PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC battled back from an early 1-0 deficit, but conceded the game-winning goal in the 65th minute in a 2-1 loss against Sky Blue FC in front of 10,477 fans at Providence Park on Wednesday night.
Thorns FC (6-5-2, 20pts) controlled the majority of possession throughout the match and finished with an 18-7 advantage in shots, while forcing Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Brittany Cameron to make five saves. Against the run of play, Sky Blue FC took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute as midfielder Katy Freels collected a loose ball near midfield and lobbed a shot from long distance over Thorns FC goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who had come off her line.
Portland pressed for an equalizer and had two opportunities off set pieces in the first half. In the 11th minute, midfielder Verónica Boquete sent a ball into the box that was flicked on by defender Rachel Van Hollebeke to midfielder Allie Long at the back post. Long settled the ball, turning in the box and firing a shot from close range wide of the post. Thorns FC earned a free kick at the edge of the box in the 29th minute and Boquete stepped up, unleashing a low, hard shot that forced Cameron to make a quick save.
Thorns FC remained on the front foot in the second half and tallied the equalizer in the 54th minute. Defender Sarah Huffman quickly found Boquete on a throw in near the left side of the box. Boquete sent a one-touch pass to Christine Sinclair into the box and she finished with the outside of her right foot from close range for her second goal in as many games.
Sky Blue FC (3-6-2, 15pts) tallied the game-winning goal in the 64th minute on a long free kick into the box by defender Christie Rampone. Defender Lindsi Cutshall knocked the ball into the back of the net as it was headed down in the box by forward Jonelle Filigno to give Sky Blue a 2-1 lead.
Portland held a 9-3 advantage in shots in the second half and produced multiple scoring opportunities in second-half stoppage time. Van Hollebeke found an open chance in the box, but hit her shot over the crossbar. Later, Alex Morgan was able to get behind Sky Blue FC’s defense for a one-on-one opportunity with Cameron, but the goalkeeper made a diving stop to tip Morgan’s shot wide.
Thorns FC travel to face FC Kansas City for their second game in four days on Saturday, June 28, at Verizon Wireless Field at Durwood Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.; kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast live via webstream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (6-5-2, 20pts) vs. Sky Blue FC (3-6-2, 15pts)
June 25, 2014 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Sky Blue FC 1 1 2
Portland Thorns FC 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
SKY: Freels, 8
POR: Sinclair (Boquete), 54
SKY: Cutshall (Filigno), 65
Misconduct Summary
SKY: Foord (Caution), 46
SKY: Freels (Caution), 75
POR: Van Hollebeke (Caution), 76
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Nadine Angerer, D Emily Menges, D Nikki Marshall, D Rachel Van Hollebeke, D Sarah Huffman (Catley, 55), M Rebecca Moros (Kerr, 55), M Sinead Farrelly (McDonald,69), M Allie Long, M Verónica Boquete, F Alex Morgan, F Christine Sinclair ©
Substitutes Not Used: GK Betos, F Acevedo, M Brooks, D Niemiec
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Morgan, 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Morgan, Sinclair, 2); FOULS: 11 (Van Hollebeke, 5); OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 1
SKY: GK Brittany Cameron, D Kelley O’Hara, D Christie Rampone, D Lindsi Cutshall (Goodson, 69), D Caitlin Foord, D Kendall Johnson, D Camille Levin, M Nanase Kiryu (Hayes, 68), M Sophie Schmidt, M Katy Freels, F Jonelle Filigno (Stanton, 77)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Loyden, D Thompson, M Morris, M Stanton
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (O’Hara, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 players, 1); FOULS: 14 (Filigno, 4); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 5
Referee: Bernard Hosu
Assistant Referees: Apolinar Mariscal, Ronald Lagraff
4th Official: Lucas Brooks
Attendance: 10,477
Weather: Rain, 70 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
