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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Earn Hard-Fought 2-1 Road Win Against Racing Louisville FC

July 29, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Portland Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to nine games with a 2-1 road win against Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Stadium on Friday night. Hina Sugita tallied her fourth goal of the season, netting the game-winning goal in the 74th minute as Portland remains unbeaten on the road in 2022.

Unbeaten Run

With the win, Portland is unbeaten in its last nine games overall (5-0-4). During that stretch, Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in eight of their nine matches. Portland is the only team that is unbeaten on the road this season, improving to 2-0-4 away from Providence Park. Notably, Thorns FC have not lost on the road in NWSL regular season play since Sept. 25, 2021.

Smith Form

Despite missing the last three matches due to international duty, Smith registered her ninth goal in 10 NWSL regular season games played for Portland in 2022. With the goal, Smith has scored or tallied an assist in each of the last six games (7g, 2a) she has appeared in for Thorns FC. She has a goal in each of her last four matches with Portland, while also scoring at least one goal in each of her last four road matches with Thorns FC.

Returns and Firsts

Following international duty, several players made their return to the lineup in tonight's match. Becky Sauerbrunn, Sophia Smith and Natalia Kuikka all started the match for Thorns FC. Kuikka played 45 minutes in her first game back with Portland since she departed in June for the 2022 EUROs. Smith logged 85 minutes in her first game back since the Concacaf W Championship, while Sauerbrunn played all 90 minutes. Rocky Rodríguez played 21 minutes as a second-half substitute and Sam Coffey logged 45 minutes, entering the match to begin the second half. Newly acquired defender Tegan McGrady made her Thorns FC debut, logging 45 minutes.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Sophia Smith (Morgan Weaver), 7th minute: Morgan Weaver played the ball down the left side for Sophia Smith, who turned toward the middle of the field. Smith dribbled down the left side of the box and fired a shot from a tight angle inside the right post.

LOU - Alex Chidiac (Jaelin Howell), 29th minute: Chidiac received the ball near the endline on the left side, dribbled along the endline and finished from a tight angle at the left post.

POR - Hina Sugita, 74th minute: Smith played the ball to Rocky Rodríguez near the top of the box. Rodríguez fired a shot that was saved by Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund, but Hina Sugita pounced on the rebound and converted from close range.

Notes:

Portland is unbeaten in its last nine matches overall, posting a record of 5-0-4.

Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in eight of their last nine matches.

Portland is the only unbeaten team on the road this season in the NWSL, improving 2-0-4.

Thorns FC have scored a league-best 13 goals on the road this season.

Portland has not lost on the road in NWSL regular season play since Sept. 25, 2021.

Sophia Smith has goal or an assist (7g, 2a) in her last six matches for Portland.

Smith recorded her ninth goal of the season and the 16th of her Thorns FC career.

With 16 goals, Smith now ranks fourth all-time in career goals scored for Portland.

Smith's nine goals are tied for fourth-most in a single season in club history.

Smith has scored in each of her last four road appearances, tallying five goals.

Smith's five goals on the road are tied for the most in the NWSL this season with Alex Morgan.

Hina Sugita tallied her fourth goal of the season. Three of her four goals have come on the road.

Sugita joins Smith and Christine Sinclair as one of three players with at least four goals for Thorns FC in 2022.

Morgan Weaver registered an assist for a second straight match.

Weaver recorded her second assist of the season. She is the seventh player to record multiple assists for Portland this campaign.

Tegan McGrady made her Thorns FC debut, playing 45 minutes as a substitute.

Portland improved to 3-0-0 all-time against Racing Louisville.

Thorns FC have outscored Louisville by a margin of 7-1 in their three meetings.

Kelli Hubly and Hina Sugita are the only two players to appear in every match this season for Portland.

Hubly is the only player to start every match for Thorns FC, playing every minute of the first 13 matches.

Next Game

Portland returns home to play host to the North Carolina Courage on Friday, Aug. 5, at Providence Park. The Aug. 5 match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific) and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 29, 2022


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