NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Earn 2-1 Come-From-Behind Road Win Against Washington Spirit

Published on August 11, 2022 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


LEESBURG, Va. - Trailing 1-0 late in the second half, Portland Thorns FC scored a pair of unanswered goals in the final seven minutes to secure a 2-1 come-from-behind win on the road against the Washington Spirit at Segra Field on Wednesday night. Christine Sinclair leveled the match with her fifth goal of the season in the 84th minute, while Morgan Weaver notched the game-winning goal in 92nd minute to extend the team's unbeaten run to 11 games.

Unbeaten 11

With the win, Thorns FC (7-1-7, 28pts) extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, improving to 6-0-5. Thorns FC are one game shy of tying the record for the longest unbeaten streak in club history set during the 2016 campaign. Dating back to the 2021 season, Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last nine road games (4-0-5). Portland has not lost a road match in NWSL regular season play since Sept. 25, 2021.

Road Tested

Portland remains unbeaten on the road in 2022, improving to 3-0-4 away from Providence Park. Thorns FC have scored 15 goals on the road this season, which is tied for the most in the league with the Houston Dash. Notably, Portland has won three of its last five road matches. Thorns FC have scored in all seven of their road matches this season, tallying multiple goals in six of those games.

Goal Scorers

Sinclair tallied her fifth goal of the season, while Weaver recorded her fourth goal of the 2022 campaign. Weaver has three goals in her last four games for Portland. Sinclair's five goals rank as the second-most goals on the team this season. Weaver is one of four players for Thorns FC with four or more goals this season, joining Sinclair along with Sophia Smith (11) and Hina Sugita (4). Portland's four players with four or more goals this season is best in the NWSL.

Goal-Scoring Plays

WSH - Own goal (Bella Bixby), 76th minute: Washington's Ashley Hatch connected with a powerful header off a Spirit corner kick. Bixby was able to collect the ball, but her momentum carried her into the goal with the ball.

POR - Christine Sinclair, 84th minute: Off a corner kick, Kelli Hubly delivered a looping half volley from inside the box that ricocheted off the right post. Christine Sinclair came surging forward and converted at the goal line.

POR - Morgan Weaver (Hina Sugita), 90+2: Hina Sugita played the ball to Morgan Weaver near the right edge of the goal box. Weaver turned and dribbled straight across the box before delivering a low, curling strike into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Notes:

Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games with a record of 6-0-5 during the stretch.

Portland is the only unbeaten team on the road in the NWSL in 2022 with a record of 3-0-4.

Thorns FC have not lost on the road in NWSL regular season play in nine games (4-0-5), dating back to Sept. 25, 2021.

Portland has won three of its last five road matches.

Thorns FC have scored in all seven of their road matches in 2022, scoring multiple goals in six of those games.

Portland has scored 15 goals on the road this season, which is tied for the most in the league with the Houston Dash.

Christine Sinclair scored her fifth goal of the season.

Sinclair has scored five or more goals in eight of her nine NWSL regular seasons.

With the goal tonight, Sinclair has scored five or more goals in six consecutive regular seasons.

Morgan Weaver recorded her fourth goal of the season.

Weaver has three goals and two assists in her last four games for Thorns FC.

Weaver is now one of four players with four or more goals for Portland this season, joining Sophia Smith (11), Christine Sinclair (5) and Hina Sugita (4).

Portland has the most players (4) in the league with four or more goals this season.

Weaver's game-winning goal in the 92nd minute is the second-latest game-winning goal in club history. Only Tyler Lussi's game winner (94th minute) against the Orlando Pride in 2019 occurred later in the match.

Hina Sugita recorded her second assist of the 2022 campaign.

Sugita is the eighth player to record multiple assists for Portland this season.

Thorns FC have the most players (8) with multiple assists this season in the NWSL.

Portland has won 12 of their 22 regular season meetings against the Spirit. That is the fourth-most wins in a single fixture in NWSL history, behind the Reign versus Houston (15), Portland against Houston (14) and the Reign versus Thorns FC (13).

Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last five regular season matches (3-0-2) against the Spirit, including consecutive road wins at Segra Field.

Next Game

Portland will take a break from NWSL action and play host to the Women's International Champions Cup at Providence Park on Wednesday, Aug. 17, against C.F. Monterrey; kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Pacific) with broadcast details to be announced.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 11, 2022


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