Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns 1-0 Gotham FC
In a race to clinch a playoff spot Portland beat Gotham 1-0 to go top of the table.
This match was a big one for the Portland Thorns, after failing to secure a playoff spot last week after a loss to San Diego, the Thorns needed a win on Saturday, Oct. 7.
This was another close matchup as the Thorns went into the match in the no. 2 spot and Gotham held the no. 3. Both teams were still fighting for a home playoff match and first round bye in the NWSL playoffs.
The match started out with an intensity that we didn’t see in the last Thorns match. The action started with Olivia Moultrie, who after a series of dribbles sought to find Hine Sugita — and that seemed to be how the match was destined to go. Both teams found chances and the quick pace led to some tough challenges.
Fans weren’t happy when in the 20th minute Betfort was dragged down in the box and there wasn’t a call. That unhappiness was bolstered when a few minutes later Dunn was taken out miles off the ball in the box and yet again nothing was called.
While the half was largely back and forth the Thorns nearly had a few goals after close chances from Sugita and Moultrie, however, nothing found the back of the net and the Thorns headed into half 0-0.
Heading into the second half the Thorns were on the front foot and the go-ahead goal punctuated that. Sugita finally found her opportunity with a header off of a beautiful cross by Sam Coffey.
The game remained fast-paced and the teams battled back and forth, Gotham hoping to equalize, and the Thorns holding onto the lead. Olivia Moultrie played so well, not only having a few attempts on goal but also blocking a potential goal opportunity for Gotham.
In the 60th minute, Becky Sauerbrunn made way for Kelly Hubli. It was a hot day in Portland, and keeping the defense fresh was key. Going up against Esther Gonzalez, Midge Purce, and Lynn Williams is no easy feat.
Providence Park came together for a beautiful moment when first Sinead Farrelly and then later Mana Shim subbed in for Gotham. After all that they have been through to see them return to the pitch here was a big moment.
While there were no more goals in the game, Reyna Reyes, Rocky Rodriguez, and Christine Sinclair all subbed in bringing fresh legs to the pitch. But the big substitution moment of the match came in the 83rd minute with the return of Sophia Smith!
In the dying embers of the match, Bella Bixby came up with a big save in stoppage time to secure the playoff spot for Portland.
At the end of the match, Morgan Weaver was honored with the Rose City Riverters’ Player of the Year award.
Highlights
Final Thoughts:
This match finally felt like the Thorns we had been missing since the SD game. There was intensity, quick connected passes, and Sophia Smith on the pitch.
It’s an exciting time to be getting back into form since Portland will be on the road against Angel City, who’s a tough team to play against at home, and Portland needs a win to clinch the top spot and NWSL Shield as well. I’m hopeful though that after this performance it’s attainable.
Portland closes out their regular season on Decision Day, October 15th at 2 p.m. PT and take on no. 10 Angel City in LA.
* Playoffs! First round bye! Home playoff game! Well done Thorns!
* Sugita and Moultrie had awesome games, as did Weaver. I guess I'd give WOTM to Sugita, because goal, but it's close.
* Big props to the defense too for the clean sheet. Gotham's chances were pretty limited - they had a lot of shots, but almost all were from well outside the box.
* Bixby and Moultrie both had huge saves - Bixby's in stoppage time of Williams's upper-corner shot, and Moultrie of that close-range header after a cross. If we manage to win the shield I'm going to remember those two blocks as key moments. Well done!
* Sinclair was used the right way, as a late sub - in this case to help kill off the game.
* Coffey's cross to Sugita for the goal was picture-perfect. It really looked like she saw the space in front of Sugita and targeted it with precision.
* Smith might be good for 60 minutes, or even 90, by playoff time. That's huuuuge.
* If we can beat Angel City, I'll be happy with the shield even if we don't collect another star. To me the shield is a better indicator of team quality. Winning both, of course, is the dream, but that would require that we win four in a row and that just seems impossible for this team.
Whoa! ACFCNFT comes back from 1-0 down at half to win 2-1. They're still alive and sitting on 28.
Houston is all but eliminated, as they could still tie OL Reign or any other team that lands on 29 but are well behind in GD.
Well, I don't know what that changes about next weekend's match. Either they were going to be hungry for a playoff spot or they were going to be hungry to play spoiler for our shot at the Shield.
Either way, I'd say the answer is to go down to LA and rehearse delivering SoCal Beatdowns.