PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC squared off against the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in their second match of three as part of the Thorns Spring Invitational presented by Tillamook Yogurt at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland on Wednesday night. Forwards Ifeoma Onumonu and Mallory Weber each tallied goals for Portland in the first half — their first goals of the preseason – while U.S. U-23s forward Catarina Macario recorded a second-half brace in a 2-2 draw.
In the first match of the day, the Chicago Red Stars earned a 1-0 win against the Houston Dash as midfielder Sofia Huerta tallied the only goal of the match in the 10th minute.
Return of key internationals
Forward Christine Sinclair, midfielder Lindsey Horan and defender Emily Sonnett rejoined the team after the conclusion of national team duty during the last FIFA window, making their first appearances of the 2018 preseason for Thorns FC.
Game format
Playing the second of three 90-minute matches during the preseason tournament, several additional players made their first appearance of the preseason for Portland, including goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and forward Tyler Lussi. A total of 21 players saw action in the match.
Key plays
Midfielder Midge Purce recorded Portland’s first chance of the match. Collecting the ball near midfield, Purce dribbled past several U.S. U-23 players and fired a powerful strike from the edge of the box towards the left corner that went just wide of the left post.
Onumonu opened the scoring for Thorns FC in the 19th minute, tallying her first goal of the preseason. Midfielder Lindsey Horan picked off a pass near midfield and sprinted downfield, slipping a quick pass to Onumonu making a run into the box; she finished from close range into the bottom, left corner of the goal.
Portland doubled its lead in the 34th minute as Weber recorded her first goal of the preseason. Defender Meghan Klingenberg delivered a pinpoint cross from the left wing for Weber running towards the spot. Weber controlled the ball with a header and then, with her second touch, directed a looping header into the back of the net.
In the 36th minute, Franch reacted quickly making a key stop, tipping a shot from close range near the right post by U.S. U-23 midfielder Dorian Bailey just over the bar and out for a corner kick.
The U.S. U-23s added a goal in the 58th minute of the match when Catarina Macario placed a shot from a tight angle near the left post into the right side netting. Macario completed the brace in the 90th minute, curling a well-placed shot from just inside the box into the top, right corner of the goal to level the score.
Next Game
Thorns FC conclude the tournament with a match against the Houston Dash on Saturday, March 17; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Portland Thorns FC vs. U.S. U-23 WNT (NWSL Preseason)
March 14, 2018 – Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 2 0 2
U.S. U-23 WNT 0 2 2
Scoring Summary:
POR: Onumonu (Horan), 19
POR: Weber (Klingenberg), 34
USA: Macario, 58
USA: Macario (Weaver), 90
Misconduct Summary:
n/a
Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Franch, D Ball (Boulos, 35), D Sonnett, D Reynolds (Yu, 46), D Klingenberg (Hubly, 35) , D Purce (Smith, 46), M Horan (Morris, 64), M Sinclair © (Herndon, 64), M Boureille (Salem, 46), F Weber (Lussi, 46, Eckler, 64), F Onumonu (Charley, 46)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Eckerstrom
TOTAL SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4
USA: GK Geist, D Staab, D Jean (Ashley, 62), D McGrady, D Riehl © (Jean, 62), M Bailey (Jacobs, 76), M Boissiere (Cheslik, 46), M DiBiasi (McCoy, 87), M James (Roberts, 46), F Macario, F Monaghan (Weaver, 41)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Dederick, F King, D McClernon, M Fisher, M Stevens, F Bockin, D Mace
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 6; OFFSIDES: 7; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 0
Attendance: 2,217
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 57 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
