PORTLAND, Ore — Portland Thorns FC scored twice before halftime on Sunday at Providence Park, defeating Kansas City NWSL, 2-0, to remain in first place in the National Women's Soccer League.
A 10th-minute own goal from Kansas City was built on in the 42nd minute by Marissa Everett's second goal of the year, helping Portland secure their eighth win in 12 games this season and run their lead atop the NWSL to six points over NJ/NY Gotham FC.
- MATCH DETAILS: Stats | Lineups | Play-by-play
Sunday's shutout was the fourth in five games since Portland's five Olympians left to prepare for the Tokyo games. The team's who goals increase the Thorns' league-leading total to 19 at the halfway point of the regular season.
Next Up: Thorns FC will travel to Washington this week to face the Spirit at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday at Segra Field.
Goal-scoring plays
10' — GOAL (POR) — Sophia Smith's layoff into the left of the penalty box pays off when Meghan Klingenberg drives a ball through the Kansas City six-yard box, forcing a dropping defense to redirect the ball into their own goal.
42' — GOAL (POR) — After Portland plays short on a corner kick, Smith drives a ball near post and into Marissa Everett, with the deflection ending up in the back of Kansas City's net to make it 2-0.
Notes
- Thorns FC extended their unbeaten streak to five games overall (4-0-1).
- Portland recorded its eighth clean sheet of 2021, which leads the NWSL.
- Thorns FC are unbeaten in their last five matches at home (4-0-1), and lead the league in home shutouts (5).
- Portland is 3-0-0 across all competitions this year against KC NWSL.
- Everett is the fifth Thorns FC player to record two or more goals this season.
- Portland has the most players in the NWSL with two or more goals in 2021.
- Everett’s goal was her second this season, and third of her career.
- Smith is the ninth player for Portland to tally an assist this year.
- Portland leads the NWSL in goals (19), shots (244), shots on goal (84), and chances created (182).
- Thorns FC have the most players (9) with an assist in the league this season.
- Portland has not allowed a first half goal in its last nine matches.
- Thorns FC have allowed just three goals in their last nine games, while posting seven shutouts.
- Portland is 8-1-0 overall this season when scoring first.
- Thorns FC attempted 20 or more shots for the eighth time this season.
- Portland has scored within the first 15 minutes of a match six times this season.
- Thorns FC have recorded 15 or more shots in 11 of their 12 regular-season matches.
- Portland has recorded 10 or more chances in all 12 matches this season.
- Meghan Klingenberg led the team in chances created (4), and leads the league this season with 33.
- Raisa Strom-Okimoto made her Thorns FC debut.
- Mark Parsons recorded his 77th career NWSL win, which ranks as the second-most wins in league history.
Boxscore
Portland Thorns FC (8-3-1, 25pts) vs. Kansas City NWSL (0-8-4, 4pts)
August 1, 2021 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Portland Thorns FC 2 0 2
KC NWSL 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
POR: Kristen Edmonds (Own Goal), 10
POR: Everett (Smith), 42
Misconduct Summary:
POR: Moultrie (caution), 87
Lineups:
POR: GK Bixby, D Kuikka (Westphal, 83), D Menges ©, D Hubly, D Klingenberg (Pogarch, 76), M Rodríguez, M Salem, M Boureille, M Everett (Moultrie, 75), F Charley (Nally, 84), F Smith (Strom-Okimoto, 90+3)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Hogan, D Betfort, M Porter
TOTAL SHOTS: 20 (Smith, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Smith, 3); FOULS: 10 (Boureille, 3); OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: 2
KC: GK Rowland, D Weber, D Edmonds, D Corsie ©, D K. Pickett, M McCain (Larroquette, 73), M Vincent (Listro, 73), M V. Pickett, F Jenkins (Vasconcelos, 60), F Mace (LaBonta, 55), F Hamilton
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nelson, D Del Fava, M Nolf, F Johnson, F Ship
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Hamilton, 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Hamilton, Mace, 1); FOULS: 11 (Hamilton, V. Pickett, 2); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 6
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Assistant Referees: Melissa Beck, CJ Koll
4th Official: Luis Trujillo
Attendance:16,246
Weather: Sunny, 79 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
