Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns 1-1 San Diego Wave

The Thorns pull off the draw and reclaim their spot at first in the NWSL.

The Thorns fought to the end and came away with a draw in San Diego. Both goals came late in the match after a largely Thorn-dominated first half. The wave scored first when Sofia Jakobsson found herself one on one with Bella. Her first touch was saved by our keeper but the rebound fell nicely at Jakobsson’s feet where she netted the ball. Shortly after though the Thorns rookie Reyna Reyes scored her professional debut goal on a corner sent in from Coffey (the Thorns’ 10th I may add).

Because of this win the Thorns return to their top spot in the NWSL standings.

The starting line-up for The Thorns:

Media credit: Thorns FC

How it happened:

1’ Kick-off: The Wave started the match, but The Thorns were quick to collect possession.

2’ Corner kick for the thorns, Coffey served it into the box but it’s headed up and away by the wave. Dunn recollects the ball and crosses it in, it’s barely parried away and the Thorns earn another corner. Smith collects it and goes for goal herself — it trickled out for a goal-kick.

6’ Kuikka took the ball to the goal line after collecting a pass from Sugita, she crossed it in looking for Smith. She got on it but her shot went zinging off the crossbar.

11’ Alex Morgan almost scored after a cross in but Bixby was able to smother it.

11’ Weaver with some good work in the run of play found Smith who returned the ball with a little back-heel-flick. Weaver was a little late to it and the ball was deflected.

13’ Jakobsson for The Wave almost got a cross off but the Thorn’s backline stepped in and cleared the ball away

15’ Bixby smothered another attempt from Jakobsson, this time she shot the ball from the top of the 18. The Thorns were light on the defense there.

17’ Westphal’s pass into the box was easily cleared out but Portland but San Diego earned a throw-in. It leads to 3 for the wave before Reyes blocked a run and gave up a corner. Good defending on her part. The wave sent the corner in but it’s blocked and finally cleared. They pause to check a possible handball from Weaver — but her hands were against her body and nothing came of it.

19’ The wave took their second corner and it was again served into the box where the Thorns were able to stop the run of play. Dunn intercepted the ball and took off up the field. Smith, however, earned a yellow card after a hard tackle and the wave collected their ball.

25’ Sugita almost netted the first goal but Sheridan smothered it. Coffey sent a cross in and Sugita got to it, Sheridan did well to stop that attack.

27’ The Thorns continued the onslaught with Sinclair and Weaver working on top of the 18, Sinc found Smith who’s shot was parried away by Sheridan. Coffey sent the corner in and it was cleared out for a second corner. Coffey sent this one too — it was sent over everyone but Reyes collected it on the other side. Eventually, their play is stopped by an offside call.

Media credit: Thorns FC

31’ Reyes was dragged down by Alex Morgan and she was quick to send the ball upfield where it found Weaver. She in turn looked towards the Wave’s 18 but the ball was cleared away by Jakobsson.

32’ The Thorns collect another corner — Coffey sends this one into the box where after a few it’s kicked out for a goal-kick.

39’ And another corner for The Thorns (this is their seventh). Coffey sends it in and Sinclair kept it from going out but Hubly sent it over the bar.

41’ Bixby grabbed a cross from Doniak and held on to it as she faced Morgan running at her.

42’ Smith sends a rocket in from outside the 18 but the ball goes over. The shot came after Portland worked to keep possession and it almost paid off.

HALFTIME

No changes from either team going into the second half.

45’ The Thorns began the second half with kickoff, they begin with a long ball that San Diego collected.

46’ Jakobsson found her way to the Portland corner where she sent a cross in looking for a navy jersey, luckily no one got on it and Sugita cleared it away.

47’ Quickly on the other end Smith ditched two of her defenders and just sent the shot wide. Sheridan looked like she was glad that one wasn’t on target.

48’ Weaver had a shot on frame that Sheridan had to reach to save. The deflection is sent just slightly behind Smith, instead, Dunn collected and passed to Sinclair whose shot went over the crossbar.

49’ Alex Morgan found herself in the box with the ball after an amazing service in from Sheridan. Luckily the Thorns’ backline (pretty much all of them) were able to clear the ball out of bounds and out of danger. The wave corner after that was sent in and quickly neutralized.

51’ Coffey sent a freekick into the 18 but it was just a bit behind Sinclair’s run. Kuikka has space but doesn’t shoot and it goes out for a goal kick.

54’ The Wave made the first sub as Kornieck replaced Doniak.

57’ The Thorns almost found their first goal but Sheridan parried away the cross. Dunn collected the rebound and fired a shot in again but this time Sheridan collected the ball.

59’ Sugita sent another ball in that Sheridan parried away and the ball bounced around a bit before it was grabbed by Sheridan.

60’ Bixby had to reach to clear a cross in after San Diego earned a corner. It was finally played out for a goal kick. Bella sent it to the halfway line where Portland drew a free kick.

65’ Kornieck took down Coffey in what could have been a yellow but instead she just a warning from the ref. Before Bixby sent it upfield Moultrie replaced Sinclair in the midfield.

71’ Moultrie almost put away a goal in her first play on the pitch but Sheridan yet again ruins the party with a good last-minute save.

74’ The Wave made some subs — Pogarch replaced Colaprioco and Shaw came on for Hill.

75’ Bixby saved the day after diving across the goal to deny Alex Morgan.

78’ Vasconcelos replaced Sugita

78’ Korniack finally picked up her yellow after taking out Kuikka, it wasn’t the most concrete foul but hey, I’ll take it.

79’ Portland seemed to ramp up the intensity as Weaver ripped a shot off and earned the Thorns a corner. It was sent in by Coffey yet again and it was cleared away. Weaver settled it but can’t keep it.

82’ McNaab picked up a yellow for her foul on Dunn. Coffey played the free kick short to Hubly.

85’ SD with the goal from Jakobsson. Bixby came out and made the initial save but the rebound fell right at Jakobsson’s feet. Portland 0-1 SD…

88’ Alex Morgan almost made it two but it went just barely over the crossbar. D’Aquila replaced Dunn as well.

90’ Portland with their 10th corner, AND THEY NETTED THE GOAL. Reyes put away her first professional goal for the Thorns! Portland 1-1 SD.

Media credit: NWSL Twitter

Three minutes of stoppage were added.

90+3’ Waves with a late surge found Morgan on a header but nothing comes of it.

The final whistle blows and the Thorns cinch first.

The Thorns return home Wednesday, May 31st to take on Angel City in the Challenge Cup. The game will be streamed on Paramount+ at 7:30 PST.