ALLSTON, Mass. – Portland Thorns FC conceded the winning goal in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time in a 1-0 loss against the Boston Breakers in front of 2,669 fans on Saturday afternoon at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium.
Boston midfielder Kristie Mewis, who attempted eight shots in the match, tallied the game-winning goal in the final seconds of stoppage time for the Breakers. Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos came off her line to head the ball away near the edge of the box, but the ball was not successfully cleared and Mewis chipped the loose ball into the back of the net.
Portland (2-1-2, 8pts) forward Ayo Añonma made her NWSL and Thorns FC debut in the match, starting and playing 68 minutes. The Equatorial Guinea international provided several closes chances late in the first half, finishing the match with a team-high three shots.
In the 35th minute, Ayo dribbled down the left side of the box and hit a low shot towards the far post that narrowly missed. On the ensuing corner kick, the ball was played all the way through to Ayo in the middle of the box, but Boston goalkeeper Jami Kranich made the stop on her shot attempt from 10 yards out. In the 50th minute, Ayo’s low, hard shot from the top of the box was saved and pushed out of bounds for a corner kick.
Boston (2-3-0, 6pts) registered 11 shots in the match, but put just two of those shots on target. Betos made a key save, stopping a one-on-one chance with Boston forward Stephanie McCaffrey inside the goal box in the 61st minute to keep the score level.
Following Saturday’s match, Portland returns to the Rose City to play host to the Houston Dash on Saturday, May 23, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live via web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Notes:
- Midfielder Allie Long made her 47th career start for Thorns FC becoming the club’s all-time career leader in starts.
- Forward Ayo Añonma made her NWSL Thorns FC debut, earning the start against Boston.
- Defender Emily Menges made her 13th consecutive start, dating back to the 2014 campaign.
- Midfielder Kate Bennett made her NWSL and Thorns FC debut, starting and playing 45 minutes.
- Midfielders McCall Zerboni and Sinead Farrelly are the only two players to have started and played every minute for Portland this season.
- Goalkeeper Michelle Betos made her fourth career start for Portland in the match.
Portland Thorns FC (2-1-2, 8pts) at Boston Breakers (2-3-0, 6pts)
May 16, 2015 – Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium (Allston, Mass.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0
Boston Breakers 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
BOS: Mewis, 90+3
Misconduct Summary
POR: Williamson (Caution), 40
POR: Betos (Caution), 90+2
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Michelle Betos, D Courtney Niemiec, D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges (Hanna Terry, 90+2), M Sinead Farrelly, M McCall Zerboni, M Mana Shim, M Allie Long, M Kate Bennett (Taylor Comeau, 46), M Kendall Johnson, F Ayo Añonma (Sarah Jackson, 68)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Emily Kruger, F Kelsey Haycook
TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Ayo, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Ayo, 3); FOULS: 10 (Farrelly, 3); OFFSIDES: 10; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1
BOS: GK Jami Kranich, D Lauren Lazo, D Julie King, D Kassey Kallman, D Mollie Pathman, M Amy Barczuk, M Katie Schoepfer, M Kristie Mewis, M Rafinha (Suzane Pires, 83), F Stephanie McCaffrey (Maddy Evans, 77), F Nkem Ezurike (Morgan Marlborough, 62)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Che Brown, M Bia, D Rachel Wood, M Stephanie Verdoia
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Mewis, 8); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Mewis, McCaffrey, 1); FOULS: 14 (Four players, 2); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 3
Referee: Christopher Spivey
Assistant Referees: Hagan Barnett, Kali Langevin
4th Official: Amilcar Sicaju
Attendance: 2,669
Weather: Cloudy, 70 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
