PORTLAND, Ore. – Midfielder Allie Long registered the game-winning goal and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer registered a clean sheet as Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-0 victory against the Western New York Flash in front of 13,148 fans on Saturday evening at Providence Park.
With the win, Portland (2-0-0, 6pts) extended its home unbeaten streak to seven matches (6-0-1), dating back to the 2014 season. Thorns FC have recorded back-to-back home wins to open the 2015 NWSL, marking the first time in team history Portland has logged consecutive wins to start the season. Thorns FC have earned three clean sheets in their last four matches at Providence Park, including consecutive shutouts to close out the 2014 regular season against the Houston Dash (1-0) on Aug. 3, 2014 and Seattle Reign FC (1-0) on Aug. 17, 2014.
Thorns FC opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as Long tallied her third goal in the last two matches. Midfielder Sinead Farrelly floated a cross into the box for Long, who settled in between two Western New York defenders with her back to the goal and flicked the ball into the back of the net. The assist was Farrelly’s first of her Thorns FC and NWSL career, while both Farrelly and Long registered a point for a second consecutive match.
Making her first start of the 2015 season, Angerer earned her third consecutive shutout at home in the regular season for Portland. Angerer made two saves in the match, including a key stop in the 51st minute as she came off her line to knock away a point-blank attempt from Western New York rookie midfielder Sam Mewis in a crowded goal box.
Canada Women’s National Team forward Christine Sinclair, midfielder Kaylyn Kyle and defender Rhian Wilkinson all made their first appearances for Thorns FC this season, entering the match as second-half substitutes. Wilkinson entered the match to begin the second half and made a key defensive play, clearing a chipped shot inside the box by Mewis out of the goal box near the post. Additionally, Thorns FC and England Women’s National Team forward Jodie Taylor earned her first start for Portland.
Thorns FC travel to Lisle, Ill., for their first road match of the 2015 regular season against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, April 25, at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live via webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (2-0-0, 6pts) vs. Western New York Flash (0-2-0, 0pts)
April 18, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 1 0 1
Western New York Flash 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR: Long (Farrelly), 22
Misconduct Summary
POR: Wilkinson (Caution), 74
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer, D Courtney Niemiec, D Kat Williamson © (Rhian Wilkinson, 46), D Emily Menges, M Sinead Farrelly, M McCall Zerboni, M Mana Shim (Christine Sinclair, 70), M Allie Long, M Tobin Heath (Kaylyn Kyle, 90+1), M Kendall Johnson, F Jodie Taylor
Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos, F Hanna Terry, F Alex Morgan, M Sarah Robbins
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Heath, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Heath, 2); FOULS: 10 (Heath, 3); OFFSIDES: 5; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 2
BOS: GK Sabrina D’Angelo, D Whitney Engen, D Brittany Taylor ©, D Kristen Edmonds, D Jaelene Hinkle, M Becky Edwards, M Abby Dahlkemper (Jordan Angeli, 78), M Sam Mewis, F Sydney Leroux, F Jasmyne Spencer (Camilla Kur, 87), F Lynn Williams (Kristen Hamilton, 68)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Chantel Jones, M Amanda Frisbie, D Chelsea Stewart, D Tony Pressley
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Mewis 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Mewis, Williams, 1); FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 2
Referee: Karen Abt
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Jason Perlewitz
4th Official: Ekaterina Koroleva
Attendance: 13,148
Weather:75 degrees, Sunny
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
