Thorns FC picked up their fifth win of the season and jumped up to a tie for first place in the NWSL with a 2-0 defeat of Racing Louisville FC Saturday night. The win was marked by a number of historic player firsts:
1Goalkeeper Bella Bixby made her first-ever NWSL regular-season appearance for Thorns FC, picking uper her first career win and her first regular-season shutout in the team’s win over Racing Louisville. It was Bixby’s first appearance since suffering a knee injury during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
1Midfielder Rocky RodrÃguez converted a 30th minute penalty kick to score her second goal of the 2021 season and 10th of her NWSL career. It was also RodrÃguez’s first-ever score from the penalty spot.
1Defender Emily Menges appeared in her 123rd match for Portland Saturday night and contributed a beautiful assist on Simone Charley’s 52nd minute goal. The assist was Menges' first-ever in her eight year NWSL career.
Check out everything Portland-Louisville on ThornsFC.com
- HIGHLIGHTS | RodrÃguez, Charley score in Thorns win over Racing
- RECAP | Thorns back in win column
- MEDIA | Parsons shares pride in win at Lou
- Q-AND-A | Bixby talks 2021 debut
- WATCH | Moultrie on history-making debut
- FARLEY | Bixby picked up where she left off
- FARLEY | With history made, Moultrie's future in focus
- PHOTOS | The best shots from Portland's first visit to Louisville