PORTLAND, Ore. – Registering their second shutout of the season, Portland Thorns FC earned a 1-0 win behind a first-half penalty kick from forward Nadia Nadim in front of 14,471 fans on Saturday afternoon at Providence Park.
With the win, Thorns FC (2-1-0, 6pts) have won six straight regular-season matches at Providence Park, dating back to the 2016 regular season. During that stretch, Portland has registered four shutouts and has outscored its opponents 15-3.
Nadim notched her second goal of the season and her 11th goal since signing with Thorns FC ahead of the 2016 season in the 27th minute, converting a penalty kick after Chicago forward Christen Press was whistled for a handball in the box. With the goal, Nadim is now a perfect 7-for-7 from the penalty spot since joining the NWSL in 2015. In addition, Nadim has tallied 11 career game-winning goals in NWSL regular-season play, which is tied for the most in league history with Kim Little.
Controlling 58.5 percent of the possession, Portland limited Chicago’s chances and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch finished the match with five saves, including a diving stop to deny a close-range attempt by Red Stars midfielder Julie Ertz in the 62nd minute as well as a key punch in the 59th minute to clear a deflected cross off Allie Long’s head. Franch recorded her second clean sheet in three matches this season and the 12th shutout of her NWSL career, which moves her into a tie for fourth place all-time in career shutouts in league history.
Portland created additional scoring opportunities in the second half and came close to increasing its lead in the 59th minute. Forward Christine Sinclair pounced on a missed clearance near the edge of the six-yard box, sending a left-footed shot inches wide of the right post past the outstretched arms of Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
Midfielder Lindsey Horan came close on two separate occasions to adding a second goal in a span of eight minutes. In the 61st minute, Sinclair found Horan making a run down the left side, playing a ball into space for Horan, who forced a save from Naeher with a strike from inside the box. Horan again broke free down the left flank in the 68th minute as forward Hayley Raso led the Thorns FC break, but Naeher was quick off her line to beat Horan to the ball after Raso slid a pass behind the defense to set up Horan for the shot attempt.
Next up, Thorns FC remain at home to play the second match of a two-match home stand, squaring off against Cascadia-rival Seattle Reign FC on Saturday, May 6, at Providence Park. Saturday’s match kicks off at 7 p.m. (Pacific) and features at live, high-definition web stream at www.go90.com.
Portland Thorns FC (2-1-0, 6pts) vs. Chicago Red Stars (1-2-0, 3pts)
April 29, 2017 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Chicago Red Stars 0 0 0
Portland Thorns FC 1 0 1
Scoring Summary
POR: Nadim (penalty kick), 27
Misconduct Summary
POR: Sonnett (Caution), 51
CHI: Ertz (Caution), 64
POR: Boureille (Caution), 67
CHI: Press (Caution), 90+1
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Franch, D Boureille, D Sonnett, D Menges, D Cox, M Henry, M Long, M Horan (Johnson, 90+1), F Nadim (Weber, 75), F Sinclair ©, F Raso
Substitutes Not Used: GK Eckerstrom, D Johnson, D Klingenberg, F Morris
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Three players tied, 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Nadim, 2); FOULS: 14 (Boureille, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 5
CHI: GK Naeher, D Gilliland (McCaffrey, 74), D Johnson (Comeau, 64), D Naughton, D Short, M Huerta, M Colaprico, M DiBernardo, M Ertz, F Press ©, F Hoy (Mautz, 66)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Dalton, D Proffitt, D Gorden, M Kaskie
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Press, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Press, 3); FOULS: 16 (Press, 3); OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Eduardo Jeff
4th Official: Cephas Quartson
Attendance: 14,471
Weather: Partly cloudy, 57 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
