PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC rallied from a two-goal deficit for a second-straight match as midfielder Allie Long netted the game-tying goal in a 2-2 draw against the Washington Spirit in front of 14,236 fans on Saturday evening at Providence Park.
With the draw, Thorns FC move to 2-0-2 (8pts), marking the second consecutive season in which the team has opened the campaign with a four-game unbeaten streak. Portland extended its home unbeaten streak at Providence Park to eight consecutive games (6-0-2) with the result, dating back to the 2014 season.
After Washington (2-2-1, 7pts) took a 2-0 lead inside the first 15 minutes, Portland cut the deficit in half building up through the midfield as Long and forward Sarah Jackson connected a series of passes. After receiving a pass from Long inside the box, Jackson spun and hit hard, low shot toward the left corner that was parried away by Washington goalkeeper Kelsey Wys. Midfielder Mana Shim collected the rebound and finished from close range in the 28th minute to make the score 2-1. The goal was Shim’s second in as many games and her third goal of the season.
Thorns FC found the equalizer early in the second half as Long tallied her fourth goal in four games. Off a turnover, Shim collected the ball and delivered a through ball between two defenders near the edge of the box. Long hit a shot just over the goalkeeper in the 51st minute to level the score.
Portland had several chances in the second half to tally the game winner. In the 66th minute, Thorns FC were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box. Long stepped up to take the penalty kick, but Wys made a diving stop on Long’s attempt. Thorns FC nearly found the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute as Shim found Long making a run into the box, but her shot from close range missed just wide of the left post. In the 83rd minute, Long’s dipping free kick from 25 yards out was tipped over the crossbar by Wys.
Thorns FC remain unbeaten in the all-time series against Washington (4-0-2), improving to 2-0-1 at Providence Park against the Spirit. Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer made five saves in the match, including a critical stop in extra time as slapped a long free kick from midfielder Christine Nairn off the goal line as it skipped through a crowded goal box.
Following Saturday’s match, Portland travels to Boston to take on the Boston Breakers on Saturday, May 16, at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium; kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live via web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (2-0-2, 8pts) vs. Washington Spirit (2-2-1, 7pts)
May 9, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 1 1 2
Washington Spirit 2 0 2
Scoring Summary
WASH: Dunn, 3
WASH: Ordega, 14
POR: Shim, 28
POR: Long (Shim), 51
Misconduct Summary
POR: Van Hollebeke (Caution), 34
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer, D Rachel Van Hollebeke (Alyssa Kleiner, 74), D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges, M Sinead Farrelly, M McCall Zerboni, M Mana Shim, M Allie Long, M Taylor Comeau (Hanna Terry, 70), M Kendall Johnson, F Sarah Jackson (Kelsey Haycook, 81)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Michelle Betos, M Sarah Robbins, M Kate Bennett
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Long, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Long, 4); FOULS: 6 (Long, 4); OFFSIDES: 8; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 5
BOS: GK Kelsey Wys, D Katherine Reynolds, D Megan Oyster, D Whitney Church (Alex Singer, 75), D Estelle Johnson, M Christine Nairn, M Tori Huster, M Joanna Lohman (Caroline Miller, 86), M Angela Salem (Amanda Da Costa, 68), F Francisca Ordega, F Crystal Dunn
Substitutes Not Used: GK Emily Lillard, D Caprice Dydasco, F Tiffany Weimer, M Jennifer Skogerboe
TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (Dunn, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Ordega, 3); FOULS: 8 (Huster, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 5
Referee: Elvis Mahmutovic
Assistant Referees: TJ Zabolocki, J.J. Blodgett
4th Official: Desmond Miller
Attendance: 14,236
Weather:Sunny, 82 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
