Match Recap & Highlights: Portland 4-1 San Diego

The Thorns make a triumphant return after a losing streak.

Media Credit: Thorns FC

The Thorns returned from a three-game loss streak with a whopping 4-1 victory over San Diego. They only scored one goal in the first half, as Meghan Klingenberg assisted Hannah Betfort’s goal in the 25th minute. The second half kicked off the scoring with goals coming from Betfort, Reyna Reyes, and Morgan Weaver adding to the scoreboard. San Diego managed to put one on the board late in the game but that was all they were able to do.

Notable moments:

• Betfort tallied her first career brace and became the second Thorn to earn a brace in the Challenge Cup, Hina Sugita being the first.

• Reyes netted her first Challenge Cup goal and her second every career goal.

• Weaver also put away her fifth career Challenge Cup goal in her 20th game of the tournament.

• The Thorns have scored three or more goals in six of their home matches across all competitions. Specifically, The Thorns have scored seven goals in two home matches against San Diego.

Highlights:

Media credit: Thorns FC

Looking ahead (challenge cup edition):

With this Challenge Cup victory, the Thorns are now 2-2-0 (6 pts) in group play, and jump into second place in the West Division; OL Reign still tops the division with 10 points. The top club from each division and the group runner-up with the most points across the league advance to the Challenge Cup’s knockout rounds.

The Thorns have two games left in the group stage, and they are next in action on July 29, where they travel to face Angel City at 7 p.m. PT

Looking ahead (regular season edition):

We are going into a month-long break for the World Cup. The Thorns currently sit in second place and their next game will take place on August 20th where they face the first-place North Carolina Courage at Providence Park at 7:30 p.m. PT.