Portland Thorns 0, Gotham FC 1 - Instant Reaction
The Portland Thorns faced off against Gotham FC in their home opener at Providence Park. Just like the 2023 semifinal, they fell at home to the defending champs.
After the brutal season opening loss at Kansas City Current, the Portland Thorns returned home to face off against the defending NWSL Champions, Gotham FC.
Mike Norris would make three changes to his original starting XI: Reyna Reyes in for Nicole Payne, Becky Sauerbrunn in for Isabella Obaze, and Janine Beckie in for Christine Sinclair. Marie Müller would start at LB for the second straight game.
Early in the fourth minute, Sophia dribbled past the defense and scored past Cassie Miller, but it was ruled offside.
Shelby Hogan came off her line multiple times in the first half and cleaned up what was necessary. The Portland Thorns opted to play more direct in the first half at the detriment of possession. They played through their fullbacks and wingers instead of the midfield. Their final product in the last third was lacking.
Gotham FC had the majority of the possession (55% to 45%) and looked dangerous on several occasions. Portland’s scramble defense was up for the challenge in the first half. Even without Lynn Williams, Gotham attackers Esther, Ryan, Purce, Dunn, and Sheehan were a handful for the backline.
At the start of the second half, Portland made a concerted effort to play through midfield more with great success.
In the 61st minute, Sophia Smith scored on an absolute banger of a right footed missile, but it was called off due to offside — the second time in the game that has happened.
As in true “soccer is cruel” fashion, Gotham FC’s Esther scored off a low driven cross by Yazmeen Ryan to put the road team up 1-0 in the 72nd minute. This goal came against the run of play with the Thorns providing way too much cushion for Gotham.
In the last few minutes of stoppage time, Sinclair was wide open for a header but steered it directly at Miller.
Unfortunately, the team would drop their second consecutive game (four straight in all competitions — first time in club history).
This would also be their first home opener they have lost in club history.
Although they created a ton of chances, the final product was never there (Portland xG: 1.25, Gotham: 0.74). The team’s defense in transition still remains the biggest question mark and cost them another game today.
The team returns back home next weekend for a match against Racing Louisville, in a must win. Yes, it’s early in the season, but you can’t continue to drop results at home.
Scoring Summary
Gotham: Esther (72’)
EXTRA:
This game broke the record for most all time attendance in club history for a home opener with 19,857.
One interesting development was Olivia Moultrie taking set pieces instead of Sam Coffey.
Next Up:
The Thorns homestand continues next Saturday, March 30 when they host Racing Louisville at 4:30pm at Providence Park, with the match broadcast on ion.
Man, real mixed-bag of emotions after that one!
I think I feel mostly positive despite the whole two-losses-to-start-the-season thing. They completely outplayed Gotham (similarly to the semi tbqh): Reyes and Müller were both straight-up awesome (especially Reyna who legitimately bullied Crystal Dunn into being taken off the field), Becky was really good, Coffey was a beast in the second half, and the team looked generally more cohesive. Still issues to work out (sorry Kelli, but as a longtime defender of yours, it's time for Obaze; Hogan has the Bixby yips; still need to play through the midfield more), but a real encouraging performance overall after last week.
BUT.... I can't quite appreciate the improvement because of the constantly-looming Soph contract spectre. It's a real bummer! It sucks! She's easily the most electric soccer player that's every played for a Portland franchise, and this might be the last year she's here. And that makes enjoying the little things during a potential transition year and watching the team game to game much harder to do. I imagine that's how much of y'all feel too.
OMGOMGOMG IS THAT A SOPH CONTRACT EXTENSION VIDEO!?!!?!
Edit: OMG I THINK SO!!!