NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Play to 3-3 Draw against North Carolina at Providence Park

Published on August 6, 2022 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC played to a thrilling 3-3 draw against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park on Friday night. Sophia Smith registered a brace while Morgan Weaver scored her third of the season to secure a point for Portland and extend its unbeaten run to 10 straight games.

Thorns' Form

Portland is now unbeaten in its last 10 games overall with a record of 5-0-5, and unbeaten at Providence Park in its last four games (3-0-1). The team's unbeaten run is the second longest in club history and the second streak of 10 or more games. Thorns FC went 12 games unbeaten from April 12-July 2 during the 2016 season. In the current unbeaten stretch, Portland has tallied multiple goals in nine of the 10 matches. In addition, Thorns FC have scored three or more goals in five of their eight home matches this season and have outscored their opponents 17-3 in their last four matches at Providence Park.

Golden Boot Race

Smith notched her third brace of the season bringing her season total to 11 goals, which is tied with San Diego Wave FC's Alex Morgan for the league lead. After tonight's result, Smith has scored or tallied an assist in each of the last seven games (9g, 2a) she has appeared in for Thorns FC. Notably, Smith has registered a goal in each of her last five matches with Portland, totaling eight. The 21-year-old attacker is the youngest player in league history to score 10 or more goals in a single season and is now tied with Jessica McDonald for the second-most goals scored in a season (11 - 2014) in club history, trailing only Lindsey Horan who scored 13 goals during the 2018 season.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Sophia Smith, 8th minute: Sophia Smith won the ball in Portland's offensive half and dribbled toward the top of the box. Taking on three Courage defenders, Smith cut through them onto her right foot and fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal.

POR - Morgan Weaver, 24th minute: From the right wing, Hina Sugita curled a cross toward the penalty spot. Christine Sinclair ran onto it, sending a shot toward the far post. North Carolina goalkeeper Casey Murphy made a diving save but Morgan Weaver pounced on the loose ball and poked it into the goal.

NCC - Diana Ordoñez (Carson Pickett), 61st minute: Carson Pickett sent in a corner kick for the Courage and Diana Ordoñez headed it just inside of the far post.

NCC - Diana Ordoñez (Ryan Williams), 72nd minute: Dribbling up the right side of the field, Ryan Williams served a cross into the box for Ordoñez, who fired a header into the back of the net.

POR - Sophia Smith (Olivia Moultrie), 77th minute: Olivia Moultrie weaved through pressure in the midfield and slipped a pass behind North Carolina's defensive line. Running onto it, Smith dribbled into the box and cut around Murphy, placing a shot just inside of the post.

NCC - Jaelene Daniels, 85th minute: Meredith Speck dribbled inside toward the middle of the field and played a low skipping ball near the six-yard box. Jaelene Daniels attempted a one-touch shot that was blocked by Bella Bixby but managed to push the loose ball over the goal line.

Notes:

Portland is unbeaten in its last 10 matches overall, posting a record of 5-0-5.

The team's unbeaten run is the second-longest in club history. Thorns FC went 12 games unbeaten from April 12-July 2 during the 2016 season.

Thorns FC have scored multiple goals in nine of their last 10 matches.

Portland has outscored its opponents 17-3 in their last four matches at Providence Park.

Thorns FC have scored three or more goals in five of their eight home matches this season.

North Carolina's 61st minute goal snapped a 354-minute shutout streak at Providence Park.

Sophia Smith notched a brace and now leads the team and is tied for the league lead in goals (11).

Smith has a goal or an assist (9g, 2a) in her last seven appearances for Portland.

Smith has registered a goal in each of her last five matches with Portland, totaling eight.

It marked Smith's league-leading third brace of the 2022 campaign.

Smith is the second player in the league to score 11 goals in 11 appearances this season (Alex Morgan) but did so in fewer minutes played.

Smith is now the youngest player in league history to score 10 or more goals in a regular season.

Smith is tied with Jessica McDonald for most goals scored in a season (11 - 2014) in club history, behind Lindsey Horan (13 - 2018).

Morgan Weaver tallied her third goal of the season.

Weaver has made a goal contribution in three straight games for Portland (2G, 2A).

Kelli Hubly and Hina Sugita are the only two players to appear in all 14 matches for Portland.

Hubly is the only player to start every match for Thorns FC, playing every minute of the first 14 matches.

Tegan McGrady earned her first start and Providence Park debut for Thorns FC.

Next Game

Portland will face a quick turnaround to play the Washington Spirit on the road on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at Segra Field. Kick off is set for 4:30 p.m. (Pacific) and will be streamed on Paramount+.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 6, 2022


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