Recap & Highlights: 2023 NWSL Semifinal - Portland Thorns 0 - 1 NJ/NY Gotham FC

In the biggest downpour of the season, two teams faced off at Providence Park with a final berth up for grabs.

Media Credit: Thorns FC

The Thorns fell after extratime to Gotham in front of a sold-out crowd at Providence Park. On Sunday, Nov. 5th the Thorns fought to the very end before losing by one goal in the 107th minute.

The weather reflected the results, as many fans packed themselves into the GA section for this match and were thoroughly soaked. The rain didn’t dampen the support however — it was the loudest I had heard Providence Park in my tenure as a fan.

The game was evenly matched, high-paced, and slightly frantic — as a playoff game often is). Olivia Moultrie really stepped up as a solid starting option, with great ball control, service, and just an overall authoritative presence for the Thorns (she also earned her first career playoff start). Morgan Weaver and Sophia Smith both were the shining stars with many attempts on goal coming from them. Shelby Hogan earned the start in net for this match, and I’d say she played very well.

Media Credit: Thorns FC

Ultimately, after tough reffing calls (that’s all I’m going to say…) and some stymied attempts on goal (Haught stopping Sophia Smith’s breakaway in the 78th minute), a worldy from Katie Stengel, Portland just didn’t have not enough time and the Thorns’ season came to an end.

Both Sophia Smith and Sam Coffey tallied record numbers this year: Smith earned her first career NWSL Golden Boot with 11 goals, making her the first Portland player to achieve this accolade. Coffey led the NWSL in assists with eight — the second-most assists in a single season in club history.

Some fun facts:

• It was a team effort this season- 13 different players scored at least one goal, while nine players finished with at least one assist.

• Christine Sinclair made her 13th NWSL postseason appearance, the most by any player in league history. Crystal Dunn made her 11th NWSL playoff appearance, tying second most in league history.

• Coffey and Morgan Weaver started every match of the 2023 campaign.

• Shelby Hogan and Reyna Reyes each made their NWSL playoff debuts, while Olivia Moultrie earned her first playoff start.

Since we’re a Portland blog I’m going to take a moment to talk about what really makes this team special: the fans. The fans were resilient man — I mean talk about sticking with a team through the thick and thin, from championship wins to people abusing their position of power, the fans have been there. I mean a sold-out crowd in the pouring rain says it all: we’re here for the team, it’s so much more than just a sport the Riveters demonstrate that through and through. There’s so much more I can say and I’m sure I’ll think of more later, but for now, it’s “Thank you Rose City, and see you next year!”

Post-game quotes:

Mike Norris’ overall thoughts:

I think it was probably the tight contest we thought it would be. For the group, we’re really proud of the performance they put out there. We didn't think we'd have necessarily like a ton of chances, but we thought the chances we would get would be good ones. Just based on how we've felt [Gotham] would approach the game, how our approach was. Obviously disappointing that the journey's ending here, the
season for this group, but yeah, I mean credit to Gotham and the performance they put on. But yeah, I mean, it’s tough, but I'm proud of the group. I really am for the performance we put out there.”

Norris on the support of the fans:

“Incredible. There was a moment when I was sat on the bench. It was when we had a set play. I think it was defending a corner towards the end of the first half and then the whole “PTFC” and it was just thumping. Like really you could feel the support and I think that the great thing with this city and the support that we have is they're educated and knowledgeable fans.”

Becky Sauerbrunn on fan support:

“From the bottom of our hearts...thank you. For being with us this entire season, especially tonight. We heard them, we felt them, we’re sorry we couldn’t get them the dub and another chance at a championship. The fans have always been incredible, it is an honor to play for them.”

Sophia Smith on the season overall:

“Our team has gone through a lot this season. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but through it all, we stuck together and still kept that same goal in mind and that was to win and be the best team we could possibly be. To learn from every game we played whether it was a win or a loss, to always take something from it. I’m really proud of the fact that I think we did that all season. I hope that we can take
that into next year. This stuff sucks and we’ll definitely remember this feeling. We know what it feels like to win, because we did that last year, and we wanted that again. But sometimes you have to feel this and remember what it feels like. Next year we do not want to feel this again, it just makes us hungrier.”

Smith on the fans:

“The fans are what make this place what it is. There is no other place like it. They were so loud today. It fuels us throughout the whole game, throughout a hundred twenty-plus minutes that we have to play. They were loud to whole entire time and that’s something that I know we all are so thankful for because not every team gets that. We hope that they feel appreciated and know that we hear them, love them, and are grateful for them showing up for us.”

Highlights:

9’ First corner kick goes to Portland (taken by Olivia Moultrie)

16’ Olivia on to take another corner. Header won in the air by Reyna and nearly put in by Sophia Smith

26’ First shot on goal belongs to the Morgan Weaver, good positioning by Haught for the save.

32’ Huge intervention by Shelby Hogan to preserve to keep the score level!

33’ Dangerous corner given to Gotham

56’ Portland springs the counterattack through Sophia Smith. She slips it to Morgan Weaver but Haught is there for the big stop.

60’ Hina and Natu come in for Rocky and Kling

71' Becky Sauerbrunn just rose up for a header and nearly put the Thorns ahead.

79’ Soph wins the ball and plays ahead immediately to Dunn who plays it back, but it’s a foot too far. Haught is there to pick it up.

90' Soph on the counter and finds Morgan, but her shot just doesn't come off clean enough.

96’ Ali Krieger grabs a hold of Sophia before she can get on a breakaway, but somehow only gets a yellow.

111’ Reyna Reyes earns a dangerous free kick for Portland

105’ + Lynn Williams unmarked at the top right of the box, fires just wide.

106’ Kelli Hubly is on for Becky Sauerbrunn

107’ 1-0 Gotham - Katie Stengel punishes Portland for the failed clearance

116' Hannah Betfort, Christine Sinclair, and Michele Vasconcelos on for Portland

120’ Game ends 0-1 Gotham.