Portland Thorns v San Diego Wave | Highlights and Instant Reaction

Portland took on the San Diego Wave in their second CONCACAF W Champions Cup game.

The Thorns traveled to Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to take on the Wave Wednesday evening, this match took place on CONCACAF’s 63rd anniversary. This match marks the second for Portland in the CONCAFAC W Champions Cup. The match ended 3-2 after San Diego put away three goals unanswered in the second half.

A different lineup to start this match with Shelby Hogan in goal and Morgan Weaver getting her first start since her return from injury. Sophie Hirst, Meghan Klingenberg, and Jessie Fleming also made the new starting lineup. We also continued to see the combination of Alexa Spaanstra and Soph Smith up front.

Instant Reaction

Overall, The Thorns started out looking pretty solid against San Diego in the first half — but that all changed in the second.

The first half began with PDX doing well to find chances against SD a few times but SD also managed to get very close with their attempts too.

The first goal came in the 26th minute from none other than Soph Smith who neatly put away her attempt with the clinical football we’re used to seeing from her.

Hogan also did well with multiple stops in front of the PDX net, from denying crosses to coming off her line she had a good hold of the game.

Overall, Portland went into halftime the better team, but the second half would prove fatal.

The second half seemed to be starting in much the same manner as the first when Reylin Turner, who subbed in at the half, netted her second CONCACAF goal doubling the Thorns’ lead.

The hopes of a win were short-lived though as the Wave earned a penalty kick in the 67th minute after Sam Coffey had to scramble to save a poor pass. Maria Sanchez drove her shot home and Hogan, who dove the right way, was unable to save it.

Not two minutes later did Sanchez net her second goal after heading home a cross from SD. Her third came in the 85th minute when another PK was called, this one off a handball from Becky Sauerbrunn (ouch).

Not sure what to say. The first half seemed so promising and the second half starting with a PDX goal seemed like that trend would continue, but things really just went bad, and then to worse. Two penalties and an uncontested cross led to another Portland loss.

Honestly just disappointed in this Thorns side. Yes conceding two PKs is tough, but still this is yet another rough performance. This one also came after Portland led 2-0 for two-thirds of the game.

Highlights, recap and some commentary

3’ Soph got close with a one-touch shot that went wide.

6’ Müller launched a banger from 30 yards out and got close but it was just barely off target.

11’ First corner went to the Wave, but it wasn’t too much of a challenge, Sauerbrunn sent it away.

Portland isn’t pressing too much to start off.

12’ Fleming went down away from the ball. Non-contact but she got back up and was okay

The first 15 felt all Portland but SD started shifting the run of play.

There was a good mix of youth talent and veterans on the pitch for Portland.

Announcers made it 16 minutes before mentioning Alex Morgan.

17’ Hogan was quick off her line to collect a ball through by SD. She does well to come off her line again in the 20th.

21’ Sanchez got close to scoring but her touch sails over the crossbar. Van Egmond with a lovely cross into her though

25’ SD continues the onslaught but doesn’t find the back of the net

26’ POR 1-0 SD None other than Soph Smith netted the goal. She made it look easy, beating Girma and putting it past Sheridan.

28’ Smith nicked the crossbar looking for her second.

30’ SD were knocking as their cross made it all the way across the face of the goal but no one was able to get on it luckily.

33’ Hogan better stay sharp — SD was pushing to score, Barcenas fired a shot off just wide.

38’ Hogan came up big to deny SD right in front of the goal. She’s already proved herself tonight.

42’ Smith called offside just a few minutes after Weaver was, they were really knocking.

43’ SD’s Ali fired a left-footed shot at Hogan, who was able to collect. There were a lot of threatening moments for SD this half.

Two minutes of stoppage time added

45’+2 Obaze fouled SD near the corner flag but Captain Sauerbrunn sent it away and the first-half whistle was blown.

Two Thorns changes at the half- D’Aquila, Turner, and Moultrie came on for Smith, Weaver, and Hirst.

47’ Van Egmond tried to volley a deflection into the net but it was sent over.

51’ Hogan came up again big to deny a cross and collect the rebound

53’ Moultrie tallied her first shot of the match just outside the 18 but it went barely over the crossbar.

54’ POR 2-0 SD Turner nets the Thorns’ second goal of the night after a cross from Moultrie. This marked Turner’s second goal of the tournament.

62’ Müller dispossessed SD and quickly countered but the attack was picked off.

67’ POR 2-1 SD PK called against Sam Coffey who was fighting to rectify a poor back pass. This was Hogan’s first time facing a PK this season. Sanchez stepped up to take it and buried it. Hogan went the right way but it wasn’t enough.

68’ Reyes came into the game replacing Kling.

69’ POR 2-2 SD Sanchez made it two after heading home a cross.

75’ Fleming made way for Marissa Sheva.

81’ Sauerbrunn with a slide tackle to deny Ali in the 18-yard box, it went out for an SD corner. The ball ping pongs around the box in a manner that raised my heart rate but was finally sent away.

83’ POR 2-3 SD Another PK called for SD, this one was for a handball in the box from Sauerbrunn. Sanchez not only nets the go-ahead goal but her hat trick as well.

“Portland is in a world of hurt” from the announcer pretty much sums it up.

Five minutes of stoppage were added but Portland wasn’t able to find the equalizer.

Goal Recap

POR

Soph Smith (26’) Reilyn Turner (54’)

SD

Maria Sanchez (65’, 69’, 83’)

It’s a quick turnaround for the Thorns, as they head back to Portland before traveling to LA to face Angel City on Monday September 23. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT.