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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Shut out Expansion Side San Diego Wave FC 1-0 in Challenge Cup

March 27, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Portland Thorns FC shut out expansion side San Diego Wave FC 1-0 at Torero Stadium on Saturday night. Sophia Smith recorded the game winner, assisted by Natalia Kuikka. Abby Smith helped keep a clean sheet in her debut for Portland. Thorns FC are unbeaten in the 2022 Challenge Cup (1-0-1) through two road matches, and now return to Providence Park for a stretch of three consecutive home matches.

Unbeaten Streaks

Portland is unbeaten in seven straight Challenge Cup matches (4-0-3), dating back to the 2021 tournament. Thorns FC are also unbeaten on the road in Challenge Cup play (2-0-2). Dating back to 2014, Portland has compiled a record of 8-0-0 against new expansion sides in their first season in the league with five of those matches being played on the road.

Debuts and Firsts

Thorns FC recorded their first win of 2022 competition. The win also marked the team's first with Rhian Wilkinson at the helm. Sophia Smith registered her first Challenge Cup goal for Portland, while Natalia Kuikka tallied her first assist in the Challenge Cup. Abby Smith made her Thorns FC debut, starting the match and keeping a clean sheet. Natalie Beckman subbed into the match in the second half, making her professional and Thorns FC debut. Taylor Porter made her Challenge Cup debut with Portland.

Goal-Scoring Plays

POR - Sophia Smith (Natalia Kuikka), 5th minute: Christine Sinclair threaded a pass into the 18-yard box for Natalia Kuikka. Playing a quick one-touch pass back across the mouth of the goal, Kuikka found the feet of Sophia Smith, who knocked it in at the near post.

Notes:

Thorns FC earned their first win of 2022 competition.

Head coach Rhian Wilkinson registered her first win at the helm of Thorns FC.

Portland claimed the win in the first ever matchup between Thorns FC and San Diego Wave.

Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last seven Challenge Cup matches (4-0-3).

Portland is unbeaten on the road in Challenge Cup play (2-0-2).

Dating back to 2014, Portland has compiled a record of 8-0-0 against new expansion sides in their first season in the league.

Thorns FC are 5-0-0 when playing expansion teams in their first season on the road.

Portland earned its first clean sheet of the year, and sixth in a Challenge Cup match.

Sophia Smith scored her first goal in a Challenge Cup match for Portland.

S. Smith's goal was her ninth in 33 appearances for Portland across all competitions.

Natalia Kuikka tallied her first Challenge Cup assist with Portland.

Natalie Beckman made her professional and Thorns FC debut, subbing into the match in the second half.

Abby Smith made her Thorns FC debut, starting the match.

A. Smith is the fourth goalkeeper to feature for Thorns FC in a Challenge Cup match and earn a clean sheet. (Bixby, Eckerstrom, Franch, A. Smith)

Taylor Porter made her Challenge Cup debut for Portland.

Meghan Klingenberg started in her 13th Challenge Cup appearance with Portland. She is the only player to start and play in every match of the Challenge Cup for the club since the tournament began in 2020.

Morgan Weaver appeared in her 13th Challenge Cup game with Thorns FC. She joins Klingenberg as the only other player to appear in all of Portland's Challenge Cup matches.

Next Game

Thorns FC return home to host Angel City FC at Providence Park on March 30; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Paramount+.

Portland Thorns FC (1-0-1, 4pts) vs. San Diego Wave FC (0-1-1, 1pt)

(NWSL Challenge Cup)

March 26, 2022 - Torero Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)

Goals by Half 1 2 F

Portland Thorns FC 1 0 1

San Diego Wave FC 0 0 0

Scoring Summary:

POR: S. Smith (Kuikka), 5

Misconduct Summary:

POR: Klingenberg (caution), 46

Lineups:

POR: GK A. Smith, D Hubly, D Menges, D Nally, M Kuikka, M Coffey, M Klingenberg (Beckman, 84), M Ryan (Porter, 77), M Sugita (Moultrie, 61), F S. Smith (Weaver, 61), F Sinclair ©

Substitutes Not Used: GK Bixby, D Pogarch, D Provenzano, M Everett, F Betfort

SD: GK Sheridan, D McGrady, D Girma, D Dahlkemper © (Riehl, 70), D Westphal, M McNabb, M Kornieck (Ali, 46), M Johnson (van Egmond, 46), M Turnbow (Briede 62), F Morgan (Taylor, 70), F Jakobsson (Schimmer, 78)

Substitutes Not Used: GK Telford, D Hansen, M Pulver

Referee: Luis Guardia

Assistant Referees: Mathew Schwartz, Rebecca Luther

4th Official: Fernando Fierro

Attendance: 6,000

Weather: Partly cloudy, 70 degrees

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 27, 2022


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