Portland Thorns 2, Chicago Red Stars 0 - Instant Reaction
Are the Thorns really back?
The Portland Thorns recorded their second straight win in 2024, beating Chicago courtesy of a first half brace from Sophia Smith.
The game on the road at Bridgeview, Illinois, was the test Portland needed after netting four goals on a weak Houston last week. Chicago, third in the table before this game, hosted an old foe with the hopes of putting history a little on their side. According to the soccer books, out of 26 encounters between these two teams, only two have went the way of Chicago with Portland heavily dominating them.
But Portland finally got a clean sheet, its first of the season, and also didn't concede early. Regarding defense, interim coach Rob Gale bet on the Becky Sauerbrunn - Isabela Obaze duo as centrebacks once again and they looked good. However, Reyna Reyes helped a lot clearing and blocking balls. Hina Sugita, who started in the midfield, also tracked back to help to defend.
Another player who was part of the starting XI was Christine Sinclair. The veteran not only scored in the last game but ahe also registered an assist in this match. And speaking of the attack, Sophia Smith put Chicago's defense to shame with an outstanding goal that opened the scoring, and then when she tallied her brace.
At the end of the first 45, the Thorns were leading by two goals although the lead could have been better since former Thorns Natalia Kuikka saved a ball in the line and then another ball hit the crossbar.
Of course, Portland also got lucky when the post helped Shelby Hogan to keep the clean sheet.
Both teams moved to their benches in the second half and that changed the dynamic. But despite this, the Thorns did their homework and kept Mallory Swanson at bay.
The game looked more even but nonetheless, it took some long 20 minutes for the Red Stars to make Hogan really participate in the match. Portland almost conceded one in the 83' but Janine Beckie made a big save on the line.
Chicago grew a little in the second half but other than the chance just described, the Thorns were pretty much in control. However, Portland lost their bite and didn't look as dangerous as they did in the first half.
Regardless, Portland is leaving Bridgeview with three more points, continuing their rise after a subpar start to the season.
Rob Gale's boat seems to be having a smooth beginning in the NWSL waters and this undoubtly was a big win. Let's see if Portland can extend this two game winning streak to three when they play Bay FC at home.
Scoring Summary
Portland: Smith (10’, 26’)
Next Up:
The Thorns return home to face expansion side Bay FC midweek on May 1 at Providence park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.
The only thing worse than taking forever to make a VAR call is taking forever to make a VAR call and getting it wrong. There was no conclusive evidence that ball touched Smith, but the primary camera view from behind the goal showed that the ball's direction and spin did NOT change. I have no issue with pulling one back for handball - them's the rules. But there has to be indisputable evidence that the arm was struck - and there was none.
In our house, we have come to the conclusion that the VAR process has become perverted into a search for minutiae instead of a method for preventing obvious errors. There needs to be a refresher for the VAR's on the "clear and obvious" part of the rule. Having a time limit, perhaps 30 seconds, would help. Not sure after 30 seconds? It must not have been obvious. Suspicious about offside but don't have time to look at all the angles? Have the center ref take a look. Someday, maybe an AI app will draw those lines in a heartbeat.
At least this time it didn't cost points (although who know what that goal difference may mean in October?)
This is wondrous: Obaze looks like she's getting better every match. She's better at stopping attacks, more comfortable, just more and more solid. I hope it keeps up because we'll have struck gold.