LISLE, Ill. – Forwards Danielle Foxhoven and Christine Sinclair registered back-to-back goals during an 11-minute span in the second-half as Portland Thorns FC earned their second straight victory, a 2-0 win against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday before 2,855 fans at Benedictine Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.
Thorns FC (2-0-1, 7pts) remain unbeaten and in first-place overall through the first three games of the National Women’s Soccer League season as goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc recorded three saves for her first shutout of the campaign – and the first clean sheet in Thorns FC history.
A second-half substitute, Foxhoven was perfectly positioned to convert a rebound following the initial shot from forward Alex Morgan at the top of the box in the 70th minute. Morgan fired a shot directly at oncoming Red Stars goalkeeper Erin McLeod, a Canadian international, and the rebound bounced to Foxhoven, who took the ball in stride and scored the go-ahead goal for Portland.
Morgan attempted a team-high four shots on goal as Thorns FC held the advantage in shots 13-8, including 9-3 on goal. Chicago (0-1-1, 1pts) did not attempt a shot in the first half.
Sinclair added an insurance goal for Thorns FC in the 81st minute following a nice passing combination by Foxhoven and Morgan. Foxhoven, a former University of Portland standout, dribbled into space before laying the ball off to Morgan, who found Sinclair unmarked at the top of the box. Sinclair calmly slotted a right-footed effort inside the far post for a 2-0 lead. The Canadian international has earned at least a point in three straight matches for Portland, previously tallying a goal against FC Kansas City (April 13) and an assist against Seattle Reign FC (April 21). Sinclair leads the league in scoring with five points (2 goals, 1 assist).
Sinclair and Foxhoven each recorded three shots for Portland.
Thorns FC continue their three-game road trip on Saturday, May 4, against the Washington Spirit at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.; kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. (Pacific).
Notes:
- Thorns FC have earned a league-high five goals through three games this season.
- Morgan, who tallied an assist on Saturday, has earned at least a point in back-to-back games.
- Portland has received four of its five total goals from four different players (Sinclair 2, Foxhoven, Morgan and Marian Dougherty).
- Midfielder Elizabeth Guess, acquired on April 24, made her Thorns FC debut as a 90th-minute substitute for Morgan.
Portland Thorns FC (2-0-1, 7pts) vs. Chicago Red Stars (0-1-1, 1pts)
April 27, 2013 – Benedictine Sports Complex (Lisle, Ill.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
POR 0 2 2
CHI 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
POR – Foxhoven 70
POR – Sinclair (Morgan) 81
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Mautz (caution) 69
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Karina LeBlanc; D Marian Dougherty, D Rachel Buehler, D Kathryn Williamson, D Nikki Marshall, M Becky Edwards, M Allie Long (Courtney Wetzel, 89), M Angie Kerr (Danielle Foxhoven, 46), F Nikki Washington, F Christine Sinclair (capt.), F Alex Morgan (Elizabeth Guess, 90)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Adelaide Gay, D Jazmyne Avant
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Morgan, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 9 (Morgan, 4); FOULS: 9 (Edwards, 3); OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3
CHI: GK Erin McLeod; D Taryn Hemmings, D Carmelina Moscato, D Rachel Quon, D Lydia Vandenbergh, M Zakiya Bywaters (Julianne Sitch, 68), M Shannon Boxx (Maribel Dominguez, 78, M Lori Chalupny, M Leslie Osborne, M Alyssa Mautz (Jessica McDonald, 71), F Ella Masar
Substitutes Not Used: GK Taylor Vancil, D Jacqueline Santacaterina, D Michelle Wenino, M Dinora Garza, F Lauren Fowlkes, F Hanna Gilmore
TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Chalupny, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Chalupny, 2); FOULS: 10 (Chalupny, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: 7
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Adrienne McDonald, Jason White
Fourth Official: Donovan Noocha
Attendance: 2,855
Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
