First-place Thorns win fourth straight, defeat Spirit on the road

LEESBURG, Va. – Portland Thorns FC continued their winning ways. Forward Simone Charley scored the game’s lone goal in the first half as the Thorns earned a 1-0 road win against the Washington Spirit on Saturday at Segra Field.

It’s the fourth straight win for the Thorns – a season best. It’s also the team’s league-leading fourth road win of the regular season as the first-place Thorns extend their lead at the top of the NWSL standings.

• Matchcenter | Final Stats

The shutout, Portland’s league-best ninth of the season. Goalkeeper Bella Bixby recorded three saves, and defender Christen Westphal made a crucial goal line stop in the first half. The Thorns have allowed just one goal since July 3.

Charley tallied her fourth goal of the regular season in the 29th minute, and she’s now tied with forward Sophia Smith for the team lead in goals.

Saturday’s match at Washington marked a few firsts. Midfielder Olivia Moultrie made her first start for the Thorns, and earned her first pro assist on Charley’s first-half goal. Defender Hannah Betfort, a 2021 NWSL Draft selection, made her pro debut as a second-half sub.

The Thorns remain on the road for their next match, visiting the Orlando Pride on Saturday, Aug. 14; kickoff is 4 p.m. (Pacific). A live broadcast is available on Paramount+.

Goal-Scoring Plays

29’ – POR – Defender Emily Menges delivered a great pass to Moultrie on the touchline. Moultrie served a great ball into the box that Charley timed perfectly and headed it home.

Notes:

• Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to six games overall (5-0-1).
• Portland recorded its third consecutive shutout win on the road. This is tied for the longest road shutout streak in club history (May 12-June 22, 2013).
• Portland recorded its ninth clean sheet of 2021, which leads the NWSL.
• Thorns FC earned their NWSL-leading fourth road win of the season.
• Portland leads the NWSL in goals scored (20) in the 2021 campaign.
• Thorns FC have allowed the fewest goals (7) in the league this season. 
• Moultrie is the youngest player in the NWSL to tally an assist, as well as earn a start. 
• Moultrie is the tenth player for Portland to record an assist this year. 
• Thorns FC have the most players (10) with an assist in the league this season. 
• This is the second time this season Portland has recorded three consecutive shutout wins (May 30-June 20).
• Portland has not allowed a first half goal in its last ten matches.
• Thorns FC have allowed just three goals in their last ten games, while posting eight shutouts.
• Portland is 9-1-0 overall this season when scoring first.

Portland Thorns FC (9-3-1, 28pts) vs. Washington Spirit (5-5-3, 18pts)
August 7, 2021 – Segra Field (Leesburg, VA.)

Scoring Summary:
POR: Charley (Moultrie), 29

Misconduct Summary:
WAS: Sullivan (caution), 65
POR: Smith (caution), 70

Lineups:
POR: GK Bixby, D Westphal (Kuikka, 79), D Menges ©, D Hubly, D Klingenberg (Pogarch, 67), M Rodríguez, M Salem, M Boureille, M Moultrie (Everett, 46), F Charley (Betfort, 89), F Smith

Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Nally, M Porter, F Lussi

TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Smith, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (four players tied, 1); FOULS: 3 (three players tied, 1); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3

WAS: GK Bledsoe, D Heilferty, D Nielsen, D Staab, D Takarada, M Bailey, M Sullivan ©, M Huster (McKeown, 76), F Sanchez (Aylmer, 66), F Rodman, F Hatch

Substitutes Not Used: GK Kerr, D Biegalski, D Rodriguez, M DiBiasi, M Goff, M Asher, F Yokoyama

TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Rodman, 2); FOULS: 12 (Rodman, Huster, 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3

Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Ben Pilgrim, Laura Waliski
4th Official: Jonah Kind
Attendance: n/a
Weather: Partly sunny, 85 degrees