PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC rallied from a first-half deficit as midfielders Allie Long and Sinead Farrelly each netted a goal in the final 20 minutes to secure a 2-1 win against Sky Blue FC in front of 12,223 fans on Friday night at Providence Park.
With the win, Thorns FC (3-3-4, 13pts) improved to 3-1-2 at home this season as Long and Farrelly registered goals just 10 minutes apart to help Portland overcome an early 1-0 deficit. Portland is now 7-1-3 in its last 11 matches at Providence Park.
Searching for an equalizer after surrendering the opening goal in the 27th minute, Thorns FC forward Ayo was pulled down in the box after receiving a through ball from Long. Portland was awarded a penalty kick and Sky Blue FC defender Cami Levin was sent off with a straight red card for the foul. Long stepped to the spot and scored her fifth goal of the season to level at the match at 1-1 in the 70th minute.
Less than 10 minutes later, Thorns FC claimed the lead as Farrelly got on the end of a pinpoint cross sent in from the left side by midfielder Alyssa Kleiner, finishing at the back post with a header for her second goal of the season.
With time winding down, Sky Blue FC (1-6-4, 7pts) earned one final free kick near the edge of the box on the left side. Midfielder Katy Freels, who tallied the opening goal for Sky Blue FC off an assist by Taylor Lytle, bent a well-struck ball around the wall that was headed for the top left corner of the goal, but Thorns FC goalkeeper Michelle Betos made a diving save, pushing the shot over the crossbar and out for a corner kick moments before the whistle blew.
With her game-tying goal, Long claimed sole possession of first-place on Thorns FC’s all-time goal-scoring list with her 17th career goal, surpassing forward Christine Sinclair (16). Additionally, Long tallied her fourth goal in six home matches for Portland and her third career goal in seven meetings against Sky Blue FC.
Betos tallied her second win of the 2015 season, making four saves in the match. In addition, Portland limited its third consecutive opponent to single-digit shot attempts (8) in the match and its fifth opponent in six home matches to single-digit shots.
Following Friday’s match, Thorns FC hit the road for their second meeting in a nine-day span against Sky Blue FC on Saturday, July 11, at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.; kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (Pacific). The match will be broadcast via web stream at www.portlandthornsfc.com.
Portland Thorns FC (3-3-4, 13pts) vs. Sky Blue FC (1-6-4, 7pts)
July 3, 2015 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 0 2 2
Sky Blue FC 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
SKY: Freels (Lytle), 27
POR: Long (penalty kick), 70
POR: Farrelly (Kleiner), 79
Misconduct Summary
POR: Kyle (Caution), 54
SKY: Stanton (Caution), 56
SKY: Levin (Ejection), 69
SKY: Foord (Caution), 80
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Michelle Betos, D Rachel Van Hollebeke, D Kat Williamson ©, D Emily Menges, M Alyssa Kleiner, M Allie Long, M Kaylyn Kyle, M Kendall Johnson (Comeau, 90+4), M Sinead Farrelly, F Mana Shim (Terry, 60), F Ayo
Substitutes Not Used: GK Emily Kruger, M Kate Bennett, F Sarah Jackson, F Kelsey Haycook
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Ayo, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Long, 3); FOULS: 13 (Johnson, 4); OFFSIDES: 8; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 3
SKY: GK Brittany Cameron, D Kristin Grubka (Goodson, 90), D Lindsi Cutshall, D Cami Levin, D Caitlin Foord, M Nikki Stanton (Diederich, 88), M Hayley Haagsma, M Shawna Gordon (Killion, 75), M Taylor Lytle, M Katy Freels, F Nadia Nadim
Substitutes Not Used: GK Aubrey Bledsoe, D Rachel Breton
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Haagsma, 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Freels, 2); FOULS: 14 (Foord, Cutshall, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 2
Referee: Levi Rippy
Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Jason Perlewitz
4th Official: J.J. Blodgett
Attendance: 12,223
Weather:Sunny, 90 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
