PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC closed out their regular-season campaign by setting a new NWSL single-season record with their 13th shutout of the season in a 0-0 draw against visiting North Carolina Courage Saturday night at Providence Park.
- MATCHCENTER: Stats and Boxscore
Goalkeeper Bella Bixby was credited with two saves and earned her ninth clean sheet in 14 appearances this season.
Pregame festivities saw Portland celebrate their 2021 NWSL Shield as well as a special recognition of retired players Britt Eckerstrom and Katherine Reynolds.
Match Moments
4' - CHANCE (POR) - Sophia Smith eluded three defenders in the NC box before sliding a pass to her right for forward Morgan Weaver. The striker's one-timed shot went wide of the left post.
18' - CHANCE (POR) - Christine Sinclair got free down the right side before sending in a cross. Lindsey Horan took a touch in the center of the box but the ball got away from her. Smith sped in and fired a shot that narrowly missed the near right post.
41' - CHANCE (POR) - Kelli Hubly played the ball down the line for Smith. In the near corner, Smith collected, deftly dribbled past her defender into the box and tried to curl a left-footed shot inside the far post but it went wide.
43' - CHANCE (POR) - Smith again had a good look on goal as she took a great pass from Weaver in the box and arrowed a shot on goal to force a save from NC goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
49' - CHANCE (POR) - Weaver pounced on a loose ball near the edge of the area, cut inside and pinged the right post with her shot.
61' - CHANCE (POR) - Horan dribbled to the endline, lifted a cross in front of goal that midfielder Yazmeen Ryan raced into head but just over the bar.
66' - SAVE (POR) - Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby thwarted NC's Jessica McDonald's near post attempt with a nice kick save.
-----------
As the No. 1 seed in the 2021 NWSL Playoffs, the Thorns have earned a quarterfinal bye and will host a semifinal match on Sunday, Nov. 14, at Providence Park. The Nov. 14 match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and kickoff time is TBD.
Portland Thorns FC (13-6-5, 44pts) vs. North Carolina Courage (9-9-6, 33pts)
Oct. 30, 2021 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
None
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups:
POR: GK Bixby, D Hubly, D Menges, D Sauerbrunn, D Klingenberg (Pogarch, 64), M Salem (Moultrie, 79), M Horan (Kuikka, 64), M Ryan, M Sinclair ©, F S. Smith (Lussi, 90+4) , F Weaver (Charley, 79)
Substitutes Not Used: GK A. Smith, D Nally, M Boureille, M Everett
TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Smith, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Smith, 3); FOULS: 13 (Smith, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 2
NCC: GK Murphy, D Mathias, D Kurtz, D Erceg ©, D Pickett, M Rodriguez, M O’Sullivan, M Roccaro, M Debinha, F McDonald, F L. Williams
Substitutes Not Used: GK Leshnak, D Fletcher, D Caldwell, M Agnew, M Speck, M Smith, F Ratcliffe, F Baisden, F James
TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Rodriguez, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Debinha, McDonald, 1); FOULS: 4 (Four players tied with 4); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 5
Referee: Greg Dopka
Assistant Referees: Jennifer Garner, Melissa Gonzales
4th Official: Jamie Padilla
Attendance: 17,584
Weather: Sunny, 57 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
Notes:
- Portland closed out the regular season in first place with a record of 13-6-5 (44 pts).
- Thorns FC set a new NWSL single-season record for shutouts (13).
- Portland recorded its fifth shutout all-time against North Carolina.
- Thorns FC finished the season with their second-most wins in club history (13), behind the 14 they recorded in 2017.
- Portland conceded the fewest goals in NWSL this season (17).
- Portland’s 17 goals against is the fewest in club history, and tied the NWSL record for fewest goals allowed in a season (North Carolina, 2018).
- Thorns FC registered the second-most goals in the league (33).
- Bella Bixby recorded her ninth shutout in her 16th appearance this season.
- Bixby has the second-most shutouts in the NWSL this year.
- Angela Salem was named the Supporters Player of the Year.
- Salem is the only player to appear in all 23 matches this season.
- Sophia Smith led the team in chances created with four.
- Christine Sinclair registered a team-high 11 possessions gained.
- Yazmeen Ryan recorded her first career start.
