NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Earn 2-0 Win over Washington Spirit

Published on May 19, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Forward duo Christine Sinclair and Alex Morgan each scored a goal as Portland Thorns FC defeated the Washington Spirit 2-0 before a crowd of 12,474 at JELD-WEN Field on Sunday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made three saves, helping guide Thorns FC to their third shutout of the inaugural National Women's Soccer League season. Portland earned its league-leading fifth win in seven matches, registering 14 shots against the Spirit.

Thorns FC (5-1-1, 16pts) found the lead four minutes from halftime as Sinclair tallied her third goal of the season. Midfielder Allie Long collected a loose ball outside the penalty box and delivered a cross to Sinclair on the right edge of the area. Sinclair settled the ball and took two touches to the inside before bending a left-footed shot to the far post for a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute. Long's assist was her first of the year.

Sinclair nearly added a second goal before halftime after Morgan did well to maintain possession in the box before threading a pass to the Canadian international at the top of the area. Keeping the ball following a challenge, Sinclair pulled her shot wide of the target.

Morgan doubled the Thorns FC lead in the 86th minute with her team-leading fourth goal of the season. Following a Spirit free kick near midfield, second-half substitute Courtney Wetzel intercepted a Robin Gayle pass in the Thorns FC defensive third and quickly sent a through pass ahead to Morgan, splitting two defenders. Morgan reached the ball first, dribbled into the penalty box and slotted a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper.

The goal was the fourth in six games for the U.S. Women's National Team forward.

Washington goalkeeper Chantel Jones made a game-high six saves, making her NWSL debut for the Spirit (1-3-3, 6pts). Midfielder Diana Matheson and defender Ali Krieger attempted a team-high two shots each as Washington ended its two-game, Pacific Northwest swing with a 1-1-0 record after a 4-2 win against Seattle Reign FC on Thursday.

Despite a good amount of possession, the Spirit were unable to seriously threaten Thorns FC goalkeeper LeBlanc, attempting just three shots on goal. Krieger came closest to scoring for Washington in the 31st minute when she found herself unmarked on the right side of the box. The U.S. Women's National Team defender fired an effort on goal, forcing LeBlanc to punch the ball over the crossbar.

Making her second consecutive substitute appearance, Thorns FC midfielder Angie Kerr was denied a goal in the 80th minute on a diving stop from Jones. Sinclair dribbled to the end line before cutting a pass back toward the top of the box. A Washington defender deflected the ball to Kerr, who attempted a strong shot in-stride that was saved by Jones.

Sunday's match was the second of two regular-season meetings between the teams this year. Portland earned a 2-1 road win on May 4 against the Spirit as Morgan and midfielder Nikki Washington recorded goals in the second match of a three-game road trip.

Thorns FC take to the road on Saturday, May 25, against Cascadia-rival Seattle Reign FC at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.; kickoff is 7 p.m. Fans can follow the game live via a web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.

Notes:

* Courtney Wetzel recorded her first career NWSL assist on Sunday. Wetzel has appeared in six of seven matches as a second-half sub for Thorns FC.

* Allie Long registered her first career NWSL assist on Christine Sinclair's go-ahead goal in the 41st minute.

* Portland has earned a win in five of its first seven matches.

* Alex Morgan has attempted five or more shots in three straight matches, and has recorded a goal in four of the team's last six games.

* Portland's 11 goals rank first in the league.

* Forward Jessica Shufelt made her first appearance at JELD-WEN Field for Thorns FC, entering the match as a late sub for Allie Long.

* Morgan is tied for first in the league in goals (4), and leads all players in shots (31) and shots on goal (20) following Sunday's game.

* Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc's 0.57 goals-against average leads the league and her three shutouts is tied for the lead (with FC Kansas City's Nicole Barnhart and Sky Blue FC's Brittany Cameron).

* Thorns FC have registered 10 or more shots in six straight games.

* Portland is 5-0-0 when scoring the game's opening goal.

* Thorns FC have scored two goals in each of the team's five wins this season.

* Portland is 3-0-0 in games played on Sunday.

* Sinclair's goal in the 41st minute marked Portland's third goal overall scored in the final 15 minutes of the first half, the most of any period in a game this season.

* Washington goalkeeper Chantel Jones made her NWSL debut on Sunday, replacing regular starter Ashlyn Harris.

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