NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Push Winning Streak to Four Games with 2-1 Win Against

Published on July 3, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Receiving goals from forward Nadia Nadim and midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Portland Thorns FC won their fourth straight match and pushed their unbeaten streak to 12 games with a 2-1, come-from-behind win against Sky Blue FC in front of 14,287 fans Saturday night at Providence Park.

Thorns FC's (7-0-5, 26pts) four straight wins ties the club record for consecutive victories, equaling the mark set by the Portland through the first four games of the 2013 season. In addition, Thorns FC remain unbeaten at home (4-0-1) this season, having outscored their opponents 10-3.

Trailing 1-0 after a 30th-minute goal from Sky Blue FC forward Tasha Kai, Portland rallied back to level the score in the 38th minute as Brynjarsdottir tallied her fourth goal of the season. Making a run towards the near post on a corner kick served into the box by Nadim, Brynjarsdottir flicked the ball just inside the left post.

Nadim had several scoring opportunities in the match, finishing with a game-high seven shots. Receiving a ball into space from defender Emily Menges, Nadim found herself one-on-one with Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Caroline Stanley, but Stanley was able to make the save. In the 57th minute, Nadim's header from close range off midfielder Mana Shim's corner kick skimmed off the crossbar.

Searching for another goal, midfielder Hayley Raso was tripped from behind as she attempted to dribble around a Sky Blue FC defender, earning Portland a penalty kick. Nadim stepped to the spot and delivered a well-placed strike into the left side of the goal, tallying her fourth goal of the season, giving Thorns FC a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute.

Thorns FC remained on the front foot and created additional scoring opportunities in the final 30 minutes of the match. Defender Katherine Reynolds' attempt from close range in the 66th minute was blocked, while Nadim had consecutive chances in the 80th minute, forcing a save on a shot inside the goal box and a second chance on a long-range attempt that skipped just wide of the left post.

Defensively, Portland did not allow a single shot on goal in the second half, while holding its opponent to five shots or fewer on goal for the ninth time this season.

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