NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Register 2-0 Win against Kc NWSL at Providence Park

Published on August 1, 2021 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - With a pair of first half goals, Thorns FC earned a 2-0 win at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Portland extended its unbeaten streak to five games and recorded its league-leading eighth clean sheet of the season. Meghan Klingenberg helped create an own goal to give Thorns FC the lead 10 minutes into the match, while Marissa Everett scored her second goal of the campaign to secure Portland the victory.

Sharp In the Attack

Thorns FC (8-3-1, 25pts) lead the NWSL in goals scored (19), shots taken (244), shots on goal (84), and chances created (182). Nine different players have scored for Portland this season, and a league-high five different players (Simone Charley, Everett, Rocky Rodríguez, Christine Sinclair, Sophia Smith) have recorded multiple goals. Smith added her first career NWSL assist in the match, is the ninth player to tally an assist for Portland this season. Thorns FC have the most players with at least one assist in the NWSL in 2021.

Backline Dominance

Portland recorded its eighth clean sheet of the season, and league-best fifth shutout at home. Notably, Thorns FC have limited their opponents to the fewest shots on goal in the league (32), and have allowed the second-fewest goals this season (7). Goalkeeper Bella Bixby has four clean sheets in her first five games with Thorns FC in 2021, and six shutouts in nine career appearances across all competitions for Portland.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Own Goal (Kristen Edmonds), 10th minute: Smith played the ball out wide to Meghan Klingenberg, who darted up the left flank and served the ball across the face of the goal. Kansas City defender Kristen Edmonds attempted to clear the ball, but redirected it into the back of her own net.

POR - Marissa Everett (Sophia Smith), 42nd minute: Executing a short corner, Smith drove the ball in from the left side of the box to the near post for Everett, who helped it across the goal line with a touch off her thigh.

Notes:

Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to five games overall (4-0-1).

Portland recorded its eighth clean sheet of 2021, which leads the NWSL.

Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last five matches at home (4-0-1), and lead the league in home shutouts (5).

Portland is 3-0-0 across all competitions this year against KC NWSL.

Everett is the fifth Thorns FC player to record two or more goals this season.

Portland has the most players in the NWSL with two or more goals in 2021.

Everett's goal was her second this season, and third of her career.

Smith is the ninth player for Portland to tally an assist this year.

Thorns FC have the most players (9) with an assist in the league this season.

Portland leads the NWSL in goals (19), shots (244), shots on goal (84), and chances created (182).

Portland has not allowed a first half goal in its last nine matches.

Thorns FC have allowed just three goals in their last nine games, while posting seven shutouts.

Portland is 8-1-0 overall this season when scoring first.

Thorns FC attempted 20 or more shots for the eighth time this season.

Portland has scored within the first 15 minutes of a match six times this season.

Thorns FC have recorded 15 or more shots in 11 of their 12 regular-season matches.

Portland has recorded 10 or more chances in all 12 matches this season.

Meghan Klingenberg led the team in chances created (4), and leads the league this season with 33.

Raisa Strom-Okimoto made her Thorns FC debut.

Mark Parsons recorded his 77th career NWSL win, which ranks as the second-most wins in league history.

Next Game

Thorns FC will travel to face the Washington Spirit at Segra Field on Saturday, August 7. The match kicks off at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific), and will feature a live stream on Paramount+.

Video Highlights

Highlights of the match can be viewed.

Portland Thorns FC (8-3-1, 25pts) vs. KC NWSL (0-8-4, 4pts)

August 1, 2021 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 2 0 2

KC NWSL 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

POR: Kristen Edmonds (Own Goal), 10

POR: Everett (Smith), 42

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Moultrie (caution), 87

Lineups:

POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka (Westphal, 83), D Menges ©, D Hubly, D Klingenberg (Pogarch, 76), M Rodríguez, M Salem, M Boureille, M Everett (Moultrie, 75), F Charley (Nally, 84), F Smith (Strom-Okimoto, 90+3)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Betfort, M Porter

TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Smith, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Smith, 3); FOULS: 10 (Boureille, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: 2

KC: GK Rowland, D Weber, D Edmonds, D Corsie ©, D K. Pickett, M McCain (Larroquette, 73), M Vincent (Listro, 73), M V. Pickett, F Jenkins (Vasconcelos, 60), F Mace (LaBonta, 55), F Hamilton

Substitutes Not Used: GK Nelson, D Del Fava, M Nolf, F Johnson, F Ship

TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Hamilton, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Hamilton, Mace, 1); FOULS: 11 (Hamilton, V. Pickett, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 6

Referee: Samantha Martinez

Assistant Referees: Melissa Beck, CJ Koll

4th Official: Luis Trujillo

Attendance:16,246

Weather: Sunny, 79 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 1, 2021


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