Thorns stay red-hot, defeat Bay FC for third-straight win.
SAN JOSE, Cali. (Saturday, May 1, 2024) – Portland Thorns FC (3-3-1, 10 points) earned its second-consecutive road win with a 3-2 victory at Bay FC thanks to a brace from Sophia Smith and a goal in the second minute from rookie Payton Linnehan.
The Thorns got off to a flying start, finding the back of the net in just the second minute, with Sophia Smith slipping a forward pass to rookie Payton Linnehan, who slammed her shot into the upper netting. The goal comes in Linnehan’s first-ever professional start and marks her first goal contribution of any kind since being selected in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
Five minutes later the Thorns doubled their lead, this time the reverse of the first goal with Smith finding the back of the net, assisted by Linnehan. The goal marks Smith’s sixth of the season, the most by any player in the National Women’s Soccer League this season.
Bay’s first real opportunity of the match came in the 14th minute, but goalkeeper Shelby Hogan was able to reach up and push Racheal Kundananji’s shot out for a corner kick. Just before the halftime break Bay FC was able to pull one back, with Kundananji threading her shot into the back of the net. The half would end shortly after with Portland taking the narrow 2-1 lead.
Coming out of the halftime break Bay FC pressed aggressively, seeking the equalizing goal, pressuring the Thorns’ backline relentlessly. In the 60th minute Deyna Castellanos brought Bay FC level, sliding onto a pass from Kundananji to make it 2-2.
With the scoreline level Bay FC found itself with several chances at a go-ahead goal, but each time Hogan was able to make the save. Just when it seemed as if the Bay had all of the momentum, Smith single-handlely pulled the Thorns back in front, hitting a curling left-footed shot into the back of the net to take the 3-2 lead.
After forward Morgan Weaver went down with an injury at the start of extra time the Thorns were forced to defend Bay down a player, but Portland was able to grind it out and secure the 3-2 win on the road.
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
POR: Payton Linehan (Sophia Smith) 2nd minute: Smith found herself with the ball just outside of the 18-yard-box and after taking a couple touches she sent a forward pass to Linnehan. Mere feet in front of the goal, Linnehan launched a left-footed shot into the upper netting of the goal.
POR: Sophia Smith (Payton Linnehan) 7th minute: Linnehan found Smith wide open in the middle of the Thorns’ final third. Smith was able to outrun her defenders, creating a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, taking a touch around the shot-stopper, she fired her shot into the back of the net.
BAY: Racheal Kundananji (Joelle Anderson) 41st minute: Anderson found Kundananji inside the box who then hit her shot into the far post, past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper.
BAY: Deyna Castellanos (Racheal Kundananji) 60th minute: Kundananji drove towards goal before hitting a pass across the face of goal for Castellanos to slide into and redirect into the back of the net.
POR: Sophia Smith (Marissa Sheva) 78th minute: Sheva hit a long cross to Smith at the top of the 18-yard-box, who danced around her defender to curl a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper.
LINEUPS:
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Shelby Hogan, Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn (Isabella Obaze 62’), Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg (Marie Müller 46’); Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultire, Hina Sugita (Marissa Sheva 76’); Janine Beckie (Ana Dias 76’), Sophia Smith, Payton Linnehan (Morgan Weaver 62’)
Subs not used: Emily Alvarado, Meaghan Nally, Olivia Wade-Katoa, Christine Sinclair
Bay FC (4-3-3): Lysianne Proulx; Alyssa Malonson (Savvy King 90+5’), Jen Beattie (Kayla Sharples 76’), Emily Menges, Madeline Moreau; Joelle Anderson (Maya Doms 76’), Jamie Shepherd, Dorian Bailey (Tess Boade 46’); Princess Marfo (Asisat Oshoala 82’), Deyna Castellanos, Racheal Kundananji
Subs not used: Katelyn Rowland, Caprice Dydasco, Caroline Conti, Kiki Pickett
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:POR: Payton Linehan (caution) 45+2’
POR: Ana Dias (caution) 90+6’
