PORTLAND, Ore. – In their NWSL Fall Series opener, Portland Thorns FC delivered a resounding 3-0 victory over Utah Royals FC on Sunday at Providence Park. Simone Charley, debutant Sophia Smith, and Lindsey Horan all found the back of the net for Portland, who were playing in their first match at home since 2019. Goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom delivered four saves in the shutout.
- MATCHCENTER: Stats
Match Moments
21' - SHOT (POR) - Horan found space at a tough angle before playing in Christine Sinclair. Sinclair's flicked shot was saved by Abby Smith.
35' - GOAL (POR) - After receiving a long ball from Horan, Charley dribbled her way past two Utah defenders before putting a left-footed shot in the net. It was Charley's first ever goal at Providence Park.
50' - SAVE (POR) - With a diving save, Eckerstrom mothered a Tziarra King shot from outside the box.
72' - GOAL (POR) - Four minutes after coming on for her Thorns debut, Smith delivered her first professional goal, heading home a Meghan Klingenberg cross. The former No.1 draft pick had forced a corner moments earlier.
81' - GOAL (POR) - High pressure from the Thorns forced a tough pass from the Royals, leading to Horan blocking an attempted pass from Utah's goalkeeper directly into the goal.
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Next Game
With a 10-day break in between matches, Thorns FC continue NWSL Fall Series play by playing host to OL Reign on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Providence Park; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) and features a live stream available on Twitch.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Utah Royals FC
2020 NWSL Fall Series
Sept. 20, 2020 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 1 2 3
Utah Royals FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Charley (Horan), 35
POR: Smith (Klingenberg), 72
POR: Horan, 81
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Pogarch (caution), 88
POR: Klingenberg (caution), 90+4
Lineups:
POR: GK Eckerstrom, D Westphal (Pogarch, 45), D Menges, D Hubly (Sauerbrunn, 62), D Klingenberg, M Rodríguez, M Salem (Seiler, 70), M Horan, M Sinclair ©, F Lussi (Everett, 86), F Charley (Smith, 69)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Angerer, M Ogle
TOTAL SHOTS: 21 (Horan, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Horan, Smith, 2); FOULS: 7 (Seven players tied, 1); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 3
UTAH: GK Smith, D Ball, D Del Fava, D Bowen, D Maemone (Weber, 45), M Labonta, M Diallo, M Lytle (Boquete, 45), F King (Strom-Okimoto, 63), F Rodriguez (Ship, 63), F Ratcliffe
Substitutes Not Used: GK Lowder, D Vincent, M Leach
TOTAL SHOTS: 15 (Rodriguez, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Three players tied, 1); FOULS: 8 (Del Fava, Diallo, 2); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Assistant Referees: Corbyn May, Sya Magee
4th Official: Baboucarr Jallow
Weather: Partly cloudy, 68 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
