored 22 goals this season, leading the league by a seven-goal frame (SD, 15G). Portland's 22 goals through eight games are five more than any other team has scored at this stage of a season in NWSL history. Dating back to the 2022 season, Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in nine of their last 11 regular season games, including three or more goals in eight of those matches, while also scoring a goal in 13 consecutive matches, tallying 34 in that span. Eleven different players have scored a goal this season for Portland, which is the most on any team in the league.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Kelli Hubly (Sam Coffey), 8th minute: From the middle of the field, Sam Coffey served a Portland free kick toward the far post. Landing at the edge of the six-yard box, Kelli Hubly volleyed a left-footed shot across the goal into right side of the net.

POR - Crystal Dunn (Hina Sugita), 14th minute: Hina Sugita shook off two Chicago defenders by cutting past them with the ball on the right side of the box and slotted a square pass to the center of the box. Crystal Dunn fired a one-touch shot into the back of the goal.

POR - Olivia Moultrie (Crystal Dunn), 16th minute: Crystal Dunn recovered the ball for Thorns FC near the corner of the 18-yard box and curled a pass behind Chicago's back line to find Olivia Moultrie, who tapped it into the net on her first touch.

POR - Natalia Kuikka (Sam Coffey), 48th minute: From the right wing, Sam Coffey delivered a cross to the back post. Natalia Kuikka jumped a headed the ball in for the goal.

Notes:

With the win, Portland remains unbeaten at home this season with a record of 3-0-2.

Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last seven home matches, dating back the 2022 season. During that span, Portland posted a record of 5-0-2 with five shutouts.

Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in four of their five home matches in 2023, outscoring their opponents 14-4.

Portland has scored a league-best 22 goals this campaign. Thorns FC have scored four goals in three matches in 2023.

Thorns FC have scored in their last 13 regular season games, tallying 34 goals during that span.

Portland scored multiple goals in six of their eight matches in 2023.

Dating back to the 2022 season, Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in nine of their last 11 regular season games, including three or more goals in eight of those games.

Eleven different players have scored a goal this season, which is the most by any team in the league.

Portland has had at least 10 different goal scorers in each of last four regular seasons.

Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last 12 regular season home matches (9-0-3) against Chicago.

Portland is 9-1-3 all-time at Providence Park in the regular season against the Red Stars, outscoring Chicago 33-11 in the series.

With today's win, Thorns FC have scored three goals in the first 16 minutes of a regular season match for the third time in club history.

The fastest three goals from kickoff in a regular season match in NWSL history are by Thorns FC: 10:13 against NJ/NY Gotham FC (7/16/22) and 15:22 against the Chicago Red Stars in today's match and also against Chicago on May 16, 2021.

Thorns FC have scored 13 first-half goals - the most in the NWSL this season.

Kelli Hubly recorded her first goal of the season and second for Thorns FC.

Crystal Dunn registered a goal and an assist in the match. The first time she has accomplished this with Thorns FC.

Dunn leads the team in goals with five and is tied for league best with Ashley Hatch (WAS) and Alex Morgan (SD).

It marked Dunn's second multi-goal contribution this season after recording a brace against on May 6 at North Carolina.

Olivia Moultrie scored her second goal of the season.

The 17-year-old has made goal contributions in four straight matches (2g, 2a) alongside Sophia Smith. The pair are the only two players to do so this season.

Natalia Kuikka scored her first goal of the season and second for Thorns FC.

Sam Coffey recorded her first career multi-assist game. She is the 12th different player to record a multi-assist game in club history. Coffey joins Sophia Smith as one of two Thorns FC players with a multi-assist game this season.

Coffey has three assists this season, which ranks as the second-most on the team.

Hina Sugita tallied her first assist of the 2023 regular season.

Bella Bixby recorded her third clean sheet of the season.

Next Game

Up next, Portland will travel to face San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, May 26. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Paramount+.

Portland Thorns FC (4-1-3, 15pts) vs. Chicago Red Stars (1-6-1, 4pts)

May 21, 2023 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 3 1 4

Chicago Red Stars 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

POR: Hubly (Coffey), 8

POR: Dunn (Sugita), 14

POR: Moultrie (Dunn), 16

POR: Kuikka (Coffey), 48

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Hubly (caution), 36

CHI: Bianchi (caution), 90

Lineups:

POR: GK Bixby ©, D Kuikka (Nally, 85), D Hubly (Reyes, 62), D Menges, D Klingenberg, M Coffey, M Dunn (Vasconcelos, 62), M Moultrie (Sinclair, 62), F Sugita, F Smith, F Weaver (D'Aquila, 73)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, M Porter, F Betfort, F Leon

TOTAL SHOTS: 22 (Smith, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 12 (Smith, 5); FOULS: 11 (Coffey, Sugita, 3); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 0

CHI: GK Naeher ©, D Wright (Aguilera, 65), D Davidson, D Krueger, D St-Georges, M Roccaro, M Nagasato, M Hocking (Stevens, 54), F Schlegel (Bianchi, 45), F Bike (Milazzo, 45), F Cook (Fisher, 77)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Boyd, D Kowalski, M Jones, M Starke

TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Cook, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 0 (0); FOULS: 7 (St-Georges, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 8

Referee: Tori Penso

Assistant Referees: Melissa Beck, Christian Clerc

Fourth Official: Jaclyn Metz

VAR: Malik Badwi

Weather: Cloudy, 65 degrees

Attendance: 20,402

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 21, 2023


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