Numerous Portland Thorns FC players were in action over the past few days with international duty for some with the U.S. Women’s National Team as well as league games kicking off in Australia with the A-League.
The USWNT played two friendlies against Romania beating them twice, 8-1 on Friday in San Jose and then again 5-0 on Sunday in Carson, Calif. Portland midfielder Tobin Heath led the way in the first game scoring a goal in the 10th minute with a nifty curling shot to the back post before setting up the game’s final tally with a shot that deflected in for an own goal. Fellow Thorns FC teammate Allie Long played the full 90 with Heath while Lindsey Horan came on for the second half. Horan picked up an assist on Alex Morgan's goal in the 75th minute.
“I thought overall, it was a good team performance,” Heath told USsoccer.com after the match. “I thought we moved the ball really well in the first half. I feel like second half, it was a little bit different when we tried to bring it down but we had a variety in our attack and against a team like that, we just want to score as many goals as we can but also try to continue playing the way we want to."
On Sunday, Heath and Long again played the full 90 with Horan coming on in the 61st minute. Heath assisted on Christen Press’ 55th minute goal with a terrific cutback cross in the box as the USWNT went on to romp in a 5-0 win.
Meanwhile in Australia, Thorns Hayley Raso and Celeste Boureille—both on loan to Canberra United—received starts in the team’s season opener against Melbourne City FC.
Though United lost 2-1 to Melbourne City, both Raso and Boureille were active throughout. Searching for a tying goal, Boureille's shot from distance rolled just wide moments before halftime. Canberra will next take on Brisbane Roar on Nov. 19.
