NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Register 3-1 Win over Washington Spirit

Published on August 18, 2019 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Receiving goals from three different players, Portland Thorns FC recorded a 3-1 win over the Washington Spirit in front of 20,895 fans at Providence Park on Saturday night. Hayley Raso and Emily Sonnett both tallied goals in the opening 20 minutes of the match, while Christine Sinclair notched her team-leading eighth goal of the season in the second half to help Portland secure the win.

Goal-scorers

With goals from Raso, Sonnett and Sinclair, Thorns FC increased their season total to 36 goals scored. Portland has scored 35 or more goals in each of the last four seasons. Raso tallied her fourth goal of the season, with all four coming at Providence Park. Sinclair scored her eighth goal of the season, which is tied for the second-most in the NWSL this season. Sonnett registered her second goal of the 2019 campaign. She is the seventh player to tally multiple goals for Thorns FC in 2019.

Assist leader

Tobin Heath notched her fourth assist of the season and the 25th of her NWSL career. With the assist, Heath became the NWSL's all-time career leader in assists. Heath's four assists in 2019 are tied for the third-most in the league.

Against Washington

Saturday's match marked the 18th meeting all-time between Portland and Washington in the regular season. Thorns FC improved to 10-3-5 all-time against Washington. The team's 10 wins against the Spirit is tied for the most against a single opponent, with Portland also remaining unbeaten in nine matches at Providence Park against Washington, posting a record of 6-0-3.

Key plays

Portland took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute. Sinclair received the ball in space making a run down the left side of the field. She played a crossed to the center of the box for Dagny Brynjarsdottir, but Washington cleared the ball to the edge of the box. Raso pounced on the loose ball, sending a curling strike into the left corner of the goal.

In the 19th minute, Heath dribbled up field and played a perfectly weighted through ball in behind the Spirit's backline for Raso running down the right side. Raso dribbled into the box and fired a shot from a tight angle near the right post, forcing a save by Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

On the corner kick that followed, Heath served the ball to the near post for Sonnett, who converted from close range at the right post to put Thorns FC ahead 2-0 in the 19th minute.

Portland created another chance off a set piece in the 22nd minute. Heath played a corner kick short to Raso inside the box and she fired a low, hard shot that was saved by Bledsoe.

Thorns FC came close to scoring a third goal in the 59th minute on a set piece. Heath played a low, driven ball into the box for Sonnett flashing across the box toward the left post. Sonnett got a touch and attempted to fire a shot from close range, but Washington's Andi Sullivan tracked back to make the block.

Portland increased its lead to 3-0 in the 63rd minute on a corner kick. Heath delivered a ball to the center of the box. Lindsey Horan got the initial touch with a header that was deflected by a Spirit defender near the goal line. The ball bounced to Sinclair, who calmly chipped the shot into the back of the net.

Sullivan added a goal for Washington in the 68th minute, unleashing a long-range strike into the top right corner of the goal to make it a 3-1 match.

Next match

Concluding at three-game homestand, Thorns FC play host to the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Providence Park. Beginning at 12 noon (Pacific), the match features a national television broadcast on ESPNEWS.

Notes:

Thorns FC extended their home unbeaten streak to five matches, with a record of 4-0-1.

Saturday's match featured a crowd of 20,895 - marking the club's third match this season with an attendance of 20,000 or more fans.

Portland has scored 19 goals in the first half of matches this season, which ranks as the most in the league. Five of those goals have come in the opening 15 minutes.

Thorns FC have scored 36 goals this season. Portland has scored 35 or more goals in four consecutive seasons.

Hayley Raso tallied her fourth goal of the season. All four of her goals have come at Providence Park.

With her goal, Raso now has 12 career goals for Portland, which ranks as the sixth-most in Thorns FC history.

Emily Sonnett scored her second goal of the season. She is now the seventh player to tally multiple goals this season for Portland.

Seven players have scored two or more goals for Portland this season, which is tied for the most goal-scorers with multiple goals in a single season in club history.

Tobin Heath recorded her 25th career assist in the match. Her 25 assists ranks first all-time in NWSL history.

Heath recorded her fourth assist of the season, which is tied for third-most in the NWSL.

Christine Sinclair tallied her eighth goal of the season, which is tied for the second-most in the NWSL.

With her eighth goal, it marks the third time in seven seasons Sinclair has scored at least eight goals in a campaign.

Thorns FC improved to 10-3-5 all-time against Washington. Portland's 10 wins against the Spirit are tied for the most wins against a single opponent.

Thorns FC are unbeaten in nine matches (6-0-3) against Washington at Providence Park.

Portland Thorns FC (9-3-6, 33pts) vs. Washington Spirit (6-7-3, 21pts)

Aug. 17, 2019 - Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 2 1 3

Washington Spirit 0 1 1

Scoring Summary:

POR: Raso, 5

POR: Sonnett (Heath), 19

POR: Sinclair, 63

WSH: Sullivan (Lavelle), 68

Misconduct Summary:

WSH: Kellond-Knight (caution), 58

Lineups:

POR: GK Franch, D Carpenter (Reynolds, 61), D Sonnett, D Menges, D Klingenberg, M Brynjarsdottir (Ball, 83), M Horan, M Sinclair ©, F Raso, F Purce (Foord, 71), F Heath

Substitutes Not Used: GK Eckerstrom, M Ogle, F Crnogorcevic, F Charley

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Horan, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Raso, 3); FOULS: 8 (Carpenter, Raso, 2); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4

WSH: GK Bledsoe, D Huster, D Nielsen, D Staab, D Kellond-Knight (Bailey, 64), M Lavelle, M Dougherty-Howard (Logarzo, 63), M DiBiasi, M Sullivan ©, F Hatch, F Thomas

Substitutes Not Used: GK Yanez, D Crosson, D Harrison, F Ship, F Farquharson

TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Sullivan, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Lavelle, Sullivan, 2); FOULS: 12 (Four players tied, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 3

Referee: Michael Radchuk

Assistant Referees: Melissa Gonzalez, Deleana Quan

4th Official: Hunter France

Attendance: 20,895

Weather: Cloudy, 69 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial

Check out the Portland Thorns FC Statistics

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