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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Earn 1-1 Draw against FC Kansas City

April 24, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Behind a strong defensive effort in the second half and a goal from midfielder Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC earned a hard-fought point on the road with a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City at Swope Soccer Village in front of 3,022 fans on Saturday night.

Playing their first of four consecutive matches on the road, Thorns FC (1-0-1, 4pts) overcame a first-half deficit as Horan scored for a second straight match, while midfielder Tobin Heath added her third assist in two matches for Portland.

Goalkeeper Michelle Betos kept Kansas City off the scoresheet early in the match, making several key stops and saving a penalty kick in the 20th minute. Betos dove to her right, tipping midfielder Shea Groom's attempt from the spot off the post before the ball was cleared out of the box. Ten minutes later, Groom put FC Kansas City (0-1-1, 1pts) in front, converting a cross by Heather O'Reilly with a diving header in the 30th minute.

Pushing for an equalizer and playing with a player advantage after Groom picked up a second yellow card in the 47th minute, Thorns FC outshot Kansas City 8-2 and leveled the match in the 78th minute on a corner kick. Heath delivered a hard, driven ball to the back post and Horan headed the ball inside the far post past diving FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

Thorns FC created several additional goal scoring opportunities in the second half, including an argument for a penalty kick in the 56th minute after forward Hayley Raso was tackled from behind, but no penalty was awarded on the play. In the 81st minute, midfielder Allie Long dribbled through multiple defenders and fired a shot from inside the box just wide of the post, while Horan's curling effort from the left side of the box deep in second-half stoppage time missed just to the right of the far post.

Up next, Thorns FC travel to square off against the Boston Breakers on Sunday, May 1, at Jordan Field; kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday's match will be broadcast live via webstream at www.thornsfc.com.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 24, 2016


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