Portland Thorns FC recorded another clean sheet on Sunday and have now earned consecutive shutouts multiple times, as they played to a draw against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Providence Park.
Let’s take a look at the match By The Numbers:
2
Portland’s defense conceded just two shots on goal to Gotham. Across 18 halves in the regular season, the Thorns backline has allowed two or fewer shots on target by their opponent 14 times, including twice more Sunday. Gotham recorded a single shot on goal in each half.
6
The Thorns defense has kicked off the 2021 campaign in impressive fashion, recording six shutouts through the first nine games of the regular season.
In fact, every time the Thorns have earned a point during the regular season, they’ve shut out their opponent.
38
Goalkeeper Bella Bixby grew up less than 10 miles from Providence Park. Today, she made her home debut as a member of Thorns FC – 38 months after she first signed with the club. The hometown ‘keeper was selected in the third round of the 2018 NWSL College Draft and first signed with the club on April 20, 2018.
Bixby is no stranger to playing at Providence Park, however. She competed against the Thorns while in college at Oregon State University in a 2016 preseason tournament.
And a By The Numbers bonus stat for the other side of the field …
190
With 22 shots against Gotham, the Thorns have a league-best 190 total shots through nine regular-season matches. Portland has attempted 15 or more shots in each of its regular-season games thus far, averaging just over 21 shots per game.
The team’s 22 shots is the second-most attempted by the Thorns this season. The season-high is 28 vs. Louisville on June 5.
Full matchday round-up on draw vs Gotham FC:
- RECAP | Thorns move into tie for first place with draw vs. Gotham FC
- HIGHLIGHTS | Portland earns another shutout in Gotham FC draw
- FARLEY | Finishing in focus after Thorns’ scoreless draw
- WATCH | Parsons focused on details after draw with Gotham
- POSTGAME | Weaver on a ‘frustrating’ day for Thorns offense
- WATCH | Oregonian Bixby on emotional Providence Park debut
- DAY IN PHOTOS | A Summer celebration at Providence Park
