PORTLAND, Ore. – Forward Sophia Smith scored a first-half hat trick and Portland Thorns FC defeated the U.S. U-23 Women's National Team 3-0 Tuesday night in the Thorns Preseason Tournament at Providence Park. Forward Christine Sinclair had two assists while goalkeeper Shelby Hogan and the Portland defense picked up the team's second straight clean sheet.
MATCH MOMENTS
3' - CHANCE (POR) - Forward Sophia Smith raced down the left side before cutting into to her right and fired a hard shot that forced a diving save from the U.S.'s goalkeeper Meagan McClelland.
21' - GOAL (POR) - The Thorns took a 1-0 lead when Sophia Smith received the ball from Christine Sinclair, cut through two defenders and hit her shot into the far top corner of the goal.
23' - GOAL (POR) - Two minutes later, Smith picked off a U.S. pass, took a few touches and scored her second goal of the night.
37' - GOAL (POR) - Smith earned a hat-trick on a beautiful pinpoint cross from Sinclair to make it 3-0 in the 37th minute.
74' - CHANCE (POR) - Morgan Weaver made a nice move to shed a defender on the left wing, cut into the area and hit a shot on frame that McClelland saved.
The Thorns finish preseason tournament play Friday, Mar. 11 when they take on the Chicago Red Stars at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, TICKETS). At 5pm PT that evening, the U.S. U-23s face OL Reign. Tickets are good for both matches.
Portland Thorns FC vs. U-23 USWNT (NWSL Preseason)
March 8, 2022 – Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Scoring Summary:
POR: Smith (Sinclair), 21
POR: Smith, 23
POR: Smith (Sinclair), 37
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups:
POR: GK Hogan, D Provenzano, D Menges (Hubly, 46), D Nally, D Porter, M Kuikka (Klingenberg, 78), M Beckman, M RodrÃguez (Everett, 63), M Ryan (Coffey, 46), F Smith (Betfort, 46), F Sinclair © (Weaver, 46)
Attendance: 5,223
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
