PORTLAND, Ore. – In front of a National Women’s Soccer League record-breaking crowd of 21,144 fans and the first sellout in team history, Portland Thorns FC conceded a second-half goal in a 1-0 loss against Seattle Reign FC on Wednesday evening at Providence Park.
Despite the loss, Thorns FC (3-5-4, 13pts) set a new NWSL attendance record in the match, breaking the previous record of 19,123 fans set by the club on Aug. 3, 2014, against the Houston Dash. In addition, a total of nine players for Portland who competed at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup were recognized prior to the match. The nine World Cup players were the most of any team in the league and represented five countries (United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, England) at the tournament.
A total of four players appeared in the starting lineup for the first time since the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup. Australia Women’s National defender Clare Polkinghorne made her Thorns FC debut, starting and logging 60 minutes in the match, while Steph Catley, fresh off her first Women’s World Cup appearance, played in her first game for Portland in 2015 as she started and played all 90 minutes. In addition, forward Christine Sinclair and midfielder Tobin Heath returned to action for Thorns FC for first time since April 25. A total of 10 players who were part of teams at the Women’s World Cup, including Reign FC and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Megan Rapinoe, were present at Wednesday’s game.
In a tightly contested match, Reign FC (7-3-3, 24pts) held a slight advantage in shots(8-6), while both teams registered three shots on goal. Seattle tallied the lone goal of the match in the 57th minute as midfielder Kim Little dribbled through traffic before firing a shot from close range inside the left post to put Seattle ahead 1-0.
Portland pushed for a late equalizer, creating its best scoring chance in the 69th minute as Sinclair connected with a header near the penalty spot on a cross from Catley, but Reign FC goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer made a quick reaction save, jumping to tip the shot over the crossbar.
Facing a quick turnaround, Thorns FC square off against Reign FC for the second time in five days, visiting Seattle for a road match on Sunday, July 26, at Moda Field at Memorial Stadium; kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Pacific). Sunday’s match will be carried via live web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (3-5-4, 13pts) vs. Seattle Reign FC (7-3-3, 24pts)
July 22, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 0 0
Seattle Reign F 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
SEA: Little, 57
Misconduct Summary
SEA: Cox (Caution), 90+3
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Michelle Betos, D Rachel Van Hollebeke (Shim, 82), D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges, D Steph Catley, M Clare Polkinghorne (Ayo, 60), M McCall Zerboni (Kyle, 74), M Tobin Heath, M Allie Long, M Sinead Farrelly, F Christine Sinclair
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nadine Angerer, M Kendall Johnson, F Hanna Terry
TOTAL SHOTS: 6 (Sinclair, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Sinclair, 2); FOULS: 12 (Farrelly, 4); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2
SEA: GK Haley Kopmeyer, D Lauren Barnes, D Rachel Corsie, D Kendall Fletcher (Reed, 84), D Stephanie Cox, M Jessica Fishlock, M Keelin Winters ©, M Kim Little, F Merritt Mathias (Dallstream, 88), F Beverly Yanez, F Megan Rapinoe (Bullock, 81)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Caroline Stanley, M Katrine Veje, F Dani Foxhoven, M Amber Brooks
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Rapinoe, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players, 1); FOULS: 9 (Rapinoe, 3); OFFSIDES: 9; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referees: Jeffrey Greeson, Andrew Deuker
4th Official: Farhad Dadkho
Attendance: 21,144
Weather:Partly cloudy, 72 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
