Goals from Moultrie, Smith, Sugita, and Linnehan demolish Reign at Providence Park.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, May 11, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (4th, 5-3-1, 16 points) earned their fifth-consecutive win, good for the longest winning streak in club history, smashing rivals Seattle Reign FC (11th, 2-6-1) in a 4-0 victory. Goals from Olivia Moultrie, Sophia Smith, Hina Sugita and Payton Linnehan spurred the Thorns to victory, assisted by three saves from Shelby Hogan and a goal line clearance from Kelli Hubly.
In the 30th regular-season match between the two Cascadia rivals the Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign found themselves in a battle within the trenches, neither side able to string together any clear offensive opportunities early in the first half.
The stalemate finally broke in the 42nd minute when forward Sophia Smith found a wide-open Olivia Moultrie at the top of the 18-yard-box for a one-touch shot into the back of the net, taking the 1-0 lead. The goal marked Moultrie’s second of the season and Smith’s fourth assist of the year, bringing her combined goal contribution to 11, the most in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The Reign nearly pulled the score level in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when forward Bethany Balcer headed the ball towards an open net, but defender Kelli Hubly stuck a leg out and was able to clear the ball out of danger, keeping the 1-0 lead intact heading into the halftime break.
In the 57th minute Seattle found themselves with an open shot on target, but goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to fall on the ball, prohibiting what appeared to be a sure goal. The two sides continued to battle it out in the midfield until the 80th minute when the Thorns were awarded a penalty kick after Video Assisted Review for a handball off a shot from Payton Linnehan. Smith stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the left side of the goal for her eighth goal of the year.
During the third minute of stoppage time Smith picked the ball off a Reign defender, taking off towards goal before cutting back to send a pass to an open Hina Sugita who confidently rocketed off a shot into the back of the net for the third goal of the night.
Just five minutes later Smith did it again, this time finding Linnehan, providing the assist for the rookie’s second goal this season. The final whistle would end moments later, giving Portland the 4-0 win, the largest margin victory in the 39-game history of the rivalry.
UP NEXT: Portland Thorns FC are set to embark on a two-game road stretch, traveling first to Houston Dash on Friday, May 17 before continuing east to take on the Orlando Pride on Friday, May 24.
POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Olivia Moultrie (Sophia Smith) 42nd minute: Running onto a ball, flung forward by a Seattle defender, Smith drove towards goal before slotting a pass to Moultrie at the top of the 18-yard-box. Moultrie one-touched the ball, chipping her shot over the goalkeeper and inside the far post.
POR: Sophia Smith (PK) 80th minute: The Thorns were awarded a penalty kick following a handball inside the 18-yard-box, Smith stepped up to the spot and tucked her shot into the right side of goal.
POR: Hina Sugita (Sophia Smith) 90+3rd minute: Olivia Moultire picked the ball of a Seattle defender, finding Smith in open field for the forward to spring forward towards goal. Once inside the 18-yard-box, Smith sent a cross toward Sugita who one-touched her shot inside the far post.
POR: Payton Linnehan (Sophia Smith) 90+8th minute: Linnehan initiated a give-and-go inside the box, with Smith placing a perfect ball at the feet of Linnehan for her to slot into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Nicole Payne (Reyna Reyes 85’), Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelli Hubly, Marie Müller (Meghan Klingenberg 90+9’), Hina Sugita, Sam Coffey, Jessie Fleming (Payton Linnehan 61’), Olivia Moultrie (Olivia Wade-Katoa 90+9’), Christine Sinclair (Janine Beckie 61’), Sophia Smith
Subs not used: Emily Alvarado, Meaghan Nally, Marissa Sheva, Ana Dias
Seattle Reign FC (4-3-3): Laurel Ivory, Phoebe McClernon (Ryanne Brown 83’), Lauren Barnes, Shae Holmes, Sofia Huerta, Tziarra King, Olivia Van der Jagt (Nikki Stanton 83’), Jess Fishlock, Veronica Latsko (Emeri Adames 72’), Ji So-Yun, Bethany Balcer
Subs not used: Maia Perez, Angharad James, Olivia Athens, Julia Lester, Lily Woodham, McKenzie Weinert
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SEA: Phoebe McClernon (caution) 58’
POR: Olivia Moultrie (caution) 61’
SEA: Sofia Huerta (caution) 79’
SEA: Olivia Athens (caution) 89’
