PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing with only 10 players for the final 20 minutes, goalkeeper Michelle Betos scored a dramatic game-tying goal in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time as Portland Thorns FC rallied to earn a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City in front of 15,214 fans on Friday evening at Providence Park.
Pushing for the last-gasp equalizer, Betos pushed up into the penalty box for a corner kick in the closing moments of second-half stoppage time. Midfielder Allie Long sent a driven ball into the center of the box and Betos connected on a diving header that crossed the line before FC Kansas City was able to clear it away. Just moments before the final corner-kick sequence, Betos made a critical save as second-half substitute Caroline Kastor got in behind the Thorns FC backline and was one-on-one with Betos, who made a diving kick save on the shot attempt.
The goal was the first by a goalkeeper in National Women’s Soccer League history and the latest goal scored in a regular-season match by a Thorns FC player since the team’s inaugural season in 2013.
After a scoreless first half, FC Kansas City (3-4-2, 11pts) took a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute as midfielder Jen Buczkowski served a well-placed free kick towards the penalty spot and forward Sarah Hagen beat Betos to the spot, heading the ball into the back of the net.
Portland (2-3-4, 10pts) outshot FC Kansas City 8-5 in the second half, and 13-8 in the match, seeing several closes chances just miss in the final 45 minutes. Defender Kat Williamson’s header off a corner kick in the 49th minute was just over the crossbar. Second half-substitute Alyssa Kleiner had two close chances, including a half volley in the 69th minute that was cleared away near the goal line by an FC Kansas City player.
Betos finished the match with four saves as Thorns FC limited their opponents to single-digit shot attempts for the sixth time in nine matches this season, improving to 2-1-2 at Providence Park this season and 6-1-3 in their last 10 games at home.
Thorns FC remain in the Rose City and return to action on Friday, July 3, playing host to Sky Blue FC at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast via web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (2-3-4, 10pts) vs. FC Kansas City (3-4-2, 11pts)
June 19, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1
FC Kansas City 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
KC: Hagen (Buczkowski), 51
POR: Betos (Long), 90+5
Misconduct Summary
POR: Long (Caution), 44
POR: Johnson (Caution), 50
KC: Hagen (Caution), 61
POR: Zerboni (Ejection), 70
KC: Groom (Caution), 71
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Michelle Betos, D Rachel Van Hollebeke, D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges, M Taylor Comeau (Alyssa Kleiner, 46), M Sinead Farrelly, M McCall Zerboni, M Kendall Johnson (Sarah Jackson, 86), M Allie Long, M Mana Shim (Hanna Terry, 64), F Ayo
Substitutes Not Used: GK Emily Kruger, M Kate Bennett, D Courtney Niemiec
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Ayo, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Ayo, 3); FOULS: 11 (Zerboni, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 4
KC: GK Nicole Barnhart, D Leigh Ann Robinson, D Amy LePeilbet, D Becca Moros, D Yael Averbuch, M Jen Buczkowski, M Mandy Laddish, M Erika Tymrak, M Shea Groom (Frances Silva, 86), M Liz Bogus (Meghan Lisenby, 90+2), F Sarah Hagen (Caroline Kastor, 81)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Katelyn Rowland, M Kaysie Clark, D Domi Richardson
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Hagen Tymrak, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Tymrak, 2); FOULS: 14 (Buczkowski, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 4
Referee: Brandon Artis
Assistant Referees: TJ Zablocki, Reyna Fonseca
4th Official: Desmond Miller
Attendance: 15,214
Weather:Partly cloudy, 73 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
